Billy Wayne Smith was the first husband of the famous model, actress, and television personality Anna Nicole Smith. Born on January 27, 1967, in Mexia, Texas, Billy grew up in a small town and worked in the oilfields as a young man before becoming a cook.
He met Anna Nicole Smith in 1985 at the restaurant where they worked and quickly fell in love. They married on April 4, 1986, when they were both 19 years old.
Billy Wayne Smith and Anna Nicole Smith’s Had a Tumultuous Marriage
The former couple had a son, Daniel Wayne Smith, born on January 22, 1986, just a few months before their wedding. Daniel was the only child of Billy and Anna, and they adored him. However, their marriage was not without its troubles.
Billy Wayne Smith struggled with addiction and had a tumultuous relationship with Anna. Their relationship was riddled with numerous breakups and reconciliations. Billy was a simple man from the start. His involvement in the complex life of his wife, Anna Nicole Smith, was proof that not everyone is built for a celebrity lifestyle.
Despite their challenges, Billy Wayne Smith and Anna remained married until 1993, when they divorced. Their divorce resulted from Anna’s sudden fame and success, but the first cracks in their marriage began to surface barely two years after their wedding. Anna started complaining that Billy wasn’t having enough time for her.
She moved to Houston with their son, Daniel, while the couple were still married. She worked several jobs before finding an entertainment career. In all that time, Anna’s mother bore responsibility for the kid until he became old enough to start life on his own too.
Anna Nicole Smith’s Career Had Denting Scandals
Anna Nicole Smith was involved in several scandals after moving to Houston. One of the most significant was the legal battle over her second husband’s estate, J. Howard Marshall II. Marshall was a billionaire oil tycoon whom Anna married in 1994 when she was 26 and he was 89. Marshall passed away just over a year after their wedding, and the model claimed he had promised her half his fortune.
Marshall’s son and other family members contested the will, leading to a protracted legal battle that lasted for years. The case eventually went to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Marshall’s son, stating that Anna was not entitled to any of Marshall’s estates. The scandal made headlines worldwide and added to Anna’s already controversial public image for marrying a man 60 years older than her.
The scandal surrounding that legal battle also had an impact on her career. The once-celebrated model was already controversial due to her modeling and reality television appearances. The protracted legal battle and negative media coverage further damaged her public image.
Some of her endorsements and sponsorships were affected, as companies were reluctant to associate themselves with her due to the negative publicity surrounding the scandal. Additionally, the legal battle took a toll on Anna’s personal life, including her relationships with family members and friends.
However, despite these challenges, Anna continued to work and remained in the public eye. She appeared on television shows and in films and even had her reality TV series, “The Anna Nicole Show,” from 2002 to 2004.
Ultimately, while the scandal may have negatively impacted Anna’s career, she continued to be in touch with her ex-husband, Billy. They remained close and continued to co-parent their son until Daniel’s tragic death in 2006. Daniel died at age 20 from a drug overdose while visiting his mother in the hospital after the birth of her daughter, Dannielynn. Dannielynn was Anna’s only child with her ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead.
Billy Wayne Smith’s Reconnection With Ex-Wife, Anna Nicole Smith
In the wake of Daniel’s death, Billy reconnected with Anna and provided emotional support to her during the difficult time. He attended Daniel’s funeral with Anna and even served as a pallbearer. In an interview after Daniel’s death, Billy Wayne Smith spoke of his love for Anna and his desire to be there for her during her time of need.
Sadly, Anna Nicole Smith passed away just a few months after Daniel’s death. On February 8, 2007, she died at 39 from a drug overdose, just like her son Daniel. Those close to her said she never recovered from her son’s death.
Billy Wayne Smith was a significant figure in Anna’s life, both as her husband and the father of her son, Daniel. Despite their challenges and difficulties, Billy’s love for Anna and his dedication to their family was unwavering.
