“Toukie was a force of nature.
She left an indelible mark on our hearts and on everyone lucky enough to know her,” her twins Airyn and Julian stated after model and actress Toukie Smith passed away at the age of 74 in a New York hospital last week, Extra TV reported.
Smith died following a long, courageous battle with multiple sclerosis, according to statements shared with The Hollywood Reporter by her sons, whom she shared with her former partner Robert De Niro. Her family noted that she shared in a remarkable family legacy that helped shape American fashion and culture.
- Toukie Smith kickstarted her modeling career in 1972, later working for high-profile designers including Hubert de Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Issey Miyake, and Patrick Kelly.
- She and Robert De Niro were together for eight years before parting ways in 1996, welcoming their twin sons via surrogate in 1995.
- After stopping her modeling work in the eighties, she transitioned to acting, appearing on television shows such as “Miami Vice” and “227.”
The sister of the late designer Willi Smith, Toukie Smith established a distinctive presence in the fashion industry during the 1970s and beyond. Her editorial work spanned publications such as Vogue, Ebony, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and Seventeen. According to her family’s statements reported by Extra TV, her beauty, grace, and unmistakable presence helped pave the way for generations of Black models and designers in fashion.
After stepping away from the runway in the 1980s, Smith shifted her creative focus toward television and acting. She secured roles across three episodes of “Miami Vice” and later portrayed the artist Eva on the sitcom “227” from 1989 to 1990.
| Milestone | Details | Year / Era |
|---|---|---|
| Modeling Debut | Began her career in the fashion industry | 1972 |
| Acting Tenure | Played artist Eva on “227” | 1989–1990 |
Smith and Robert De Niro remained together for eight years before their relationship ended in 1996. Her surviving family members continue to honor her contributions to the arts and culture.
970'lerin ikonik podyum yıldızı, model ve oyuncu Toukie Smith, 74 yaşında hayatını kaybetti. Robert De Niro'nun ikizlerinin annesi olan Smith, uzun süredir MS hastalığıyla mücadele ediyordu. Detaylar haberimizde 👇https://t.co/Ec1JyipZi6
Toukie Smith, the runway star who played Eva on ‘227’ and shared twins with Robert De Niro, has died at 74 after a long battle with MS. pic.twitter.com/FhCcdQXuSY
