Born Doris Smith in Philadelphia in 1952, Toukie Smith grew into one of the memorable faces of American fashion. She began modeling in the early 1970s, eventually working with celebrated designers including Hubert de Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, and Issey Miyake. Her distinctive appearance and confident personality helped her stand out in an industry known for fierce competition. In 1978, Bloomingdale’s named her Model of the Year, recognizing her growing influence. Her connection to fashion was also deeply personal. Her brother, Willi Smith, became an influential designer whose work helped shape American streetwear. Together, their contributions became part of a larger cultural legacy.

Toukie eventually expanded her career beyond modeling and into acting. Television audiences saw her on Miami Vice, but many remember her best for playing Eva Rawley on the beloved sitcom 227. Appearing alongside performers such as Marla Gibbs, she brought her distinctive personality to a show that remains familiar to generations of viewers. Her film appearances included I Like It Like That and The Preacher’s Wife. She also explored the restaurant business, demonstrating that her interests extended beyond the fashion runway and television studio. Throughout her career, she worked to establish an identity based on her own accomplishments rather than her connections to other famous people.

Her personal life attracted considerable attention because of her relationship with Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro. The couple began dating in 1988 and welcomed twins, Airyn and Julian, through a surrogate in 1995. Their relationship ended the following year, but Smith remained committed to maintaining privacy around her family. In a 1990 interview with the Los Angeles Times, she offered a simple explanation of why she valued keeping personal matters out of the spotlight: “What’s great about a private life is it’s private.” Those words reflected a woman who understood the difference between having a public career and allowing the public into every part of her life.

Smith passed away on November 4, 2026, at a New York hospital following a prolonged battle with multiple sclerosis, according to her children. Their tribute remembered not only her accomplishments but also the powerful impression she made on the people who knew her. Her passing marks the loss of a woman who contributed to fashion, television, and film while building a family life she valued deeply. For longtime viewers who remember her from 227, her face may bring back memories of evenings spent watching television with loved ones. For others, her career represents determination, individuality, and a willingness to pursue different dreams. But for Airyn and Julian, her most important role was simply being their mother.