Was Anna Nicole Smith's life tragic, or just pathetic?

Question

Anna Nicole Smith's death saddens me, but I have to ask myself, was she really a tragic figure, or just a pathetic, rather talentless woman seeking fame at any price? Don't get me wrong, I liked her. I watched her show, but only for the same reason you watch a car accident--it's so horrific, you can't look away! The big question is, should we feel sorry for someone whose whole life seemed to be spent saying "look at me, I'm special?" I don't know. There's no denying she was (at one time, anyway) gorgeous and very sexy, but she seemed to define all the hollow, transient values of society-vanity, selfishness, sloth,self-aggrandizement, drug culture, alcohol abuse, overeating, over-spending,over-indulgence. It's hard to make an icon out of those stilted virtues. Still, it's hard to criticize someone for merely reflecting the empty values that our society seems to dote on in its celebrities. Is Britney or Madonna any better, really? More talented, yes. Better people? I don't know.

Answer 1

That's a good question. I think it's possible to feel saddened for her as a person and yet still be against her values. There is good and bad in everyone and while my place is not to judge her that doesn't mean I wouldn't take a stand against some of her behavior. I agree with you that she epitomized everything that is shallow and indulgent about contemporary American society and for that reason I would never idolize her, but I can still feel sorry that she ended up that way and hope that others learn a lesson from her sad life.

Answer 2

I'm not sad to be honest with you. I feel bad that someone has died but pop culture made this person important, but in reality she wasn't important. Americans made this person famous; she's not an important figure in the least; only in America can a blond bimbo be given so much attention. It's very sad for her family and friends but other than that she's a non story that didnt' do much for anyone. When many people will go out of there way to PAY a small fee to vote on American Idol but not care about elections, then there is a huge problem; Anna Nicole was just another brick in the wall of that problem. America, grow up.

Answer 3

No one is better than anyone. Who cares how anna nicole lived her life, she had a life and now she dosen't. Her daughter will never know her or her brother.
Don't belittle someone that has passed away. I am sure she tried to live her life the best way she could but maybe other things kept her down and she was not strong enough to overcome drugs or whatever.

So if your cousin, brother or sister was into drugs, had no talent and so on does that mean they were just pathetic and deserves to be talked about after they die?

Answer 4

I think it was tragic...too many bad things happened to her all at once. Of course she could have avoided some, like the whole paternity issue- whould it have been so bad to give visiting privelages to the real dad? You know its almost impossible for a court to rule against a mother, so loosing the child was not likely. I think it was that and the news that Howard may have had something to do with the death of her son plus Trim Spa and herself being sued for false advertisement. It was just too much. I do feel sorry for her and now the baby who is going to fought over by everyone.

Answer 5

As a mother I am torn between critisism and empathy. Apparently she was found in an "unresponsive state" which to me means drugs were involved. With a baby of such an age, how could she allow herself to get into such a position? As for the status she received, I applaud her .. she came from a very poor background and made a name for herself .. I live in Australia and I know who she is/was. I just wish she didn't sell herself out to the extent that she did. Their is something odd going on though - perhaps her lawyer/husband should be looked into - perhaps a conspiracy theory there.

Answer 6

I say a little bit of both.....along with just sad......she always got the short end of the stick....no matter how hard she tried....I did like her...she seemed genuine.....even though she came across as a gold digger....I felt pity for her....

I feel sorry for her Daughter...I only pray that whoever raises her...does so with integrity...& grace...not make a spectacle out of this young one's tragic beginning...

God Rest the Souls of Anna Nicole & Daniel Smith

Answer 7

her life was not pathetic. She was a girl who grew up disadvantage and wanted to make a name for herself. The sad thing is she went the wrong route. She did have talent. Are you forgeting she was a model for Guess and she also did some acting like Nakid Gun 33 1/3.

Answer 8

all i can say is poor baby girl what has she got now no mom n dont no who her real dad is but thank god!she is at the age were she doesnt know anything around her hope she can find happyness in all of this mess.
As for anna well u play with fire you get burnt! she did what she wanted to do in her live she was adult enough to make those decisions and she did people all around the world lose family members she is no differnt how she chose to deal with it was the sayin goes you make your bed lay in it !!

Answer 9

i was so shocked. i was never a really big fan. i always thought the same thing of her as what u just stated. until i seen her crying in an interview while talking about her son. than i seen how human she really was and i felt really sorry for her. i will pray for her.

Answer 10

I can't stand how people say her death is tragic because she had a hard life. What was so hard about, I do admit that your son dying is pretty bad, but she was hot, pretty wealthy, and she did get something out of her inheritance. Tragic? No. Frustrating? Maybe. Pathetic? Yes. I too think she's a hot bombshell but she tried way to hard to get attention.