Dannielynn Anna Nicole’s daughter pays tribute
Dannielynn gives her first interview on her late mum’s 50th birthday
Anna Nicole Smith’s little girl Dannielynn is growing up fast – and she’s given her first interview alongside dad Larry Birkhead, who has lovingly raised her since her mum’s tragic death.
The 11-year-old was born in the Bahamas, three days before her half-brother Daniel died of an accidental drug overdose while visiting his mum in hospital. Just five months after giving birth to Dannielynn, Anna Nicole died of an overdose at the age of 39.
While the Playboy Playmate remains a big part of their lives – they spent what would have been her 50th birthday in the Bahamas – Larry, 44, is extremely protective when it comes to his daughter.
“It’s like the President having those people that follow him around,” Dannielynn jokes.
“They’re incredibly close and Larry is a great dad,” an insider tells Woman’s Day. “Dannielynn is his pride and joy, and he would do absolutely anything for her.”
Dannielynn likes learning about “different cultures” in social studies and plays the violin in the orchestra, but says her favourite school subject is “lunch”.
“On the way, Dad sings and I usually put on my headphones,” she says, laughing.
While Larry wants to be honest with his daughter, he hasn’t told her Anna Nicole’s entire story just yet. “She knows we only take medication we’re supposed to take and how we’re supposed to take it,” he says. “I’ve always told her good things, and I’ve told her some of the things that weren’t so great to the extent that she’s able to understand them right now.”
Dannielynn bears a striking resemblance to her mum and has modelled for Guess Kids, but Larry doesn’t want her in the spotlight until she’s older.
“She gets a lot of offers all the time,” tells the insider. “Larry is really focused on ensuring she has a normal childhood, but Dannielynn loves modelling. In a few years, we will probably be seeing a lot more of her!”
Their quiet life in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the ways the photographer ensures his child has a typical upbringing.
“That’s something I’m proud of, that I’ve been able to… give her a feel of normalcy. She’s just like any other kid,” Larry says. “Sometimes you feel like a shield, sometimes... like a bodyguard and sometimes… like a chauffeur. But my job is dad and I think I’ve done pretty good.”
‘My job is dad and I think I’ve done pretty good’