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Your thoughts on the death of a centerfold

Posted: Saturday, February 24, 2007 8:01 PM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under:

Even though the life of Anna Nicole Smith was defined by tragedy and high drama, the news of her death still came as a shock.

Controversy and scandal, success and failure trailed Anna Nicole from the moment she came into public view — make that full view — as a Playboy centerfold 15 years ago.  Her sudden and still mysterious death today is a final ironic chapter for a woman who modeled herself after her idol, Marilyn Monroe.

And this week, it may have been one of the strangest court battles you've ever seen: Since the death of Anna Nicole Smith more than two weeks ago a battalion of lawyers has been fighting over her final resting place.

Meanwhile, another fight is raging over the question of who fathered Smith's baby girl, an infant who could inherit millions.

But it was the complex and often colorful court battle over Smith's remains that riveted the nation over the past few days. Click here to read the Dateline report on the legal drama. Click here to read the interesting quotes from Judge Seidlen.

Use the comments section, below, to share your thoughts on the death of a centerfold.

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Comments

Perhaps she is finally at peace

Susan B (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 3:29 PM)

I think Anna Nicole Smith was a very sad, tragic person, who was taken advantage of and made to suffer by some of the major people in her life. I also think the judge in California that is requiring her body to be held from any type of burial, is completely out-of-line. Let the poor tragic woman go to her rest.

Nancy Lowell, Milo, Maine (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 3:54 PM)

step off, vultures! Let her rest....

mary, mankato, mn (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 4:00 PM)

My hope is that now she can rest in peace.Everyone makes mistakes.

Mary (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 4:01 PM)

Where can one send a sympathy card to her family?

Mandy K (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 4:14 PM)

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY OF ANNA NICLOLE SMITH MAY SHE REST IN PEACE

KIKI (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 4:35 PM)

I am a French Canadian woman. I obviously doesn't know Nicole, but like many people, I saw her on t.v., magazines, etc...To me, she always appears to have such a vulnerable side. I would have like, with what?, a touch of magic, just to have the chance to hold her in my arms and let her feel peace, honesty...She lost a child, I did too...The strenght to go on with your life is such a difficult one...Unfortunatly, different country, different environnement...I just wished she could have it differently....Go in Peace Nicole.... Marie Claude De Sève mcdeseve@hotmail.com

Marie Claude De Sève (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 4:37 PM)

I've actually always like Anna Nicole. I am very sad about what happened and also would have liked to just give her a hug and let her know that I would be there for her and not judge her...no one is perfect...we all make mistakes...I really hate the fact that people now are still attacking her...they need to worry about their own lives...ANNA, I WILL MISS YOU!

Griselda, Fort Worth, Texas (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 5:09 PM)

Anna Nicole did suffer through out her short life, some of the tragedy she brought on herself. Who cares if she married someone 63 years older than herself, she made an old man happy. She had a distasteful Reality Show, it was on for 2 years so someone must have watched it. Her son died, what a true tragedy for her, I couldn't even imagine losing a child. Now there is a 5 month old little girl who no longer has a mommy. Who in this world is perfect? So most of us are lucky enough to have our inappropriate times kept off the front page, and off Entertainment tonight. She was who she was, and she was a real person and she deserves some respect. If for no other reason, so that when her 5 month old is old enough to go to the library and read about her mother she doesn't read all the trash people had to say. Regardless of what she did, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. She's gone let her go in peice. This is just the same as when Marilyn Monroe died. Poor woman probably turned over in her grave, god knows how many times. Tragedy just let it be. I also want to send my deepest sympathies to her family, I am truly sorry or your loss.

Donna, San Diego, CA (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 5:13 PM)

Anna, You will be missed by a lot of people. I have looked up to since I was a little girl. I loved you lots and will miss very much. I am so glade you are in a better place and don't have to put up with the drama in this world anymore.

Crystal Strickland, Cedartown, Georgia (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 5:14 PM)

If nothing else I pray for Anna Nicole to have the peace in death that seemed to escape her in life. Was it wrong for her to marry someone older than her? Certainly at the age her husband was when she met him he had more life experience than she did. Did anyone ever think that possibly he took the advantage of the situation? A broke, young woman struggling to raise a son offered a chance to have security. Sure she was a dancer, it paid the bills. Should she have just went on welfare? Then hubby dies and leaves her at the mercy of his family. Finally after an intense courtroom drama played out in full view fades, she begins life again. Giving birth to her daughter only to have her firstborn and only son die tragically 3 days later. How would one cope? Surely we have all made poor decisions, imagine if every choice you made was played out in the limelight. May she finally be at peace and her daughter have a chance to live a normal life away from the greedy people suing to be her father to get their hands on her inheritance.

