How Dannielynn Birkhead Honored Mom Anna Nicole Smith With 2023 Kentucky Derby Style

Dannielynn Birkhead, the daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith, stepped out in style with her dad Larry Birkhead ahead of the Kentucky Derby on May 6. See the 16-year-old on the red carpet.
Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter is all grown up.
Dannielynn Birkhead was joined by her dad, Larry Birkhead, at the 34th annual Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala May 5. For the occasion, the 16-year-old paid tribute to her mom, wearing a top featuring photos from Anna Nicole’s Guess campaign. To complete the look, she also stunned in the late model’s jewelry.
“Tonight is the 20th anniversary where I met Dannielynn’s Mom at the same event,” Larry wrote on Instagram, later adding, “Can’t believe Dannielynn is almost 17. Time for a great Derby weekend.”
The Kentucky Derby holds a special place in Dannielynn’s heart. After all, she’s been attending the annual horse race (airing May 6 on Peacock and NBC) with her father ever since she was a little girl.
“It’s her one day a year outing that we do publicly,” Larry said of the family tradition in a 2022 interview with Louisville Courier Journal. “I think you guys can take pictures and watch her grow from just this event.”
Because of the public fascination with Dannielynn’s late mom, who died in 2007 at the age of 39, the two aren’t fond of the spotlight. Instead, the 50-year-old said that he and Dannielynn use their yearly visit to Churchill Downs as an opportunity to update fans on their lives and “have some fun at the same time.”
“It all works,” he continued. “It all falls together.”
And last year’s Kentucky Derby was certainly one to remember for Dannielynn, who met Janet Jackson while wearing wore a black belted suit once belonging to the singer.
“What a night!” Larry captioned an Instagram photo of the trio last May. “Dannielynn got to meet @janetjackson at the Barnstable-Brown Gala.”
Calling Janet “so gracious,” the photographer added, “She made Dannielynn so happy.”
To see Dannielynn’s Kentucky Derby outfits through the years, keep reading.
May 7, 2022
Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter, then 15, sports a colorful look as she poses with dad Larry Birkhead at the 2022 Kentucky Derby
May 6, 2022
Larry and Dannielynn appear at the 2022 Barnstable-Brown Gala, a Kentucky Derby pre-party. Dannielynn is wearing the outfit that Janet Jackson wore to the 2003 Barnstable-Brown Gala. Larry said it was purchased in a Julien’s Auction, with proceeds benefitting charity.