10 years ago today, Anna Nicole Smith died in the Hard Rock Hotel in Florida, bringing to an end the life of a pneumatic, platinum beauty whose personal life brought forth a catalogue of reality-defying chapters.
We’ve had our share of blonde bombshells in the decade since - think Courtney Stodden, Amanda Holden, Scarlett Johansson, Lady Gaga, the tireless Madonna and Debbie Harry - but no one has claimed the headlines for such a jaw-dropping series of events as the glamour model and reality TV star.
In the space of a few short years before her death from an overdose of prescription drugs, her life became the stuff of tabloid headlines.
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In 1995, she became a widow when her husband of one year, oil tycoon J Howard Marshall, died aged 90. She swore their 73-year age-difference hadn’t got in the way of their love, and, in the decade that followed, her suit to battle his family and share in the wealth of his estate took her all the way to the Supreme Court.
Despite all this, her last few months were among the most traumatic of all.
Her daughter Danielynn was born on 7 September 2006, with her paternity disputed both before and after her birth. Three days later, Anna Nicole’s son Daniel came to visit his new sibling in hospital, and collapsed and died in his mother’s room.
The same month, Anna Nicole and her attorney turned boyfriend exchanged vows in a commitment ceremony aboard a boat off the coast of the Bahamas, but her happiness was not to last.
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On 8 February 2007, she was found unconscious in her Florida hotel room. Although her friends tried to perform CPR and she was rushed to hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause later ruled to be a drug overdose, bringing to a tragic close the story of one of Hollywood’s most distinctive, ultimately doomed characters.
NYC: Heatherette - Fall 2004 - Backstage
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Anna Nicole Smith poses backstage at the Heatherette fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week at Bryant Park February 12, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
2005 LA Pride Parade
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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 12: Anna Nicole Smith rides at the 2005 West Hollywood Gay Pride Parade, June 12, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Getty Images)
Anna Nicole Smith
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SYDNEY, NSW - MARCH 03: Anna Nicole Smith arrives at the inaugural MTV Australia Video Music Awards at Luna Park on March 3, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. According to reports, Smith, 39, died at Memorial Regional Hospital after being found unconscious in a hotel room on February 8, 2007 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
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MTV Australia Video Music Awards - Media Room
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SYDNEY, NSW - MARCH 03: TV personality Anna Nicole Smith poses in the media room at the inaugural MTV Australia Video Music Awards at Luna Park on March 3, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
Roseanne Laughs With Anna Nicole Smith
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NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Actress Roseanne (L) laughs with model Anna Nicole Smith before the start of the Lane Bryant Spring/Summer 2001 Lingerie Show at Studio 54 in Manhattan 05 February 2001. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
Comedy Central Roast Of Pamela Anderson - Arrivals
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CULVER CITY, CA - AUGUST 07: Actress Anna Nicole Smith arrives at the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson at Sony Studios on August 7, 2005 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
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(FILES) In this 02 July 2005 file photo
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Philadelphia, UNITED STATES: (FILES) In this 02 July 2005 file photo US model and television personality Anna Nicole Smith poses for the media during the Live 8 concert at the Philadelphia Art Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Smith died 08 February 2007 after being found unconscious in a Florida hotel room, US media reported. The buxom, platinum-blonde Texan former Guess spokeswoman and Playboy Playmate, 39, was found unconscious in a room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, north of Miami, WFOR television reported. Paramedics did CPR on the model, commercial spokeswoman and sometime actress who was taken to a local medical center, the report said. Her teenaged son Daniel recently died in the Bahamas, just days after Smith gave birth to a baby girl whose paternity has been disputed by a former boyfriend and Smith's attorney. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA/FILES (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
Anna Nicole Smith Signs Autographs In Grand Central Station
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NEW YORK - APRIL 7: Model Anna Nicole Smith signs autographs at Grand Central Station to kick off the new National Enquirer magazine on April 7, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
MTV Australia Video Music Awards - Show
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SYDNEY, NSW - MARCH 03: Anna Nicole Smith on stage at the inaugural MTV Australia Video Music Awards at Luna Park on March 3, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)
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Premiere of MGM's "Be Cool" - Afterparty
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LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 14: Model Anna Nicole Smith poses at the after party for the Premiere of MGM's 'Be Cool' at the Hollywood Palladium on February 14, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Anna Nicole Smith Appears In PETA's "Gentlemen Prefer Fur-Free Blondes"
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LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 7: Model Anna Nicole Smith poses on Rodeo Drive as she unveils a poster to promote a new 'Gentlemen Prefer Fur-Free Blondes' ad for People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals December 7, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
VH1 - Big In 04 - Show
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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 1: Model Anna Nicole Smith accepts the Big Makeover of 04 Award on stage during the VH1 Big in 04 at the Shrine Auditorium on December 1, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
