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Did Anna Nicole Smith Inherit Any Money? The Saga of a Supermodel and a Billion-Dollar Estate

Here’s the blunt truth: Anna Nicole Smith did not inherit any money directly from J. Howard Marshall II’s estate. The legal battles surrounding her claim stretched for years, ultimately ending with the Supreme Court denying her the ability to pursue the case further in federal court regarding alleged tortious interference.

The Rise and Fall: A Story of Love, Loss, and Legal Battles

The story of Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall II is nothing short of operatic. A young, vibrant model meets an aging billionaire. They marry, and shortly after, he dies. What follows is a decade-long legal saga that captivated the nation, filled with accusations, counter-accusations, and questions of love, money, and legacy. But to understand why Anna Nicole Smith didn’t inherit, we need to delve into the intricacies of the case.

The Marriage and the Missing Will

Anna Nicole Smith married J. Howard Marshall II in 1994. He was 89; she was 26. Just 14 months later, Marshall died, leaving behind an estimated $1.6 billion fortune. Critically, Marshall’s will bequeathed the vast majority of his estate to his son, E. Pierce Marshall. There was no specific provision in the will for Anna Nicole Smith. This became the crux of the ensuing legal battle.

The Texas Probate Court Battle

Anna Nicole Smith, feeling entitled to a share of Marshall’s estate, challenged the will in Texas probate court. Her argument wasn’t that Marshall promised to put her in the will, but that Marshall promised her half of his assets outside of the will through inter vivos gifts and other means. This claim ultimately failed in Texas. The probate court ruled against her, finding no evidence of Marshall’s intention to provide for her outside of the will.

Bankruptcy Court and the Tortious Interference Claim

Undeterred, Smith’s lawyers filed a claim in federal bankruptcy court, arguing that E. Pierce Marshall had intentionally interfered with her expectancy of inheriting a portion of his father’s estate. In other words, they alleged he manipulated his father to cut her out. The bankruptcy court initially ruled in her favor, awarding her a substantial amount. However, this victory was short-lived.

The Supreme Court’s Intervention

The case wound its way through the appeals process, eventually reaching the Supreme Court. In Marshall v. Marshall (2006), the Supreme Court initially ruled that the bankruptcy court did have jurisdiction to hear Smith’s claim. This seemed like a victory for Smith. However, the legal ping-pong continued.

The Final Blow: No Damages Awarded

After the jurisdictional victory, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the bankruptcy court’s initial judgment, finding that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to support the tortious interference claim. In essence, they agreed that there wasn’t enough proof that E. Pierce Marshall had acted maliciously or fraudulently to prevent J. Howard Marshall II from providing for Anna Nicole Smith. The case ultimately went back to the Ninth Circuit after a second Supreme Court decision. Finally, in 2011, the Ninth Circuit permanently rejected her claim to Marshall’s estate.

The Role of Vickie Lynn Marshall and Danialynn Hope Marshall

It’s important to remember that Anna Nicole Smith legally changed her name to Vickie Lynn Marshall after marrying J. Howard Marshall II. This name is often used interchangeably in court documents and legal reporting. Her daughter, Dannielynn Hope Marshall Birkhead (now simply Dannielynn Birkhead), inherited whatever assets Anna Nicole Smith possessed at the time of her death. Importantly, this did not include any inheritance from J. Howard Marshall II.

Why Didn’t Anna Nicole Smith Inherit? A Summary

The reasons are complex and intertwined, but boil down to:

Lack of a provision in the will: J. Howard Marshall II’s will did not include any provision for Anna Nicole Smith.
Failure to prove “inter vivos” gifts: The Texas probate court found no evidence of Marshall’s intention to provide for her outside the will.
Insufficient evidence of tortious interference: The courts ultimately ruled that there was not enough evidence to prove that E. Pierce Marshall had intentionally interfered with her expectancy of an inheritance.

The legal battle outlived both Anna Nicole Smith (who died in 2007) and E. Pierce Marshall (who died in 2006), highlighting the tenacity and complexity of the case.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about Anna Nicole Smith’s inheritance saga, offering further clarity and details:

What was Anna Nicole Smith’s legal argument for inheriting from J. Howard Marshall II’s estate? Her primary argument was based on the theory of “tortious interference with an expected inheritance.” She claimed that E. Pierce Marshall intentionally manipulated his father to prevent her from receiving any assets from the estate. She also argued that Marshall had promised her half of his assets outside of the will.
What is “tortious interference with an expected inheritance”? It’s a legal claim where someone alleges that another person wrongfully interfered with their reasonable expectation of receiving an inheritance. It typically requires proof of malicious or fraudulent conduct that prevented the testator (the person making the will) from fulfilling their wishes.
Why did the Texas probate court rule against Anna Nicole Smith? The Texas probate court found that there was insufficient evidence to prove that J. Howard Marshall II intended to provide for Anna Nicole Smith outside of his will.
What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Marshall v. Marshall? The Supreme Court case primarily addressed the jurisdiction of federal bankruptcy courts to hear claims related to probate matters. While it initially appeared to be a victory for Smith, the subsequent rulings ultimately went against her.
Did Anna Nicole Smith receive any financial settlements from the Marshall estate? No, Anna Nicole Smith did not receive any financial settlements or inheritances from the Marshall estate. Her legal battles were ultimately unsuccessful.
Who inherited Anna Nicole Smith’s estate after her death? Her daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, inherited her estate. However, this estate did not include any assets from the J. Howard Marshall II estate.
What role did Howard K. Stern play in the Anna Nicole Smith case? Howard K. Stern was Anna Nicole Smith’s lawyer and companion. He was involved in many aspects of her life, including the legal battles surrounding the Marshall estate. He was also briefly listed as the father on Dannielynn’s birth certificate before a paternity test proved Larry Birkhead was the father.
What were some of the controversial aspects of the Anna Nicole Smith and J. Howard Marshall II relationship? The age difference between Smith and Marshall was a significant point of controversy. Many questioned the sincerity of their relationship, speculating that Smith was motivated by financial gain.
What was the estimated value of J. Howard Marshall II’s estate at the time of his death? J. Howard Marshall II’s estate was estimated to be worth around $1.6 billion.
Did E. Pierce Marshall ever publicly comment on the Anna Nicole Smith case? E. Pierce Marshall maintained throughout the legal battles that his father did not intend to provide for Anna Nicole Smith and that she was trying to exploit his father’s wealth.
What happened to E. Pierce Marshall? E. Pierce Marshall died in 2006, before the conclusion of the legal battles with Anna Nicole Smith. His widow, Elaine Tettemer Marshall, continued to defend the estate.
What is the lasting legacy of the Anna Nicole Smith case? The Anna Nicole Smith case remains a cautionary tale about the complexities of inheritance law, the scrutiny surrounding relationships with large age gaps, and the media frenzy that can accompany high-profile legal battles involving celebrities and vast fortunes. It also highlights the difficult burden of proof required in tortious interference claims. It is studied widely in law schools.