WASHINGTON - Stripper-turned Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith gets what many believe is a final chance to earn herself some millions out of her late husband's estate as the case comes up for hearing at the US Supreme Court.
Anna married the late J. Howard Marshall II when he was 89 and she was 26. The odd couple had met at a topless bar where Smith earned her living. Marshall died a year later at the age of 90. Anna Smith whose real name is Vickie Lynn Marshall was initially given $475 million out of Marshall's estate even though she was not mentioned in his will. After a court battle the award was reduced to $88.5 million and later it was decreed that she should not get anything out of the estate.
Marshall's son who felt that Smith was not entitled to anything out of the estate since his father had already given $6 million to her during the course of their marriage instigated all these court procedures. Smith contends that Marshall had promised her a good amount of money from his estate.
Commenting on the case coming up for the hearing, Smith's lawyer Kent Richland, said "Obviously there is a great deal of money involved in this case, but the principle is more important than the money." Howard Stern added, "She's very excited. She will be attending arguments, there's no question about that."
E. Pierce Marshall, Howard Marshall's son says that a Texas jury found Smith's claims ridiculous and that he has not done anything wrong, "This is one small step in a process and we intend to prevail so that my father's wishes can be honoured," he said in a statement.
