The union of Anna Nicole Smith and James Howard Marshall II sparked debate and media attention.

Others questioned how James could have been duped by such a blatant falsehood, while others accused Anna of marrying the old billionaire for fame and money.

The history of their connection is more nuanced than it initially appears.

Vicki Lynn Hogan, better known as Anna Nicole Smith, was a well-known person in the 1990s.

She was a model and actress who frequently featured in periodicals for males, and she was skilled at putting herself in positions to succeed.

Her early years, however, were anything but glamorous.

She was reared in a typical home and was born into it, but after her first marriage fell apart, she was forced to work as a dancer at a nightclub to support her and her child.

She struggled to establish herself at the time because she wasn’t extremely gorgeous.

Their union was a mutually advantageous arrangement rather than a love match.

James lavished Anna with presents, such as pricey jewelry and cosmetic surgery, and she reciprocated by giving him company and love.

The marriage helped Anna’s public profile grow and the relationship was never kept a secret.

Their joy, though, didn’t last long. Just 14 months after their wedding, James passed away, leaving Anna to deal with the fallout.

James’s death grieved Anna, who remained by his side all the way to the end.

But when she discovered James had not given her any inheritance, she was even more disappointed.

Ultimately, Anna Nicole Smith and James Howard Marshall II had a difficult and odd marriage.

Despite the fact that many people hastily judged her motivations, Anna and James actually benefited from the union.

Even though it wasn’t a classic love affair, they managed to make it work for themselves for a while.