What Happened to Anna Nicole Smith's Daughter?
Anna Nicole Smith’s story is one the world will never forget. The late Hollywood star was once the pinnacle of pop culture. Smith began her career as a playboy model, then pivoted to acting after marrying J. Howard Marshall, a billionaire oil tycoon. She was best known for her fascinating life, romantic pursuits, and untimely death—all of which are captured in a new Netflix documentary, Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me. In 2007, Smith died from a tragic drug overdose, five months after the birth of her daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead—and the death of her firstborn son, Daniel Wayne Smith.
You Don’t Know Me, directed by Ursula Macfarlane, investigates Smith’s harrowing life story with a mix of behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews. The film premiered on Netflix on May 16—and has left many questioning where Danielynne is today. Here’s everything we know.
How old is Dannielynn?
Smith’s daughter is 16. She was born on September 7th, 2006 in Nassau Bahamas. She was originally named Dannielynn Hope Marshal Stern, taking the last name of Smith's then-boyfriend, Howard K. Stern. Her name was officially changed the next year, following a paternity test.
Who is Dannielynn’s Father?
Dannielynn’s birth sparked a media frenzy. Anna Nicole Smith originally cited Howard Stern as her father, and issued his name on the birth certificate. At the time of Smith's death, Stern believed he was Danniellyn’s father, but Larry Birkhead, Smith's former photographer, did as well.
When Smith died, Birkhead fought for legal custody, and eventually filed a lawsuit against Stern. While the case was being settled, news broke that the paternal father could inert millions from Smith’s estate, which led to numerous false paternity claims. Eventually, a DNA test revealed that Birkhead was the biological father and he gained sole custody.
Danniellyn lives with Birkhead, but Stern is reportedly still a part of her life. In an interview with E! News, Birkhead said, “[Stern] gives advice and reaches out to us. Some people may think it’s weird, but he’s a good friend and has been real supportive.”
Is Dannielynn in the Documentary?
Smith’s daughter is brought up during the film, but she does not appear in any interviews. In a statement provided to Entertainment Tonight, Birkhead explained that he did not want their family to be involved in the project.
“We declined to participate [in the documentary] as I did not want my daughter in an overwhelmingly poorly reviewed cesspool of a project about her mother, where some people were allowed to invent things and rewrite history,” he said. “I am looking forward to a true, definitive, Anna Nicole project where her truth can be heard from her own perspective and by those that truly knew her the best and not just another ‘wash, rinse and repeat’ Anna Nicole project. Anna truly deserved better and the day will come.”
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