"No candle in the wind...more like a matchstick in a hurricane"

Those were the very words I used to describe Anna Nicole Smith in a Dateline report this past weekend, and sadly it seems to be the most apt description for Anna Nicole Smith. I wondered when I first heard the news how much people would care about her death given how recklessly she lived her life. All cable and even main networks went into overdrive giving Anna Nicole’s death every last bit of attention – attention she always craved in life. And for the most part, I think we (the news media) were a little surprised how much people were talking about it… and genuinely seemed to feel sorry about her loss. Why did we care about this woman, who showed such promise at various points in her life? Perhaps hers is the classic all-American rags to riches (almost riches) story. She came from a trailer park, practically raising herself in Mexia, Texas. Her father abandoned her and her mother at a very early age. But Anna Nicole had a dream, one common to many young American girls, of being rich and famous. And what follows perhaps is more of a cautionary tale now to those young women. By using her body and beauty, Anna Nicole made something of herself, albeit briefly. She became a Playboy pin-up girl who wanted to be someone she was not… but everyone seemed to embrace her in the beginning as a pseudo-Marilyn Monroe replacement.

The train-wreck quality of her life has been talked about much these last few days. Maybe that’s why we paid so much attention in the beginning. Not many who knew her could say they didn’t see this tragic end coming. While we have yet to conclusively learn what killed her, I chose to believe a kinder version of events. Yes I know prescription drugs were found in her room and yes, she had a history of abuse. Yes, she probably did die much like her young son Daniel, as we may learn in the coming days. I think though, what killed her, and what made her all human to us in the end, is she died a woman with a broken heart. Interesting, I thought, when the medical examiner announced there was some abnormal inflammation to her heart, though it couldn’t be ruled a cause of death. But Anna Nicole lost her 20 year old son 5 months ago and never recovered, it was said by so many within her circle. How could she recover, I ask? As a mother of a young boy, I can’t even imagine what that pain would feel like. Throughout her life though, she said Daniel was the only person in the whole world she could trust. While everyone around her seemed to want a piece of her (her body, her money—when it was hers—her fame), Daniel seemed to want only one thing, as you see in all the coverage of the two together, he wanted to be there with her at her side—his arm often protectively around her. Perhaps she realized in the end, all that attention she craved in life she did get in the best of ways—by being a mother. It’s the most tragic of stories that while she was welcoming another life into the world, her son died at her side. Maybe too, there was guilt: that her life on the edge had something to do with her son’s death. He died of a lethal combination of methadone and prescription anti-depressants. And many speculated that that too, was how she died. But now in her death, the mess of her life is far from over. She leaves a poor baby girl, Dannielynn, who has no mother, has many men claiming to be her father, and will have many legal battles no doubt to settle too—including whether or not she will get the fortune Anna Nicole fought so much.

Why we care though I think, is Anna Nicole, for as wild as her life was, seemed so fragile in the end. In some of the interviews I have done recently, it was said, she always had to struggle. Something we all can relate to… and she always fought hard—even was victorious as we saw in her appearance at the Supreme Court last year. Her tragic, almost Shakespearean flaw, was she was always wanting more, never realizing, perhaps until it was too late, she had it all to begin with. When was she most happy? You can see it in her face in that photo of her after giving birth… with her newborn daughter and son both at her side. She found the meaning of life … by giving life… only to see it so sadly taken away.

Comments

I agree with your comment that Anna Nicole "died a woman with a broken heart". When I heard the news, I immediately thought she must have committed suicide over the loss of her son. Whether that comes out at the truth or not, I would think the thought crossed her mind at least once over the last few months.

I wouldn't say I necessarily respected Anna Nicole, but I was certainly intrigued by her. My heart went out to her with her ups and downs, and strangely enough, I always rooted for her to win in whatever she was attempting to do. At the very least, she was a character to watch and remember.

I think that the American people flock to the story because it's all too human and common - it's like she's the epitomy of the lottery winner who loses everything by winning.