Rosemarie Berg, Hermiston, Oregon (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 5:21 PM)

If the nurse found her, why did the body guard do CPR? And why did it take 20 minutes for hotel and emergency crews to respond? I was just wondering...

Melissa (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 5:33 PM)

I PRAY THAT HER DAUGHTER WILL BE BLESSED WITH SOMEONE THAT HAS HER BEST INTEREST AT HEART...NOT MONEY HUNGRY INDIVIDUALS....PRAY FOR HER MOM CAUSE SHE THINK THIS IS THE TIME FOR I TOLD U SO'S AND THAT WILL KEEP HER FACE IN THE CAMERA...IT SEEMS SHE NEVER HAD HER BEST INTEREST EVER....WHATEVER MISTAKES THIS LADY MADE IN HER LIFE SHE WAS STILL HUMAN AND I PRAY HER SOULS AT PEACE AWAY FROM THE HIGHER THAN MIGHTY JUDGEMENTAL PEOPLE THAT LOOK AND FIND YOUR FLAWS UNTIL THEIR FLAWS ARE REVELED

TRACY ROBINS,SAN ANTONIO,TX (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 5:55 PM)

i just think that it is very, very, sad and i hope that her mother does not get anything from her estate. i realize that anna may have been a black sheep of her family, but her mother could of done more for her. Her mom going on tv and stating that she may have had something to do with her son's death is just plain wrong. Anyone could see how much she loved her son and she would never do anything to harm him. It is just a tragic all around

Lori, New Jersey (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 5:57 PM)

Please, Please, everybody let the poor woman rest in peace. You didn`t while she was alive, which probably contributed to her stress level, no-one left her to mourn her beloved son Daniel, the vultures were still picking at her. I lost a daughter many years ago, and until this happens to you, you have no idea at all of the pain. PLEASE LET HER REST IN PEACE, NOW, WITH HER BELOVED DANIEL, AND HER HUSBAND. There is a verse, I can`t think of it now, but it is well known, God saw she was weary and took her into his arms for everlasting peace.

Carene Williams. (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 5:59 PM)

I feel so sorry for the baby. Who in the hell is going to raise that poor child? I just hope it wasn't drugs or anything stupid like that. What happens if neither one of the men ( including Zsa Zsa's ex as well) are the father

Nelly Sajous, Bridgeport CT (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 6:00 PM)

There was something vulnerable about her. She made you want to take her home and keep her safe from harm. She may have been "trashy" to most but she had more class than Paris Hilton or Brittney Spears. She spent her life fighting, it wasn't handed to her on a golden platter. She wasn't dragging her kids out all hours of the night drinking and popping bubblegum!

Gail Marquez, Bakersfield, CA (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 6:00 PM)

It is beginning to sound like it MAY NOT have been foul play and that would make me feel better.She did not deserve to die,but certainly not by ill means. My sympathy goes out to her mother and her daughter and once it is determined what the cause of death was the next step is to determine paternity.It is vital for this child and I hope that they do not drag that out.It's very sad.I hope she is with Daniel.

JANICE NEW ORLEANS,LOUISIANA (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 6:24 PM)

The DEEPEST OF THE SIMPATHIES out TO HER FAMILY. SHE will FOREVER BE remembered as another ICON of POPULAR CULTURE. HER IMAGE will remind us all of also a HUMAN BEING that struggled FROM FAME AND FORTUNE but in the end BECAME, ANOTHER victim of WORLD MASS MEDIA COVERAGE. MAY SHE LIVE FOREVER, ANNA NICOLE SMITH...

Ernesto Midence (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 6:31 PM)

we will miss anna nicole smith she was a beautiful woman who lost alot of wieght and give birth to a 5 month little girl and lost a son and was despress on everything that was going on in her life and she pass away at least she will be at peace.

maggie, rhode island (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 6:40 PM)

Anna Nicole Smith was a woman among women ~ she did what she wanted, when she wanted and wherever she wanted to do it. She chose her path in life and was usually always smiling. It is sad that she had to pass on to another world, but we can all hope she finds solace there with her son, Daniel and her late husband. While on this earth, she suffered way too much grief until the birth of her daughter, Daniellynn, and even today, people are claiming paternity. Grow up Goober, she may have had genuine love for her husband, but something tells me ~ Mr. Gabor ~ you just were NOT her type. Mr. Stern, I sincerely hope all works out for you ~ I pray that Ms.Smith finds serenity in the heavens and peace in the valley...I am not a religious fanatic, but I do believe we all need peace in our lives, and perhaps now, she will finally receive hers. May God Bless.

