17 years after Anna Nicole Smith’s death – how her daughter looks like today

Anna Nicole Smith unquestionably dominated headlines as one of the most polarizing figures of the 1990s.

Her path to stardom began with a breakout Playboy spread, which culminated in her being named Playmate of the Year in 1993. Her career trajectory soared as she became the face of renowned labels like Guess, H&M, Heatherette, and Lane Bryant.

Tragically, her journey followed a familiar pattern of a dazzling career overshadowed by personal struggles. Yet, Anna’s spirit endures, vivaciously reflected in her daughter, Dannielynn.

Anna Nicole Smith circa 1990

Born as Vickie Lynn Hogan in 1967, Anna Nicole Smith’s formative years were spent in Houston, Texas, under the care of her mother and aunt after her father left during her infancy.

Those close to her often recount a challenging childhood marked by a strict upbringing by her mother, Virgie.

“Vickie’s early life was far from easy. [Her mother] was very firm and unyielding,” her long-time confidant Jo McLemore shared with ABC News.

Leaving high school prematurely, Anna found solace in Billy Smith, a like-minded youth. The swiftly married couple welcomed their son, Daniel, into the world, with Anna being just 18 at the time.

Anna’s marriage to Billy was short-lived, leaving her as a single mother, devoid of formal education and stable employment. This dire situation led her to the world of exotic dancing, which eventually placed her on Playboy’s radar.

Following a sequence of Playboy photoshoots, Anna Nicole’s allure took the modeling world by storm as she was represented by the prestigious William Morris agency.

Anna Nicole became ubiquitous, gracing campaigns internationally, including a particularly provocative one for H&M that became the talk of the town.

Her influence was so profound that some believed her billboards distracted motorists, causing them to lose focus on the road.

During this zenith of her career, Anna Nicole emerged as an international sensation, with the media captivated by her every move, an experience she relished.

“I revel in the attention of the paparazzi. I just beam when they take my photo. I’ve always craved the spotlight. It was denied to me growing up, and I’ve always sought to be the center of attention,” she expressed to the Washington Post.

Despite the glitz, the lifestyle of a starlet has its shadowy aspects.

Her marriage to oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall became the linchpin of controversy due to their 63-year age gap, stirring public speculation about her intentions.

Married in 1994, their union faced a swift challenge as Marshall fell ill and passed away in 1995, an event that left Anna devastated.

“His passing was enormously difficult for me,” Smith reflected in a “20/20” interview in 2000.

“He loved me before I was somebody, and that’s what many don’t understand. I refuse to be deemed a gold digger as that’s not who I am. I could’ve wed him shortly after meeting, but I didn’t. I strived and forged my own path,” she ardently declared.

The subsequent years were marred by legal battles as Anna fought for her deceased husband’s estate, a conflict that escalated to the Supreme Court in 2006.

An overdose claimed Anna Nicole’s life in 2007, mere months after the birth of her daughter Dannielynn. Her announcement of her pregnancy through a website video came as a surprise to her fans.

Dannielynn’s early years

Regrettably, Anna could not witness her daughter’s journey to adulthood.

In the aftermath of her mother’s passing, Dannielynn became an instantly recognizable child engulfed in public drama and conjecture.

A parade of potential fathers initially stepped forward to claim paternity to Anna Nicole’s child, culminating in a courtroom-mandated DNA test that confirmed Larry Birkhead as Dannielynn’s biological father.

“I regret having to be the one to say ‘I told you so,’ but the truth stands: I am her father. I eagerly await the day my little girl can come home with me,” Larry expressed to the media throng gathered outside the Nassau courthouse in 2007.

Concerns over the child’s future proliferated, as the spotlight has often led progenies of celebrities astray, burdening them with more than they bargained for.

Fortuitously, Larry has carved out a more grounded approach to parenting. His daughter enjoys regular schooling, participates in scouts, and attends church services every Sunday. They reside together in the state of Kentucky.

“Larry is determined to prevent Dannielynn from falling into the trappings of the entertainment industry lifestyle that captivated Anna Nicole, who found herself amidst fame-chasers and opportunists,” an insider disclosed to National Enquirer previously.

Now, 14 years after her mother’s passing, Dannielynn has blossomed into a young woman bearing a striking resemblance to her late mother, a sentiment echoed by many over time.

As she matures, Dannielynn’s unique traits and similarities to her father become ever more apparent.

Speaking with Us Weekly, Larry shared Dannielynn’s aspirations of becoming a YouTuber and creating videos, but he cautions her about the work involved given her age of just 11 years. For now, selling Girl Scout cookies is on the agenda, he says.

Dannielynn has also expressed her potential interest in acting, a path once walked by her mother.

During an interview, she shared her enthusiasm, saying, “Assuming the persona of someone else, rather than being oneself, is remarkably intriguing and entertaining. It’s a joy to adopt a new character.” Together with her father, she has made appearances on a range of shows like ‘Life after Anna’, ‘Wife Swap’, and ‘The Millionaire Matchmaker’.

Yet, it’s evident that thoughts of her mother are never far from her mind.

In a touching nod to her mother during the Kentucky Derby last year, Dannielynn donned a pink dress reminiscent of one Anna Nicole had worn back in 2004.

If you feel Anna Nicole Smith would have been overjoyed by her daughter’s remembrance and achievements, please share this touching story!