In the end, she was probably much happier when she was heavy and out of the public eye - but something dragged her back :(

I give you credit for writing this piece. My heart does break for her daughter, and all the legal nonsense she'll be subjected to. Family courts are a minefield.

That said, I still firmly believe that regardless of the trainwreck quality of her life/death, the producers and executives at MSNBC and other media outlets still have a responsibility to provide more coverage of more important issues than a starlets death, and less of the sensationalized "trainwrecks"...why not leave that to the National Enquirers & the E-Televisions?

I'd prefer to hear more about the soldiers who've given their lives for our country...especially when those soldiers contributed, in my opinion, far more to the betterment of our nation and our world than a 'pinup' girl...as sad her life may have been.

I can't help but think that there are radical fundamentalists in the world who point to this as the perfect example of what the U.S. represents, of what our citizens honor & glorify...of where our priorities really lie.

I have to agree Anna Nicole did show strength at times and was impressive last year at the Supreme Court. On the other hand she flirted with disaster 'way to much'. Its truly sad her baby girl won't know her mom. I hope everything works out for the baby.

I feel the news media has really gone overboared on this. I think real news watchers would feel the same. Our country has so many other news stories to discuss.

Its sad but whats even sadder is Anna Nicole is getting as much news coverage as President Gerald Ford did on his passing.

I hope MSNBC and the rest don't feel the need to cover her funeral.

I never cared to watch this person, I know more about her in the last couple of days from watching your coverage. If you didn’t take any part on this story I still wouldn’t know anything about this Anna.
I never could figure how this Anna was popular, at first. But when the public supports all these so called reality shows as they do. Then I realized it’s got to be curiosity like passing a car crash as you mentioned in your special, I guess that is what the most part public is a bit naïve or easily amused to think that any entertainment isn’t controlled to an extent. If most the public were cats then curiosity would definitely kill them and most at accident sites probably do get injured or killed due to curiosity. Anyways, I’ll say you Natalie are my favorite reporter/TV person.

Your comments on point. Whether WE, the public, believe she led a crazy life or not, she was a mother. For many years her son was her strength and he was quickly taken from her. I think the people she thought would be her 'support' ended up not supporting her enough. I pray that her daughter's father is made known and he does the right thing by taking his daughter and moving on. Let her grow up as 'normal' as possible...out of the public's eye. Be a real father. The whole paternity issue should not have been made public to begin with. God bless them all.

Natalie,
Your writing reveals a grounded individual...one who recognizes that the meaning of life is far deeper than the superficial we often see on television.

Your words on motherhood show that you value the opportunity to parent a child. Many of us hope that you will use your obvious passion on that subject to advocate for children.

Simply ask yourself how each segment you plan is going to affect the children watching. Some daytime television personalities have said that they don't have to worry about children hearing what they're presenting because children are in school.

As down to Earth as you are Natalie, you know that a significant number of kids are at home...sick, unsupervised...etc. Many are watching morning television as they wait for the school bus.

Internet predators aren't the only ones exploiting kids. The media has bombarded the airwaves with sexual messages 24/7. When Girls Gone Wild is presented as the norm, what message is absorbed by impressionable kids?
Thanks!

Well said Ms. Morales. I wish the media would stop all the speculation and wait until the medical facts reveal what ended her tragic life. We are a society obsessed with "dirt" and it sickens me. I have great respect for your reporting Ms. Morales and applaud you for your class and dignity.

It's easy to jump to conclusions about a person's life. What people don't understand is that Ana Nicole was desperately seeking love and attention she did not have growing-up. Ana Nicole did not have the support of family and found herself in the lime-light without any guidance. We all know this is not an excuse for her risky behavior but you would be less than human not to feel bad for all the tragedy she has endured. You don't wake-up and say, "gee, I want to mess up my life today." What I clearly see is a troubled individual who has been crying out for help and didn't know who to trust. Actually, she was all alone drowning in sorrow. I also think the media needs to leave certain matters private and let family and friends grieve for their loss. We hope Dannielynn's life turns out much better
than that of her brother and mother. We also hope Dannielynn's father is able to provide a loving and supportive life for her. I guess as scandalous as Ana Nicole's life may have been, who are we to judge?

