Mother

Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, has continued the family’s Kentucky Derby tradition once again. This time, however, Dannielynn debuted a fresh, new look special for the occasion, while maintaining a tradition that has a lot of meaning for the family. Dannielynn is the 17-year-old daughter of Smith, who died in 2007 at the age of 39, with entertainment photographer Larry Birkhead. She was the center of a highly publicized paternity case between Birkhead and attorney Howard K. Stern, who was Smith’s live-in partner at the time. With Birkhead declared Dannielynn’s biological father, he was granted sole custody of her. Dannielynn Birkhead shows off a new look with a fresh haircut at the 2024 Kentucky View this post on Instagram A post shared by Larry Birkhead (@larryanddannielynn) On Friday May 3, Dannielynn and Birkhead made glamorous public appearances on the eve of the big race on Saturday. Along the way, Birkhead took to social media to share a sweet father-daughter snap and some updates on their busy schedules. RELATED: Larry Birkhead Opens Up About Raising Anna Nicole Smith’s Daughter Dannielynn Out Of Public Eye “On our way to Barnstable-Brown Gala for the kick-off of the @kentuckyderby weekend,” he shared. Dannielynn is wearing her second @janetjackson outfit to the party that I got from Janet’s @juliens_auctions -charity auction. Looking forward to a fun Derby weekend with the newly graduated high school student!” The accompanying pictures feature Birkhead wearing a pale gray suit, dark tie, and matching polished shoes. He is accompanied by Dannielynn, cad in a long black dress that trails passed her ankles, and with cuffed sleeves that reach down to her wrists. She is seen wearing her signature blonde hair, so reminiscent of her mother’s, in long, loose beach waves. The dress has further been identified as a Gianfranco Ferre garment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Larry Birkhead (@larryanddannielynn) The following day, Dannielynn showed off her new look fully with a shorter haircut and a vibrant red outfit with bold layers over the shoulders. "Dannielynn’s dress was inspired by her favorite character Hino Eiji, Kamen Rider OOO TaJaDor combo -she made me write that -because that character had the same shoulders as the design of the dress she found," Birkhead explained. "Hey whatever works, just trying to spend a little quality time as this weekend of traditions come to a close…" The Kentucky Derby carries a lot of significance for Dannielynn and her family, as it is where Anna first met Birkhead, at the event’s Barnstable-Brown Gala back in 2003. In the years following Anna’s passing, the father-daughter duo made it a tradition to always attend together. Catching up with Dannielynn as she embarks on the next big adventure after the Kentucky Derby Attending the Kentucky Derby is a tradition with a lot of meaning for Dannielynn and Larry Birkhead / Instagram Dannielynn’s birthday back in September saw her officially qualify as the Dancing Queen, all of 17 and now has college as an ever-approaching reality. By time of writing, there is no official confirmation as to where she wants to attend, but furthering her education is part of her plans for the future. In fact, her studies are often on Dannielynn’s mind. Just last June, Birkhead was bursting with pride sharing that Dannielynn had made the honor roll—again. It was a bittersweet accomplishment plagued by the worst kind of heartbreak. Dannielynn was at the center of a highly publicized paternity case / (c) ABC Television/Rick Rowell/Courtesy Everett Collection “Dannielynn finished 11th grade and maintained honor roll through some challenging times we had taking care of my Mom before she passed away,” he shared. “I am so proud!” Dannielynn had previously revealed that she was considering a career in forensics and she seems to be on the right track to jump into rigorous studying. Dannielynn is studious and making plans for college / Instagram RELATED: Larry Birkhead Pays Tribute To Anna Nicole Smith As Their Daughter Turns 17