PSL, Sanford, NC (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 6:50 PM)

Anna Nicole lived a sad life. She probably brought some of it on herself. But she didn't deserve to loose her son, whom she adored in the way she did. She didn't deserve to die this young. And no matter who may claim to be this baby's father, the fact still remains that at 5 months old she has lost her mother. Can't people just have some sympathy and leave the woman to rest in peace. Linda

Linda Reniker, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 6:58 PM)

It is an interesting story but jeez, she's barely dead and the media just won't let up. It's so not cool. It's on every channel and every website. There are other more important things going on in the world. Give it a rest for a while, or at least don't run it into the ground. I've been reading and watching (hard to avoid, it's everywhere). One website says one thing, another says something else, people are making stuff up and not even getting the facts correct. It's insane.

Diane (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 7:02 PM)

WHO CARES??? THE ONLY REASON THE DEATH OF THIS ALMOST WAS, MORALS OF AN ALLY CAT,PIECE OF OFTEN PEDDLED FLESH IS NEWS IS BECAUSE YOU THE MEDIA MAKE IT NEWS!! SHE WAS NOTHING IMPORTANT! SHE DID NOTHING IMPORTANT! SO SHUT-UP AND MOVE ON THEN MAY BE HER ILLEGITIMATE CHILD WILL HAVE A VERY SMALL CHANCE, INSPITE OF ALL THE LAWAYERS WITH THEIR WALLETS NOT HER BEST INTERESTS AT HEART; AT A NORMAL LIFE.

LLOYD, TACOMA, WASHINGTON (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 7:34 PM)

A Scarifical Lamb Led to Media Fodder

Tom, Cincinnati (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 10:03 PM)

I really feel for the loss of Anna Nicole Smith, although, I don't know her personally, like alot of people I know of her for being "Famous" and she was an extremely beautiful women. I feel that the world is too "JUDGEMENTAL". We all have our problems and we all have "skeletons". She was no different! From what I have read and heard, she was like a little girl calling for help.....but very few people heard.She felt like her life was an ongoing battle...lets not let her death be the same.Remember her for the good things...not the things you think she did wrong....no body is perfect>>>>>>>>>may she rest in peace and may her new daughter never have the unfortunate roller coaster life she had.

kas,canada (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 10:35 PM)

Her life was a sad one- -I find it strange that she was and still- even in death is being castigated ---she was loved by her son -so it appears she was a good mother she had her daughter and seemed quite pleased with becomming a mother again I don't see people being hurt by her --rather I see her being (again as she was most of her life) --being trampled on

Judy Boone (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 11:21 PM)

My heart goes out to her family, I loved Anna Nicole Smith, she was a beautiful lady,very stong, as a Texan woman myself I admired her strengths. I feel sad for her little daugter, May she finally find peace. Now she is with her wonderful son. She was so lost and heartbroken after his death. Angels were needed in heaven. May she never be forgotten. God Bless.

Dolores E. Summers Franklin (Sent Friday, February 09, 2007 11:39 PM)

I'm am soo sick of the press assuming, before even knowing, she OD'd.... she had too many pills... she was drinking. My God people, she went through hell, not to mention she lost her only son. Um, she did fall in the bath tub, ( not mentioned on the 8th ) she had the flu (not mentioned on the 8th ). And they reliy on the staff @ The Hard Rock for thier info. The autopsy today (9th), said she had NO pills in her stomach, she lost ALOT of weight in a short period of time. Before the press even comments on anything, they should wait for the facts! Check out thier sources, before they open thier mouths. And her so- called Mother... Please she needs to keep quite! She didn't even have hardly any contact Anna, shes pissed because she didn't see any of her money, I'll bet you'll see more of her now. Anna said once she felt she had no one she could trust. I believe that, she even said that to Howard once. Oh, and fyi methadone is also used for cronic pain as well. May Anna find peace now, her legacy will live on, just like Marilyn, ( her idol). Rest in peace Anna. God Bless You.