Regardless of how she lived her life, she was a mother. She loved her son and he loved her. I have a son, an only child. I can't imagine what I would feel if something happened to him. I watched my best friend after she lost her young daughter in a terrible car accident. She was chared in the car. Nothing but her teeth to bury. She left behind a little girl. Only 4 years old who was devastated by the loss. My friend was a total mess. Personally, I think all of Anna's problems started from her childhood. From the very person who wants custody of her child, her mother. When you grow up in that kind of inviorment, that's the life you live. Fast and short. Always looking for someone to love you. Especially a man, since she had no father to speak of. My heart breaks for this baby, Dannielynn. I pray that Anna Nicole is with her son and at peace. I pray for all of them. I will watch the furneral if it's on.

I AGREE VERY MUCH WITH YOUR VIEW ON ANNA NICHOL. I ALSO FEEL VERY MUCH FOR THAT BABY. THANK YOU. YOUR BLOG IS WONDERFUL.

Dear Natalie; that was so perfectly put and I so agree that the reason we all are drawn and sadened by Anna Nicholes death is because we can see a part of ourselves and feel sad. I pray she is at peace and with her son now. Now we all have to pray for the safekeeping of
Dannylynne.

Why are we so fascinated with tragic figures like Anna Nicole? It could be that by comparison we are relieved that our lives are so normal. What's truly tragic is that when the coverage of the autopsy and the baby derby
comes to an end, who is left to really mourn her passing...her mother, her greedy lawyer, the boy she slept with who claims the baby is his, the aging prince and star hopper? In the end, she was a creation of the mediam abd when the media loses interest she will just be another name on a tombstone. What a pity!

Thank you Natalie for your compassion and understanding. As a mother and grandmother I cannot imagine the pain that poor girl felt. After all, when the makeup and glitz is washed away she is still someone's mother, lover and friend. I hope there is a hereafter and Anna Nicole is with her son.

I feel sadden by the death of Anna Nicole, but not because of her quasi-Celebrity but because she is a mother to a child that will never met her, she was the wife to someone who miss her, and she undoubtably has friends that will miss her. All of the events surrounding her death is probably causing these people immense pain and will one day cause her daughter confusion.
I do not like the press frenzy that has surrounded her death. I use frenzy because the media reminds me of a shark in bloody water. I particularly dislike the jump to conclusions on the cause of her death and the state of her estate. Of course there are legal issues to be resolved following her death as there usually are following an unexpected death, but these are best left to the court system.
That aside Anne Nicole could be a captivating person, and yes she did seem to seek out attention. But should we allow some dignity with death.

As a nation we thrive on stories about celebrities, good or bad. What happened to the stories about celebrities setting a good example? Oprah's good deeds or Susan Surandon's political views, like I care if Brittany is wearing underwear! As for Anna Nicole, Lay her to rest already next to her son. No I didn't know her but I am sure she wanted that. Do a DNA test for that sweet young girl and let her get on with her life. I have learned on thing from this whole mess, have a will and make sure it is up to date.

I loved Anna Nicole! Yes she had her flaws but don't all of us. And yes she may not contributed to the world like people think these celebritites could but morrally she did lived up to her standards as a mom which is far more important than anything else. We can not sit and judge her because she didn't live the way people in AMERICA thought she should have lived. People seem to be sooooooo amazed and bewildered that the lady did drugs im not saying that she did. But if she did "SO WHAT WHO CARES" who doesn't do drugs in hollywood especailly celebrities get over it. Did she ever hurt anybody, No! did she ever take from this world, No! did she become a crminal not contributing to this world, No! Did her kids suffer or not know there mom No! Did drugs keep her from her Son, NO! She was a good mother who did what she had to do to take care of her and most importantly her son. And she did that honestly, she earned her money. I loved her and am happy that she is with her son. PEACE BE UNTO YOU ANNA, BE FREE, BE FREE