E. Pierce Marshall, who feuded for years with former Playboy Playmate Anna
Nicole Smith over his father's oil fortune, has died, his spokesman said Friday.
He was 67.
 E. Pierce Marshall,
son of the late Texas oilman J. Howard Marshall, talks with an attorney
before the start of a hearing in this file photo from August 14, 1995, in
Houston, to determine whether his father should be cremated or buried.
Marshall died unexpectedly Tuesday June 22,2006 in the Dallas area from a
brief and extremely aggressive infection, the family said in a written
statement released through spokesman David Margulies. He declined to
provide additional details. [AP] |
Marshall died unexpectedly earlier this week in the Dallas area from a brief
and extremely aggressive infection, the family said in a written statement
released through spokesman David Margulies. He declined to provide additional
details about Marshall's death on Tuesday.
"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.
Smith married Texas oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II in 1994, when she was 26
and he was 89. He died the following year. Since then, E. Pierce Marshall had
been locked in a legal battle over her entitlement to the estate.
The U.S. Supreme Court last month revived Smith's pursuit of her late
husband's oil fortune, ruling that the one-time stripper deserves another day in
court.
The case has had twists and turns. Smith won a $474 million judgment, which
was cut to about $89 million and eventually reduced to zero.
"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," the Margulies statement said.
He was best known for his public fight with Smith, whose real name is Vickie
Lynn.
"It's a horrible situation, so condolences to the family, but we have no
comment on it at this time," Philip Boesch, Smith's attorney, said Friday night.
Marshall's attorney, Rusty Hardin, did not immediately return a phone call
from The Associated Press.
Last month's ruling reinstated Smith's claim, but there was no guarantee she
would collect any money.
"Although he lavished gifts and significant sums of money on Vickie during
their courtship and marriage, J. Howard did not include anything for Vickie in
his will," Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote.
She said there were accusations that Marshall "engaged in forgery, fraud, and
overreaching to gain control of his father's assets" and, on the other side,
that Smith had defamed her former stepson.
"I will continue to fight to clear my name in California federal court. That
is a promise that Vickie and her lawyers can take to the bank," Marshall said in
a statement after the decision.
Marshall, who lived in Dallas, served on the board of Koch Industries Inc., a
Wichita, Kan.-based commodities conglomerate that operates refineries and
pipelines, trades commodities and manufactures pulp, paper and fibers.
"His leadership and loyalty have been instrumental in the success and growth
of our company," said Chairman and CEO Charles G. Koch.
Margulies said he had no information on services.