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VH1 - Big in '04- Arrivals
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LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 1: Model Anna Nicole Smith attends the VH1 - Big in '04 at the Shrine Auditorium December 1, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
The 32nd Annual American Music Awards - Press Room
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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 14: Model Anna Nicole Smith is removed from the press room by security at the 32nd Annual 'American Music Awards' at the Shrine Auditorium November 14, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
The 32nd Annual American Music Awards - Press Room
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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 14: Model Anna Nicole Smith poses in the press room at the 32nd Annual 'American Music Awards' at the Shrine Auditorium November 14, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)
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The 32nd Annual American Music Awards - Show
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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 14: Model Anna Nicole Smith announces the performance by Kanye West during the 32nd Annual 'American Music Awards' at the Shrine Auditorium November 14, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
NV: World Music Awards - After Party
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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 15: Model Anna Nicole Smith (left), and musicians Courtney Love (center) and Avril Lavigne at the official after party for the 2004 World Music Awards, September 15, 2005 at Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show was being broadcast live from Las Vegas on September 15 for the first time after being held in Monte Carlo for 15 years. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Mao Mag Issue #3 Party Hosted By Anna Nicole Smith
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 7: Anna Nicole Smith attends the Mao Mag Issue #3 Party Hosted By Anna Nicole Smith at Mao Space at The Altman Building on September 7, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Bowers/Getty Images)
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G-Phoria - The Award Show 4 Gamers
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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 31: Model Anna Nicole Smith, and her son Daniel Smith arrive at G-Phoria - The Award Show 4 Gamers held on July 31, 2004 at the Shrine Auditorium, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
The "Tonight Show" Starring Jay Leno
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BURBANK, CA - MAY 7: Model Anna Nicole Smith (L) reveals her tattoo on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' at the NBC Studios on May 7, 2004 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Celebs At 130th Running Of The Kentucky Derby
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LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 1: Actress and model Anna Nicole Smith attends the 130th Running of the Kentucky Derby May 1, 2004 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images)
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Kings v Lakers
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LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 26: Model Anna Nicole Smith and Actor Danny DeVito share a laugh during a break in the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 26, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
NYC: Heatherette - Fall 2004 - Runway
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 12: Anna Nicole Smith walks the runway at the Heatherette fashion show on February 12, 2004 during Olympus 2004 Fashion Week, in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)
Anna Nicole, Howard K.Stern And Kim Walther
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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 13: Actress Anna Nicole Smith, Attorney Howard K. Stern and Kim Walther attend a roast in honor of Larry Flynt at the Friar's Club July 13, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Simon Cobb/Getty Images)
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11th Annual Night Of 100 Stars Gala Oscar Party
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402720 16: Former model Anna Nicole Smith poses at the 11th Annual Night of 100 Stars Gala Oscar party at the Beverly Hills Hotel March 24, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Lane Bryant Lingerie Show
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400619 23: Plus-size model Anna Nicole Smith poses on the runway during the Lane Bryant Lingerie Fashion Show February 5, 2002 in New York City. (Photo by George De Sota/Getty Image)
Anna Nicole Smith to Pay Legal Costs
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385218 05: FILE PHOTO Model Anna Nicole Smith walks down the runway February 5, 2001 at the Lane Bryant fashion show at Studio 54 in New York City. A Texas judge said July 10, 2001 that Smith, a former Playboy Playmate of the Year, will have to pay $500,000 in attorney''s fees, as he started to close a lengthy fight over her late 90-year-old husband''s oil fortune. She was also ordered to pay part of $1.2 million in court costs resulting from her 6-year-long battle over late husband J. Howard Marshall II''s estate. Smith was 26 years old when she married the 89-year-old wheelchair-bound tycoon, four years after they met at a Houston strip club. (Photo by George De Sota/Newsmakers)
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Anna Nicole Smith Takes Inheritance Case To Supreme Court
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WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 28: Following oral arguments in her case, Former Playboy playmate Anna Nicole Smith leaves the U.S. Supreme Court February 28, 2006 in Washington DC. Smith is involved in a case before the court regarding the estate of her late husband, Texas oilman J. Howard Marshall II. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Anna Nicole's grave in the Bahamas
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Nassau, BAHAMAS: The grave of Anna Nicole Smith is pictured during sunset 02 March 2007 at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Nassau in the Bahamas. Former Playboy model and billionaire's widow Anna Nicole Smith was finally laid to rest at a pink-splashed funeral in the Bahamas following three weeks of legal battles over her body. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT SULLIVAN (Photo credit should read ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP/Getty Images)