-
ADD TIME NEWS
- MOBILE APPS
- NEWSLETTERS
Anna Nicole Smith, American
Anna Nicole Smith, 39, died today. She wasn't a TV star, exactly, though CNN describes her as that; by the time she made her reality TV series she was already disturbingly down the path of dissolution and collapse, and it made her show excruciating to watch even for somebody paid to watch excruciating TV. [Update: Biography Channel doesn't waste any time--they just announced a special for Saturday night.] She wasn't a supermodel, exactly, though she became famous as a Playboy Playmate and Guess jeans model. If I have to sum her up, she was an object, and an object lesson. She was somebody we spent a lot of time looking at, and then judging.
There was plenty that was tragic about Smith's life--tragic in the common sense of "sad": being entangled for over a decade in an ugly legal battle over the nine-figure estate of her late, octogenarian husband, her son dying just after the birth last year of her baby, and, of course, dying young herself and leaving her baby daughter in the midst of a paternity dispute.
But there was also plenty that was tragic in the classic sense of ambition, overreach and downfall. She made herself into Marilyn Monroe, right down to the collapse and early death--that will probably be a line in all her obituaries--but then Marilyn Monroe made herself into Marilyn Monroe. Judge it all you want, there is something essentially American about all the body sculpting and image-crafting. America is about new starts and self-invention, and the pilgrims and noble refugees don't have a monopoly on it. Smith was more self-made than most of us who call ourselves that.
Flame me, or flame her, if you want, but if Smith messed up her life, she did so through wanting the things that so many Americans want--fame, fortune, success, notoriety--wanting them worse and single-mindedly and clumsily and ultimately self-destructively. She was no role model, but she was America supersized and gone sour. And I don't feel like judging her for it.
-
26
Anna Nicole, was my inspiration, I was big like her and lost the weight like her, she gave me the courage to do it. I don't care what anybody thinks and says I also lost 40 lbs with trimspa she never lied about her weight loss, the product did work. Thank you Anna Nicole. She was so independent and determine woman. She was a beautiful woman a wonderful mother and a great human being. I wish she had not died I will miss her dearly. ANNA YOU ARE NOW BESIDE YOUR BELOVED SON, MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!
-
27
Please let's be clear. It's Howard K Stern - her laywer/husband. NOT Howard Stern - the radio personality. And also, don't be so quick to blame the media. We all know what they are about. Anna Nicole used them as much as they used her. I feel bad for her family, but I have a hard time feeling sorry for someone who sought the spotlight even during her worst tragedy.
-
28
life sucks , then you die .i just hope she was right with God
-
29
All she stood for is what America is turning into. A bottom less whore house. In which people will do ANYHTHING to live the good life. 50 million visits to lawyers offices last year alone. Why? MONEY.
-
30
When and if we are under a microscope as the rich, famous or infamous are, we cannot judge others, we are not in their shoes. We can only do what is right for us . We all have an opinion, but that does not make us right.
-
31
a tragedy waiting to happen. Why do people always assume everyone who dies is instantly in heaven, reunited with others who are also supposedly in heaven?? We are only mere mortals, only God knows where anybody has gone after death. She was always being misled, and her companion (NOT her legal husband) Howard K. Stern was probably her biggest downfall.
-
32
Just a thought: has anyone given any consideration to Anna's mother's allegations that Anna may have been just a little too close with her son? Wonder what the paternity test will reveal...
-
33
Well said in a compassionate way. She was indeed supersized ambition, personafied. Unfortunately, we were all guilty witnesses to this trainwreck that was happening.... called the life of Anna Nicole Smith. In a sense, I am feeling guilty, some cosmic guilt in the lack of salvation or a good ending. What could WE do to help her? I guess this is why WE are all now examining her life, curious to see it all laid out on the front pages of our newspapers, and on Larry King Live. We know the details, but cannot believe her death actually happened.....something that we had long had a 'gut' feeling might happen. Passive participant, or enabler. In this instance, are we not like the audience at a bullfight?
-
34
Man, I didn't even know how many mean people are out there till i read all these comments. All of you, who is judging you? what did you accomplish and were you ever under media scruinty?
Tragedy happened and I think it is time for silence not all these remarks.
-
35
One question: where is Howard K Stern in all of this? I find it interesting that I have yet to hear a comment from him.......
-
36
Still judgeing even after she dies. Let the women rest in peace already !
-
37
Eternal Rest and Peace be to her! What a poor troubled soul...
-
38
There is a saying "The stronger the fertilizer the sweeter the mellon" ...(Clara Edwards 1962 The Andy Griffith Show)
How true this vinette is of the life of Ms. Smith and her trouche. How sad. No fertilizer to make the mellon sweet.
