Anna Nicole Smith led a glamorous life as one of Hollywood’s most popular pin-up girls in the 90s.
The American model and actress worked with some of the fashion industry’s biggest names and has been at the center of controversy for most of her life as a celebrity.
The drama surrounding Anna Nicole Smith started when she married an 89-year-old billionaire in 1994, but did you know she was married before that?
Today’s article sheds light on Billy Wayne Smith; the first husband of Anna Nicole Smith who’s been affected by the dark side of fame and money even long after their divorce.
How Did Billy Wayne Smith and Anna Nicole Smith Meet?
Anna Nicole Smith is the stage name that Vickie Lynn Hogan picked out for herself when she started modeling for Playboy. Before the glitz and the fortune, Anna was born and raised in Houston, Texas in a modest family.
When Anna was 14, she dropped out of high school and was shipped to Mexia, Texas to live with her aunt. She started working as a waitress in a fried chicken place. Jim’s Krispy Fried Chicken –also in Mexia– was where the couple first met.
Billy Wayne Smith worked at the same restaurant as a fry cook. Anna soon developed feelings for the sweet, shy cook who was a year younger than herself.
Billy wasn’t interested in the brunette at first, which made Anna even more infatuated. Reportedly, she said that Billy drove her crazy and that she chased him until they got married.
When Were Billy Wayne Smith and Anna Nicole Smith Married?
Anna and Billy started dating in May 1984. Their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend lasted about 11 months as they tied the knot in April of 1985.
The couple lived together in a house close to the shop where they worked. Unfortunately, Billy didn’t know that Anna had lost interest in him by the time they got married, or so she said.
How Old Were Billy Wayne Smith and Anna Nicole Smith When They Got Married?
Billy Wayne Smith and Vickie Lynn Hogan had their wedding on the 4th of April 1985. Given that she was born in November 1967, she was 17 years old when she got married to Billy who was 16 at the time.
How Long Were Billy Wayne Smith and Anna Nicole Smith Married?
The union of Billy Wayne Smith and Vickie Lynn Smith didn’t last very long. Although the couple officially divorced in 1993, they were no longer romantically involved since 1987 – 5 years earlier.
According to Anna, the reason that their marriage fell apart so quickly was because Billy was too jealous. She claimed that his behavior was controlling and possessive after marriage, allegedly not allowing her to leave the house alone.
Billy never addressed his marriage to Anna, or any aspect of his relationship with the late model for that matter.
According to Anna’s mother, Anna started working at Houston’s Executive Suite Club as a stripper while still married to Billy. This job led her to meet her next husband, J. Howard Marshall.
Did Billy Wayne Smith and Anna Nicole Smith Have Children?
Yes, Billy and Anna had a son together 9 months after getting married. They named him Daniel and he was the couple’s only child.
Sadly, Daniel died in 2006 from an accidental drug overdose while in the Bahamas visiting her mother who had just given birth to a baby girl: Dannielynn Birkhead.
Where Is Billy Wayne Smith Now?
Billy kept out of the spot after the divorce from Anna and was last seen in public at the memorial service for his son in 2006.
Further than that, the whereabouts and health condition of Billy Wayne Smith is unknown. He reportedly remarried and worked as a truck driver.
There are rumors that he died in 2014, but there’s no information available to confirm or deny his death.
