Dressed in a low-backed sequinned dress — and the blond barrel roll curls and red lipstick that Marilyn Monroe made famous — Anna Nicole Smith embraces her new-found fame and smiles for the cameras before she steps out of her limousine, which, might we add, is fully decked out with a mobile phone, crystal glasses, and a rather skimpy-looking mini-bar. This is probably one of the tamest photos of the bodacious beauty, as, unfortunately, the fame will eventually go to Miss Smith’s head — resulting in some pretty wacky and weird television appearances, odd clothing choices, drawn-out court ordeals, and ultimately, her tragic death. But today, she is simply the beautiful blonde whose dreams of stardom finally came true…

Photo: Kevin Winter / DMI / The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images