Key date and summary
Anna Nicole Smith died on February 8, 2007, in Hollywood, Florida. The cause was later ruled an accidental drug overdose. This verified explainer provides a factual timeline, contextual details about her public profile, and related facts to clarify status and common questions.
Profile breakdown: who was Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Smith (born Vickie Lynn Hogan) was an American model, actress, and media personality. She first gained widespread attention as a Playboy Playmate in 1992 and later became known for her marriage to elderly oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall and for high-profile legal and personal matters in the 1990s and 2000s. Her public narrative combined celebrity, legal conflict, and personal tragedy.
Verified timeline of key events
The following table outlines major, widely reported milestones in Anna Nicole Smith’s life, with source types noted where public records and authoritative outlets align.
| Date or Period | Event | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 28, 1967 | Birth in Houston, Texas | Public records |
| 1992 | Playboy Playmate of the Year | Media reports |
| 1994 | Marriage to J. Howard Marshall (age difference and legal battles) | Court records and news archives |
| 1996–1998 | High-profile court cases and media coverage | Legal documents and news archives |
| Sep 13, 2006 | Birth of daughter Dannielynne | News reports and public statements |
| Feb 8, 2007 | Death in Hollywood, Florida (accidental drug overdose) | Medical examiner report and news archives |
Circumstances of death
On February 8, 2007, emergency responders attended to Anna Nicole Smith at a Hollywood, Florida home. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The Broward County Medical Examiner’s office ruled her death an accidental overdose involving multiple prescription medications. This timing followed a period of intense public and media scrutiny related to her personal life and legal affairs.
Cause of death and medical findings
The official cause was determined to be an accidental drug overdose, with combinations of medications playing a role. Such findings are common in postmortem reviews when multiple substances are present. These medically verified details are drawn from public forensic reports released by local authorities and subsequently reported by credible news outlets.
Legal and public context
Smith’s death occurred while she remained involved in protracted legal proceedings, including a notable Supreme Court case about jurisdiction and child support. Her passing intensified ongoing debates about media responsibility, privacy, and the treatment of women in the spotlight. These circumstances illustrate how public narrative and legal matters persisted up to the final documented date.
Enduring public interest and legacy
Years after her death, Anna Nicole Smith remains a durable reference point in conversations about celebrity culture, media ethics, and the intersection of law and personal tragedy. Documentaries, news retrospectives, and cultural commentary continue to revisit her story, reflecting stable, evergreen public curiosity rather than fleeting news cycles.
Summary of verified facts
In summary, Anna Nicole Smith died on February 8, 2007, in Hollywood, Florida, due to an accidental drug overdose. Key biographical and legal milestones frame how her life and death have been documented. The following quick comparison highlights contrasts that clarify common questions.
Quick comparison of common points of confusion
| Aspect | Verified Detail | Common Misconception |
|---|---|---|
| Date of death | February 8, 2007 | Sometimes misremembered as late 2006 or confused with related events |
| Location | Hollywood, Florida, USA | Occasionally misreported as another state or city |
| Cause | Accidental overdose of prescription medications | Speculation about other causes without medical evidence |