The Toukie Smith cause of death is multiple sclerosis, her twin children confirmed after the model and actress died at 74. Smith, best known as Eva Rawley on NBC’s sitcom 227, died on November 4, 2026, at a New York hospital, according to Hello!. However, her children, Airyn and Julian De Niro, shared the news on November 9, so fans learned of her death several days later.
Toukie Smith Cause Of Death at a Glance
| Detail | What the Reports Say |
|---|---|
| Name | Toukie Smith, born Doris A. Smith |
| Age | 74 |
| Date of death | November 4, 2026 |
| Place of death | A hospital in New York |
| Cause | Multiple sclerosis, after a long illness |
| Announced by | Her twin children, Airyn and Julian De Niro, on November 9 |
| Best-known role | Eva Rawley on 227 |
| Former partner | Robert De Niro |
What Was Toukie Smith’s Cause of Death?
Smith died after a long battle with multiple sclerosis, her children said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. They called it a “long, courageous battle,” as Men’s Journal reported.
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a condition in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers. As a result, it can disrupt communication between the brain and the body, and symptoms vary from person to person.
The family has not said when Smith was diagnosed, and the reports do not describe her treatment. Therefore, the announcement confirms the illness but leaves out the story of her final months.
Who Was Toukie Smith From 227?
Smith was a model and actress who was born Doris A. Smith in Philadelphia in 1952. She joined 227 in 1989 as Eva Rawley, and she appeared alongside Marla Gibbs while the sitcom wrapped up its 1985 to 1990 run, as Men’s Journal noted. Before that, she also appeared in Miami Vice.
Her modeling career began in 1972 while she studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Later, she worked with designers including Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Issey Miyake and Patrick Kelly, according to Parade. In addition, Bloomingdale’s named her Model of the Year in 1978, Wikiwand notes.
She was also the sister of designer Willi Smith, who died in 1987 at age 39.
Toukie Smith Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1952 | Born Doris A. Smith in Philadelphia |
| 1972 | Starts modeling while studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology |
| 1978 | Earns Bloomingdale’s Model of the Year honors |
| 1987 | Appears in Miami Vice |
| 1989 | Joins 227 as Eva Rawley |
| 2026 | Dies in New York at age 74 |
What Was Toukie Smith’s Relationship With Robert De Niro?
Smith and Robert De Niro were together from 1988 to 1996. Their twins, Airyn and Julian, were born on October 20, 1995, and the children were conceived through IVF and born via a surrogate, according to USA Today as cited by Men’s Journal. The couple split for good in 1996, but their children have largely stayed out of the spotlight, Parade reported.
How Are Toukie Smith’s Children Remembering Her?
Airyn and Julian called their mother “a force of nature,” according to a statement shared with Deadline. Meanwhile, Airyn also posted a throwback photo of the two together, and she wrote that she will always love her mom, LADbible reported. The family has not shared memorial details yet.
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FAQs About the Toukie Smith Cause Of Death
What was the Toukie Smith cause of death?
Multiple sclerosis. Her children said she died after a long, courageous battle with the illness.
When did Toukie Smith die?
She died on November 4, 2026, and her children announced it on November 9.
How old was Toukie Smith?
She was 74.
Who were Toukie Smith’s children?
Airyn and Julian De Niro, twins she shared with actor Robert De Niro.
What was Toukie Smith known for?
She played Eva Rawley on 227, and she also built a career as a fashion model.
Remembering Toukie Smith
The Toukie Smith cause of death brings a quiet end to a career that moved between high fashion and American television. Her children chose to remember her strength, while her work on 227 and on the runway keeps her story alive for fans.
Faizullah Baig
Entertainment & Digital Culture Writer at WordPlay2018
Faizullah Baig is a writer at WordPlay2018 covering entertainment, celebrity news, movies, television, pop culture, and digital trends.
His work focuses on explaining current entertainment stories in a clear and reader-friendly way, with attention to the details behind trending headlines.
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Faizullah primarily covers:
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Faizullah aims to distinguish confirmed information from reports, estimates, and speculation. For developing stories, information may be updated as additional reliable details become available.
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