-
39
i really do feel sorry for anna, and her daughter. when i found out my heart ripped to shreads!
-
40
The whole situation is very sad. She was so young to die. We just don't realize how fragile life is, how quickly it can go. I think that deep inside we all just want to be loved and accepted for who we are. Anna was no different, just more in the public eye. Have we as a society become so hardened that we can not have compassion on a person who was so lost and a family that is obviously in pain now? They need our prayers not our judgment. Let him who is with out sin cast the first stone…..
-
41
I don't understand how all of you can judge her when you don't even know how she died yet. Has anyone even considered that it may have been just her time to go??? I feel sorry for anybody under the scrutiny of papparazzi. They just want a story no matter what it does to anyone or anthing and will keep you under a microscope. Talk about stress. Only reason I even read this blog was to find any kind thoughts for her. Life is tough people>> remember that.
-
42
Well even though she had a trend for the outragous & disturbing side of life she was still human.
-
43
Yes, let us hint that Anna Nicole was a true American Idol. I beg to think she is an icon of what is wrong with our society, and perhaps an example of why Americans are disliked.
-
44
But may I ask, who are we to judge a person. Even if you didn't like her, she deserves the respect that everyone does. There is no reason to talk down about someone, if they are alive or not. She lived her life the way she wanted to but that is what we are suppose to do? Tradegy strikes with a young life taken and people can't give her or her family any peace and respect. Bless her and her family.
-
45
Famous for "Playboy", having a verry old & verry rich spouse, and having kid's out of wedlock why not put the flages at half mast??
-
46
Truly a stroy of a pathetic little girl who never grew up. Sure, she grew out - which were her only claims to fame. If she were lacking in physical appeal nobody would have paid any attention to this messed up kid. Sad, sure it's only 'sad,' like leaving an infant in the midst of a paternity suit. However, looking back on the long train-wreck of this persons life, somehow...you've got to think that maybe the baby's better off the way things are. The feeding frenzy that was - and still is, created by the media over a talentless, but - attractive in contemporary terms, woman is utterly demonstrative of a society sick to its core. Like a traffic-jam due to a car accident, the gaper's block that was this womans life reflects poorly on our entire culture. It's all really rather sick and truly 'sad', perhaps even more than pathetic.
-
47
Don't judge her.....and YOU will not be judged.....may she rest in peace,
-
48
i doubt Anna was right with God, or she will be in heaven from the way she lived her life on earth.
-
49
Well said, and this is such a sad statement about our society. Eventually, we must realize that our society itself will fall victim to the same untimely end. I loved her larger than life personality...I hurt for her because she was clearly in pain, not just recently, but always. I think she chose to surround herself with some people who didn't care as I don't really think she believed anyone should, or could, truly care about her. And there were some who truly cared, but were simply powerless to help her. I don't believe that Anna truly knew who was who other than a possible few who were close to here. We are a deceptive society.
Peace Anna. -
50
Haven't anyone of you heard to not speak ill of the dead? This woman was not perfect, neither are any of you. Think how you would be different if everything you did made news no matter how trivial or silly. Just think what will be said of you at your passing, perhaps it will help you lead a better life.
I have faith she is reunited with her son. I also have the utmost faith that her daughter will be well cared for, no matter who the father, obviously both men truly love the baby and want what is best for her.
My prayers and thoughts are with those who were close to her.
Most Popular »
- Best of the Decade: Sci-Fi Movies
- "How Will Dave Ever Make Fun of Sex Scandals Again?"
- Is Harry Reid Burning Out?
- How Will Obama Pay For Stimulus 2.1? (or 3.0, 3.1, whatever you want to call it)
- Why Wells Fargo isn't paying back TARP
- CNN Poll: Man Made Global Warming Takes a Hit
- The Health Reform Abortion Wars, Part Deux
- War of the Supermen: Q&A With Matt Idelson
- Economists Growing More Wary of the Senate Health Bill
- Quinnipiac: Obama Gets Bump on Afghanistan
- The Truth Behind the Leaked Climate-Change E-Mails
- Mexico Witness Protection: Corrupt Program, New Killings
- Tiger Woods Must Face His Fans' Moral Outrage
- Helicopter Parents: The Backlash Against Overparenting
- Taiwan: World's Lowest Birthrate Could Affect Society
- Creating Jobs: Can Obama Government Boost Employment?
- How Strong Is the Evidence Against Amanda Knox?
- U.S. Doesn't Know Where bin Laden Is; Time to Let Go
- Suspect Headley: Pakistani Terrorist Group Going Global?
- Humanure: Goodbye, Toilets. Hello, Extreme Composting













RSS