Donna Chicago, Il. (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 12:22 AM)

I think it is just too tragic. I also am suspicious about the sudden deaths of Anna Nicole Smith and her son Daniel. I don't think it is beyond comprehension that this could have been murder for money. I can't help it. But there is 88 million dollars being vollied for here, and now lil Danilyn is sole heir. Come on, I hope I am wrong, but I hope it is looked into.

Katherine Diane (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 12:53 AM)

My heart goes out to Anna Nicole & her beautiful daughter. I think that the child should be brought back to the US & that the courts should oversee the care & welfare of her until this mess is cleared up legally. Also, it is felt that Larry Birkhead is the biological father of the baby, as she looks exactly like him! Also, Howard Stern appears to be a controlling, seedy character, looking to cash in on Dannilyn's fortune. Anna Nichole never seemed to be herself, in interviews, while he "hovered" around her, watching her every move & words. Absolute care needs to be taken in the DNA test; possibly 3 different tests taken by 3 different testing labs with absolute security, so there is no hanky-panky in the results!

Anonymous (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 2:26 AM)

she is with her son now.

joe, las vegas nv (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 3:13 AM)

I hope Anna Nicole is finally resting in peace and she is with her son... These people that think they have the right to judge her should all take a step back and look at their own lives... I know when you are in the public eye, people feel they have a right to judge your every move - but, at the end of the day we all share one thing - we are all human, we all make mistakes. She did what she had to do in life - end of story... Now, people should let her rest in peace and be done with it...

Stacie, Winchendon, MA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 6:43 AM)

I think someone should look at the boyfriend, he seem's to be around when the son died and now anna.and the poor baby will be fought over by the ex-boyfriend and anna's family all for the money. I would like to see how this drama ends

Demetria Jacksonville,NC (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:16 AM)

To bad she ended this way, but she wound up in good company, as in Elvis, Marilyn,.......etc. Booze and drugs have a habit of winning when used to excess. Good name for the daughter is, Target. Looks like everybody had a shot at it. Larry

Larry Melbourne Beach, FL (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:19 AM)

The DEEPEST OF THE SYMPATHIES out TO HER FAMILY. SHE will FOREVER BE remembered as another ICON of POPULAR CULTURE. HER IMAGE will remind us all of also a HUMAN BEING that struggled FROM FAME AND FORTUNE but in the end BECAME ANOTHER victim of WORLD MASS MEDIA COVERAGE. MAY SHE LIVE FOREVER, ANNA NICOLE SMITH...

Ernesto Midence, Tegucigalpa, Honduras (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 9:53 AM)

i think its so sad that the media among others want let her rest in peace, hey how many girls can say they were the center fold for playboy, not many, i think she was beautiful, even with the weight,my thoughts an prayers go out to her family, n the little girl that doesn't have a mommy to kiss her goodnight, rest in peace anna nicole,

linda holmes (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 10:12 AM)

My sincere sympathy goes out to Virgie, her Mother in Texas. I know Anna craved the high life and attention it got her; but I feel it was at the urging of Howard K. Stern that she litterly turned her back on her own Mother. Her Mother was in so much pain seeing Daniel die so young and knowing Anna was headed down the same path, my heart broke when I saw her Mother's plea to Anna and warning her about the people she was with and drugs. I'm with her family 100%. Their the ONLY people not in this for the money or publicity.They loved her and Daniel. I too believe Howard K. Stern was her and Daniel's drug source and hope the law will investigate him......God Bless Virgie. God Bless and protect Little Dannylynn.... God Bless Anna and May She Rest in Peace.

Frankie Hoge Lebanon, Illinois (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 10:48 AM)

May you rest in peace Anna.I always liked Anna Nicole because she did not care what anyone thaught about her. She was her own person and she wasnt out to impress anyone. Sure some of the stuff that she did was not good, but we all make mistakes. But i do think that her and Daniel death was too coincidental. And Howard K being there both times. Sounds kinda fishy to me. God bless that little girl that has to grow up with out a mother. May her life be full of joy and happiness. What if Howard Marshall had his semen frozen and that is his baby? Maybe that is why she never wanted to have that dna test done. Or Maybe someone was forcing her (Howard K Stern) to do this stuff. What if Howard had her leave the baby in the bahamas for a reason. I think that he looks like a demon and he should be investigated. thank you

Marcie (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 11:22 AM)

