Billy Wayne Smith is widely known as famous model and actress Anna Nicole Smith‘s first husband or ex-husband. Anna Nicole Smith first gained popularity after she won the Playmate title in 1993.
The renowned model, originally Vickie Lynn Hogan, skyrocketed to stardom following her appearance on Playboy and went on to work with numerous high-end fashion companies like Guess and H&M. Though she was already a household name, Anna Nicole Smith was the stage name she decided to go by.
Who is Billy Wayne Smith?
Billy Wayne Smith was born in the United States in 1968. The specifics of his upbringing and family background are still kept out of the public eye. Sources say that money was tight for the Smiths and in response, Billy had to abandon school and take on multiple jobs.
Anna Nicole Smith’s ex-husband made the choice to be a fry cook at Jim’s Krispy Fried Chicken in Mexia, Texas. That is where he met Anna who eventually became his wife, and in the end, ex-wife.
There isn’t much information available regarding Billy’s early life and education as he has opted to stay away from the limelight.
How Did Billy Wayne Smith Meet Anna Nicole Smith?
The two encountered each other during their youth while employed at Jim’s Krispy Fried Chicken. At the time, they were simply young adults trying to earn an income.
Although Anna was stunningly attractive, Billy, who was working as the restaurant’s fry cook, paid little attention to her even though they were employed in the same place. His ex-wife was a waitress at the establishment.
In fact, it was Anna who pursued Billy relentlessly. She once told a publication,
“He drove me crazy. I chased him and chased him the way young girls fo until I finally got him and married him.”
In 1984, Anna and Billy started seeing each other romantically, and their relationship escalated when they got married a year later in 1985. It is worth mentioning that Anna Nicole Smith was a year older than Billy Wayne Smith at the time of their marriage, as she was 17 while he was 16. Their wedding was a small, intimate affair with the presence of close family and friends.
Divorce
The union between Anna Nicole Smith and Billy Wayne Smith began to experience difficulties only two years into their marriage, eventually resulting in them parting ways in 1987.
Subsequently, the late model and actress shared her experience of being with Billy, claiming the marriage to be a “disaster” and that he was too protective of her. Furthermore, Anna Nicole mentioned that he also failed to meet her needs in the relationship.
Billy Wayne Smith and his ex-wife lived separately for six years before finalizing their divorce in 1993. Reports indicate though, that the ex-model had already started going out with Howard Marshall, a wealthy business mogul, while she was still officially wed to Billy.
After Anna had been legally divorced for a year, she tied the knot with her wealthy beau, Howard Marshall. This union brought her into the spotlight and she gained renown for her work as a model.
Did Billy Wayne Smith Have Children With Anna Nicole?
In 1986, one year after Billy Wayne Smith and Anna Nicole Smith got married, they welcomed their single child, Daniel Wayne Smith. In most cases, the birth of a baby strengthens a marriage, however, this did not happen in the case of Billy Wayne Smith and his former spouse.
The teenage duo reportedly had difficulty managing parenthood due to their hectic schedules and careers taking up much of their time. Despite the difficulties, Billy Wayne Smith kept a tight relationship with his son Daniel, who visited him often in Texas. He also attempted to keep in contact with his ex-wife, even though she reportedly changed her phone number frequently.
Billy’s world was torn apart by the heartbreaking death of his son, Daniel. In September 2006, three days after his half-sister, Dannielynn Birkhead, was born, Daniel was taken away from his father due to an unfortunate drug overdose. It was reported that Anna and Billy’s child had a hard time with depression before finally succumbing to it.
Despite his grief, Billy showed up at the funeral in the Bahamas to honor his son, saying that Daniel was “the best thing that ever happened to him.” This unbearable loss had a significant impact on Billy’s life.
Where Is Billy Wayne Smith Now?
Billy Wayne Smith is still going strong at 55 years of age. Unfortunately, Anna Nicole Smith passed away in 2007 from overdosing. People questioned why Billy did not attend her funeral after their divorce in 1993.
Billy has been out of the spotlight since his son’s memorial service, with no clues to his current location or his new family. It is probable that he could still be involved with the food industry.
