Key Highlights:
- Actress and pioneering high-fashion model Toukie Smith has passed away at the age of 74 at a New York hospital following a battle with multiple sclerosis.
- Smith was celebrated on screen for portraying Eva Rawley on the hit NBC sitcom 227 and on runway circuits for global luxury houses such as Chanel and Versace.
- She is survived by her twin children, Airyn and Julian, whom she shared with her former long-term partner, actor Robert De Niro.
Pioneering Model and Actress Toukie Smith Dies at 74
Toukie Smith, the groundbreaking fashion model and actress celebrated for her vibrant presence on the runway and television, has died at the age of 74. Her family confirmed that she passed away on Wednesday, November 4, at a hospital in New York following a prolonged struggle with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Her adult children, Airyn and Julian—whom she shared with former partner Robert De Niro—confirmed the news of her passing in an emotional public tribute. In a statement provided to Deadline, her children honored their mother’s enduring spirit and memory: Toukie was a force of nature,
adding, She left an indelible mark on our hearts and on everyone lucky enough to know her.
A Trailblazing Career in Fashion and Hollywood
Born Doris Smith in Philadelphia in 1952, she adopted the moniker Toukie during her childhood. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in 1990 about the origin of her name, she recalled: It was a nickname my grandmother gave me that came from a children’s record about a little red fire engine with lots of energy. I’ve always had lots of energy.
Her ascent in the fashion industry began in the early 1970s while she was a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Toukie quickly became one of the era’s most in-demand runway and editorial figures, walking and posing for historic international couture houses, including Chanel, Versace, Issey Miyake, and Thierry Mugler. Beyond top European ateliers, Toukie was also a celebrated muse and frequent collaborator for her brother, the iconic American fashion designer Willi Smith, who died in 1987 at the age of 39.
Expanding her creative talents to the screen, Smith gained mainstream recognition for her recurring role as Eva Rawley on the popular NBC sitcom 227. Her screen credits also included appearances in feature films such as Joe’s Apartment and the 1996 holiday drama The Preacher’s Wife.
Personal Life and High-Profile Relationship with Robert De Niro
In 1988, Smith entered a high-profile relationship with Hollywood icon Robert De Niro. The couple remained together for nearly a decade before amicably separating in 1996. During their partnership, they welcomed twin sons, Julian and Airyn, in 1995 via in vitro fertilization (IVF) delivered through a surrogate mother.
Despite being in the public eye during the pinnacle of her and De Niro’s careers, Smith fiercely guarded her home life and boundaries. She famously told a reporter during that era: What’s great about a private life is it’s private.
Following her death, daughter Airyn shared a sentimental throwback photograph with her mother on social media, writing: I’ll always love you, Mom.
Why This Matters
Toukie Smith’s impact extended far beyond her individual modeling and screen credits. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, her children highlighted how their mother shared in a remarkable family legacy that helped shape American fashion and culture
and emphasized that her beauty, grace and unmistakable presence helped pave the way for generations of Black models and designers in fashion.
Alongside her brother Willi Smith, she played a transformative role in diversifying American haute couture and commercial runways during the 1970s and 1980s.
Her family confirmed that her passing followed a courageous struggle with multiple sclerosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, MS is a chronic neurological disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective coating surrounding nerve fibers, interrupting signals sent between the brain and the body. While therapies exist to manage symptoms such as coordination loss, mobility challenges, and numbness, the autoimmune condition currently has no known cure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Toukie Smith best known for?
Toukie Smith was an accomplished high-fashion model who worked with premier global brands like Chanel, Versace, and Thierry Mugler. On television, she was best known for portraying Eva Rawley on the hit NBC comedy series 227, as well as roles in films like The Preacher’s Wife.
How many children did Toukie Smith have with Robert De Niro?
Toukie Smith and Robert De Niro had two children together: twins Julian and Airyn, who were born via in vitro fertilization (IVF) with the help of a surrogate mother in 1995.
What was the cause of Toukie Smith’s death?
Toukie Smith passed away at a hospital in New York after living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system.
