The following is a statement released by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on the death of Anna Nicole Smith:

"PETA is extremely upset by the news of Anna Nicole Smith's untimely death. She was a great friend to animals and used every opportunity to speak out against senseless cruelty. We always thought Anna Nicole was a perfect fit for PETA because, just like us, she not only hated cruelty to animals and loved her dog but also couldn't be ignored, and no matter what people thought of her, they always had an opinion, one way or another. A long-time vegetarian who had slimmed down into a stunning beauty when she stopped eating meat, Anna Nicole spoke out against Iams because of its cruel animal tests, spoke up for baby seals bludgeoned to death for their fur in Canada and posed as Marilyn Monroe in one of PETA's most striking ad campaigns, 'Gentlemen Prefer Fur-Free Blondes.' It is a tragedy when anyone passes away before their time, but with Anna Nicole, animals have lost a true hero and PETA has lost a good friend. We will miss her."

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(source: anna nicole smith; gene blevins/corbis; http://www.people.com)

ANNA NICOLE

PLACE AMONG THE STARS

"Smith (here, arriving at an awards show in 2004) once told Playboy in her Playmate questionnaire: "I want to be the new Marilyn Monroe." And like the young Norma Jean, the buxom bombshell set her sight firmly on Hollywood, telling PEOPLE in '93: "I just know I'm going to be an actress. I want it so bad. I've tried so hard my whole life. I'm kindhearted, and I give, give, give. I think maybe it's my time to receive." (people.com)

Posted by Leandra on February 9, 2007 03:41 AM | Permalink