Friends, Foes Pay Tribute to Anna Nicole Smith
Feb. 8, 2006 — -- Anna Nicole Smith's life was filled with lawsuits, public feuds, the deaths of loved ones, reality-show drama and slurred speech at public appearances -- but today, even those who locked horns with the actress and model said they are saddened by her death.
"No matter what our differences have been over the years, Anna was still our blood and she will be missed terribly," said her sister, Donna Hogan. "She was a woman who was determined to get out of her small town in Texas and make a name for herself.
"We feel that the death of her son left her deeply saddened, a sadness she hid from everyone," Hogan added. "As a mother of three children, I am anguished by this tragic event and the fact that her new baby daughter, Dannielynn Hope, is now without a mother."
Smith spent years embroiled in bitter legal battles over the estate of her late husband, elderly billionaire J. Howard Marshall II, including a court case involving Marshall's son, Pierce.
But even an opposing attorney Smith once famously upbraided in court with the retort "Screw you, Rusty," told ABCNEWS.com he nevertheless found her attractive and charismatic.
"I did tell her one time, 'Anna, I don't know why you're so upset with me. I've been good for your career,' " said Rusty Hardin, noting that the courtroom confrontation and publicity helped his career, too.
"I never took anything she said personally, and none of it ever bothered me," Hardin said. "I sometimes have people say to me, 'Screw you Rusty.' … They said it jokingly."
Hardin said he rarely saw Smith outside of court but still felt a personal sadness over her death.
"It's terribly sad when a person of that age passes away, especially when someone has a child like that," he said, referring to Smith's infant daughter, Dannielynn Hope, who is the focus of an ongoing paternity case.
Eric Brunstad, another attorney for the Marshall family, told ABC News Radio from Hartford, Conn., that Smith's death was "very sad."
"Pierce Marshall himself passed away last year, and then to have her die this year, it's obviously sort of a tragedy compounded by a tragedy," Brunstad said. "We're all, obviously, very shocked by what's happened. And the Marshall family extends its deepest condolences."
Ron Rale, an attorney who represented Smith in a current paternity case over her infant daughter, expressed some bitterness at a news conference about the legal assault Smith faced.
"Part of me is angry because I don't believe Anna Nicole should have had to endure this," he said. "I can't imagine any mother who has had to endure this -- her loss of a child and litigation on multiple fronts."
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