Who and Why?

So just who is/was this man and why is he smiling so wide in his E&J wheelchair? Well, for starters he was 89 years old and worth $550 million dollars at the time this picture was taken. He was a texas oil man before and during the George Bush, Sr administration and that was plenty enough to put a smile on his face. In the hood, E&J stands for the "Easy Jesus", the choice brand in low cost highly potent brandy. Perhaps he'd just taken a swig or two of the "Easy Jesus" and was feeling ready for some action. With $550 million dollars burning a hole in your pocket, what kind of action would you want?

That's right, the hottest playa's club type action you could find. And who does our boy above discover but a 26 year old blond beauty who resembles Marilyn Monroe just enough in his aging eyes to make him feel young again.

And so you have it, the above picture is of the late
Millionaire J. Howard Marshall II who made headlines in 1994 when he married the Anna Nicole Smith when she was 26 and he was 89. Howie died a year later in 1995. File photo courtesy Temple Webber Photography, from "Done in Oil," Texas A&M Press

The shocking news headline of the day was learning that Anna Nicole Smith died after collapsing at a hotel in Hollywood, Florida. She was 39 years old.

I never quite understood why so many people loved and/or hated her so much, but I sure understand what Howie Marshall the oil man saw in her; Howie was a straight up 89 year old freak and let's face it, Anna Nicole was short on talent but had a face and body with potential. With the advent of enhancement surgery, Howie basically re-created him a woman of his dreams, a Marilyn Monroe replica. And we sporting fans should be thankful that Howie had the foresight and money to create such a specimen.

Unfortunately, as with Marilyn, fame and fortune took its tool on Howie's creation as Anna Nicole fought hard for acceptance, respectability and the fortune that she felt Howie meant for her to have upon his death.

Now with the passing of Anna Nicole Smith, we'll never know if Howie's creation would've gained the love and respect of all mortals. But I do feel she will be remembered as a pioneer in the art of seduction and using what she had to get what she wanted.

We'll miss her full figured womanhood and controversial lifestyle.

Ana Nicole Smith
1967-2007