I would like to offer my condolences in this matter. This is very tragic, hopefully the media does not turn this tragedy into a circus. I hope that little girl will be loved and not treated like a living bag of cash. It is unimportant how Anna Nicole died, what is important is that we all give our respect to her survivors. Respectfully,

Valerie Owens Grove City, Ohio (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 11:41 AM)

Tragedy. It's so sad what happened. But she's with her son now and she can take care of him. What bothers me is that they are still fighting in court about a paternity test. Let the man have a paternity test and get it over with the poor little girl doesn't have anyone now. Anna and her lawyer were not legally married from what I'm understanding. The relative the little girl would go to is the Grandmother and Anna hated her mother. I'm not really sure why. Anna wouldn't be happy about that though. Another thing is I can't believe another man came forward as the father. Give them both and her lawyer a paternity test and get it over with rather than go through a legal battle. Meanwhile while they are in court fighting a legal battle a little girl is growing up never knowing her father. I know when you're a star or rich things are more complicated. I know people can be fakes. Deepest sympathy to her family and friends

Sarah B, Milwaukee Wisconsin (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 11:43 AM)

I am sad about her death. It will be interesting to see how long before the press will truly let her "rest in peace".

Helen Burnett, Tumwater, WA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 12:55 PM)

I have always felt sorry for AnnaNicole and hope now at last she is at peace and reunited with her son. Please --- let her rest in peace.

Barbara V. El Cajon, CA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 1:44 PM)

I was saddened by the passing of Anna Nicole. You could tell in her pics. and her last interview, that she was Very sad about losing Daniel. I have lost a child, and I didnt think I could go on. (you dont get over it, you get through it) May God Bless her baby daughter, Dannielynn.

PamLewis WinterHaven,Florida, USA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 1:52 PM)

I concur with all the sympathetic messages. What a tragedy. Poor little baby, left all alone with no one to see to her best interests above their own. I, too, wondered: If a nurse found her, why did she not call 911 immediately and then do CPR herself? Surely all the delay (i.e., calling the bodyguard, waiting to do CPR, finally getting the paramedics) might have caused her to die needlessly. I am surprised no news service has taken up these questions; they seem so obvious to me. R.I.P., Anna Nicole.

Angela, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 2:05 PM)

What I'm saddened about is that they give her more air time on tv then our troops who risk their lives and die everyday over in Iraq. I dont think she's ever done anything good for this country nor try to defend it so we could have our freedom. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS..... but I do hope the baby has a good life whoever her daddy is, and no its not me....

shannon fort worth, texas (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 2:06 PM)

It wouldn't surprise me if her toxicologh report comes back with the same dugs that Daniel died from. I saw her on Entertainment tonight Wednesday and made the comment she should be on suicide watch. She was obviously very distraught and very drugged.Probably legally and illegaly. She also could have been suffering from post partum depression as well as the death of her son. Poor Anna. So young and beautiful to have ended so tragically. Someone should have been with her 24/7 until she could overcome her suffering of the loss of her son.

Linda Atl. GA (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 2:06 PM)

anna rest in peace, what i dont understand is how does someones mother get on national tv and talk bad about her child. maybe what annie said about her is true and for the mother to go and try to get the the baby just shows me that its not the baby she wants, it the money. shame on her.there was no love lost between anna and her mother. a child doesnt turn on a parent unless theres truth behind it. i have one child and i could imagine my life with out her.......it would break my heart.this is what i think anna was going through.

vikki alameda santa barbara ca (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 3:33 PM)

Anna Nicole Smith`s billionaire husband is dead now,her husband`s son is dead and now her son is dead. Anna is dead. Doesn`t anyone know these folks are getting killed because of "the money." Someone better investigate Howard Stern. Someone also needs to be given custody of Anna!s little baby so that she can know who here real family is.

Jimmie Memphis,TN (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 3:53 PM)

Just as in the last comment I read on here, it seems more than just a simple co-incident that so many people surrounding Anna Nicole died suddenly and sometimes inexplicably and NOW Anna herself as well. I too believe or feel that Howard K. Stern has more than just an innocent place in all this and may have had a master plan (lawyer that he is ;-)) he obviously had much influence over Anna Nicole. I think that he warrants very close investigation and observation NOW. I am surely not the only one that this thought has occurred to. Just adding up 2 plus 2 seems to equal HOWARD K. Stern to me....That's my take on all this increasing drama surrounding Anna Nicole's latest chapter in her life and now her death.

Dee Easter (Sent Saturday, February 10, 2007 5:19 PM)



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