On June 27, 1994, a wedding in the White Dove Chapel in Houston, Texas, captured global attention. Anna Nicole Smith, a 26-year-old model known for her work with Playboy and Guess, married J. Howard Marshall II, an 89-year-old oil magnate and one of Texas’s wealthiest men.
A Significant Age Gap and a Whirlwind Romance
The couple, pictured in wedding photos both dressed in white – Marshall in a wheelchair and impeccable tuxedo, and Smith in a satin gown with a plunging neckline and white roses – appeared radiant despite the absence of guests on the groom’s side. They first met in 1991 at Gigi’s, a Houston strip club. Marshall, recently widowed and grieving the loss of a companion, sought distraction at the club, where he encountered Vickie Lynn Hogan, who later became known as Anna Nicole Smith. At the time, Smith was separated and raising a young child.
Prior to the wedding, Anna Nicole Smith’s career had been gaining momentum. She starred in advertising campaigns for Guess and appeared in films including The Naked Gun 33 1/3 and Topless.
A Contentious Will and a Tragic End
Despite questions surrounding the motivations behind the marriage, both individuals professed their love for one another. “I loved him very much,” Anna Nicole stated in an interview, while Marshall reportedly assured his family that she was the love of his life.
Following the wedding, Anna Nicole Smith continued her career in Los Angeles while Marshall remained in Houston. They met sporadically for lunch or to spend time together, but largely lived apart. The situation became more complicated when Marshall was hospitalized and his son, Pierce, assumed control, limiting Anna Nicole’s access to her husband.
Marshall died on August 4, 1995, leaving a $1.6 billion fortune, but notably excluding Anna Nicole Smith from his will. This omission sparked a lengthy legal battle that ultimately concluded in 2018, with Marshall’s daughter, Dannielynn, not receiving any portion of the inheritance.
Anna Nicole Smith’s life deteriorated after her husband’s death. Her son, Daniel, died in 2006 from a drug overdose, and just months later, on February 7, 2007, Anna Nicole Smith herself died from an accidental overdose. Both are buried in Nassau, Bahamas, alongside a portion of Marshall’s ashes, symbolically maintaining their union even in death.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall II meet?
Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall II met in 1991 at Gigi’s, a strip club in Houston, Texas. Marshall was seeking distraction after the loss of his previous companion, and Smith was working as a dancer at the club.
What was the value of J. Howard Marshall II’s fortune?
J. Howard Marshall II’s fortune was valued at $1.6 billion at the time of his death in 1995.
Where are Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall II buried?
Anna Nicole Smith and her son Daniel are buried in Nassau, Bahamas, alongside a portion of J. Howard Marshall II’s ashes.
Given the protracted legal battles and personal tragedies surrounding this marriage, what lasting impact might this case have on perceptions of relationships with significant age gaps and wealth disparities?
