Anna Nicole Smith is smelling like a Rose, once again

By M&C People News Jun 26, 2006, 18:45 GMT

E. Pierce Marshall, 67, the son of J. Howard Marshall II who has been warring with the former Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith for years over his dad's fortune, has died.

Their feud over the inheritance took them both to the Supreme Court.  The justices reversed a California federal appeals court decision and reinstated the $88.5 million Smith was awarded in 2002 by a federal district judge.

According to E! Online, “The cause of death was a "brief and extremely aggressive infection," according to a statement released by family spokesperson David Margulies. Marshall passed away Tuesday in Dallas.”

"The family would politely request that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time as they grapple with this devastating loss," the statement said. "Mr. Marshall leaves behind a legacy of being, first and foremost, a remarkable husband, father and grandfather, a successful business visionary and a man of unrivaled perseverance and principle." E! Online reported.

“Despite his own accomplishments as family man and businessman, Marshall may be remembered for his ongoing feud with Smith over whether she was entitled to any of the $1.6 billion fortune left behind by oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II, who married Smith in 1994 when she was 26 and he was 89. The elder Marshall died a year later.” 

“Since then Pierce Marshall had maintained that he was his dad's sole heir and that Smith was only entitled to $6 million in gifts she received the year she got married.” All according to E! Online.