Anna Nicole Smith's Life and Death

The sudden death of Anna Nicole Smith on Thursday, February 9, 2007 shocked the world. Only 39 years old, Anna swept through the entertainment world in her short life. She was a Guess Jeans model, Playboy Playmate and reality TV star. Her untimely death left behind her baby daughter Dannielyn and her lawyer-boyfriend Howard K. Stern.

Smith was staying at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. At 1:38 p.m. Thursday, her private nurse alerted hotel staff that Anna Nichole needed medical attention. Smith's bodyguard performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived. She was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood at 2:10 p.m. and died shortly after arrival. Cause of death is still unknown, pending autopsy, but Smith's attorney, Ron Rale, said in a statment to reporters that she had suffered symptoms akin to the flu in the past couple of days.

Smith's sister, Donna Hogan, made this statement to reporters the same day Anna died. "We are saddened and heartbroken by my sister's death. No matter what our differences have been over the years, Anna was still our blood and she will be missed terribly. She was a woman who was determined to get out of her small town in Texas and make a name for herself."

Anna Nicole, born Vickie Smith, started her entertainment career as a topless dancer at Gigi's a Houston club. She first appeared in Playboy Magazine in 1992, and was named Playmate of the Year in 1993. The same year she modeled for Guess Jean ads, began her appearance in movies in 1994, including the popular "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult."

That same year she married elderly oil billionaire J. Howard Marshall. Their relationship had begun in 1991 when they met at Gigi's. During their two-year relationship, he allegedly showered her with gifts and several time asked for her hand in marriage. On June 27, 1994, Smith, then age 26, and Marshall, age 89, were married in Houston. He died 13 months later and Smith began a legal battle with son, E. Pierce Marshall, for half of her late husband's $1.6 billion estate.

From 2002 to 2004, Smith starred in her own realtiy TV show, "The Anna Nicole Show" on the E! Entertainment network. It rose to top of the network's ratings. The show's tagline was "It's not supposed to be funny... it just is" and it followed Anna through her "regular" life such as trips to the dentist and appearances at celebrity parties.

Anna Nicole Smith will be missed by many fans. Her passionate drive to the top of the entertainment industry serves as an inspiration for many young women who dream of bigger things in life. Fan emails posted around the internet lament the loss.

"My goodness...... My heart goes out to her and her children. This is a deep hurt. Anna has been through a lot and the media did not make it any better." -Donneshia, Richmond, California

"I remember thinking how gorgeous Anna was when she first appeared in Playboy. She was a throwback to the days when "curvy" was in." -Dave, St. Louis, Missouri

"What a tragic end to such a colorful person. My heart goes out to her infant daughter who will no doubt be the center of a long and bitter battle." -Daniel, San Antonio, Texas

"After all the chaos, lawsuits, and drama, I'll always remember Anna Nicole as that gorgeous model from the Guess Jeans ads." -Sam, Park Ridge, Illinois

"She came from nothing and nowhere and determined to make something of herself. With questionable grace perhaps, but also with sheer guts and determination -- gotta love that! I'm astonished at how sad I am about her death. I do not think I have ever said this about someone I did not know -- but I will miss her." -Annie, Gratz, Pennsylvania

"She was a gifted soul that wasn't meant for this world. She made us laugh and cry and look at ourselves. She made the mistakes that we all made and wasn't afraid to make them. She was always breathtaking and gave off a light. She was a mother and caring person. You will be missed but not forgotten R.I.P Anna, we you love you dearly." -Trace, Sacramento, California