Anna Nicole Smith opera in the works

LONDON, April 4 (UPI) -- The British co-creator of "Jerry Springer: The Opera" said he is working on a new opera inspired by the life of late U.S. sex symbol Anna Nicole Smith.

Smith was a former stripper, model, actress and spokesperson who married a wealthy older man, then battled his family for his fortune for years after he died.

Smith's 20-year-old son died suddenly of a lethal combination of prescription drugs while visiting her in the hospital after she gave birth to her daughter.

Smith herself died of an accidental drug overdose several months later, after which two of her ex-boyfriends claimed paternity and fought for custody of her infant daughter.

The Telegraph said composer Richard Thomas is writing the libretto for a contemporary show based on her life, which is to be acted out on the main stage of the Royal Opera House in 2010, accompanied by a 90-piece orchestra.

Thomas said Smith's life story is "a classic American tale about celebrity," which is "intrinsically operatic."

The composer told The Independent newspaper, "She was quite a smart lady with the tragic flaw that she could not seem to get through life without a vat of prescription painkillers."