How Old Was Anna Nicole Smith‘s Baby When She Died? A Comprehensive Guide

Anna Nicole Smith was an American icon known for her modeling, reality TV appearances, and tumultuous personal life. Her sudden death at age 39 in 2007 left behind an infant daughter, sparking interest in the details of her family and relationships. Here is a comprehensive guide to how old Smith‘s daughter Dannielynn Hope was when her mother passed away, along with background on Anna Nicole‘s eventful life and legacy.

A Short Biography of Anna Nicole Smith

Before delving into the specifics around her daughter, it helps to understand Anna Nicole Smith‘s background. Here are some key facts about her life:

• Born Vickie Lynn Hogan in 1967 in Texas. Dropped out of high school at age 15.

• Married at age 17 to Billy Smith. Had son Daniel in 1986. Divorced in 1987.

• Became famous as a Guess Jeans model in the early 1990s after losing weight. Adopted stage name Anna Nicole Smith.

• Named Playboy Playmate of the year in 1993. Appeared on Playboy covers thereafter.

• Married 89-year-old oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II in 1994 when she was 26. He died 14 months later.

• Starred in her own reality show The Anna Nicole Show from 2002-2004.

• Gave birth to daughter Dannielynn in September 2006 at age 39.

• Died of accidental drug overdose in February 2007 at Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.

Anna Nicole Smith lived an extraordinary life in just 39 years. She transformed herself from a small-town girl into an international sex symbol and pop culture celebrity. Her marriages and legal battles kept her in the tabloid spotlight until her tragic end.

Dannielynn‘s Birth and Age When Anna Nicole Died

Anna Nicole Smith‘s daughter Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern was born on September 7, 2006 in the Bahamas. The baby girl was born when her mother was 39 years old.

Tragically, Anna Nicole Smith would die just five months after giving birth to Dannielynn. She was found unconscious in her hotel room on February 8, 2007 and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

An autopsy would later reveal her cause of death to be an accidental drug overdose. With Smith‘s sudden passing, her infant daughter Dannielynn was left motherless at only 5 months old.

Dannielynn never got the chance to really know her mother, as she was still a newborn when Anna Nicole died. She would be raised by her father Larry Birkhead, who had to fight for custody.

The Fight for Custody of Baby Dannielynn

Anna Nicole Smith‘s unexpected death sparked a legal battle over who would gain custody of her orphaned infant Dannielynn.

Several men came forward claiming to be the girl‘s father, including Smith‘s lawyer and companion Howard K. Stern. Photographer Larry Birkhead, with whom Smith had a brief relationship, was determined to prove his paternity.

In April 2007, DNA test results confirmed that Birkhead was in fact Dannielynn‘s biological father. A Bahamian court awarded custody to Birkhead, who had persistently challenged Stern‘s claims of paternity.

Stern had been granted custody of Dannielynn in the Bahamas immediately after Smith‘s death. But once the DNA evidence proved he was not the father, he relinquished all custody claims. Birkhead brought the baby home with him to Louisville, Kentucky.

Dannielynn‘s Life Today at Age 16

Dannielynn Birkhead is now a teenager, having celebrated her 16th birthday in September 2022. She lives a quiet life in Kentucky with her devoted father Larry Birkhead, far from the media spotlight.

By keeping his daughter largely out of the public eye, Birkhead has given Dannielynn as normal a childhood as possible under the circumstances. Accounts from friends say she has grown into a well-adjusted girl who bears a strong resemblance to her beautiful mother.

Dannielynn makes occasional public appearances with her dad, who has said she has inherited Anna Nicole‘s looks, compassion, charm and free-spirited personality. Their loving father-daughter relationship is clear to all who know them.

While she never got to bond with her mom, Dannielynn reportedly takes pride in the legacy of her iconic parent. Anna Nicole Smith remains beloved by fans even 15 years after her death.

Anna Nicole Smith‘s Marriage to Oil Tycoon J. Howard Marshall II

One fascinating part of Anna Nicole Smith‘s intriguing life story was her marriage to elderly oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II. Their relationship was fodder for tabloids and gossip columns in the 1990s.

When 26-year-old Anna Nicole married the 89-year-old Marshall in 1994, their ages made for an eyebrow-raising 63 year difference. Critics called Smith a gold-digger only interested in Marshall for his vast fortune estimated at $1.6 billion.

The nuptials happened just a year after Smith had been named Playboy‘s Playmate of the Year in 1993. She had rocketed to fame after losing weight and adopting her now well-known persona.

Marshall passed away in August 1995 at age 90, only 14 months after marrying Smith. His son E. Pierce Marshall moved to claim his father‘s estate, arguing Anna Nicole deserved nothing.

This sparked an epic legal fight that continued even after Anna Nicole filed for bankruptcy in 1996. She publicly battled E. Pierce for half of J. Howard‘s money until her death, with the case reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Death of Anna Nicole‘s Son Daniel Smith

In the midst of her fight for J. Howard Marshall‘s fortune, Anna Nicole Smith suffered the devastating loss of her 20-year-old son Daniel.

Daniel Smith passed away suddenly on September 10, 2006 while visiting his mother and newborn baby sister in the Bahamas. The official cause of death was an accidental overdose on a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs Zoloft, Lexapro and methadone.

Losing her only son took an enormous emotional toll on Anna Nicole in the final months of her own life. Daniel was buried in the Bahamas near where his shattered mother would be laid to rest just five months later.

Many speculate that Daniel‘s passing expedited Anna Nicole‘s fatal drug and alcohol dependence. She never recovered from the tragedy before succumbing to an overdose herself in February 2007.

Anna Nicole Smith‘s Estate and Legacy

While her life story was marred by scandals and struggles with substance abuse, Anna Nicole Smith remains a pop culture icon even today.

Her daughter Dannielynn is the heir to her estate, which has increased in value thanks to smart management by father Larry Birkhead. Dannielynn also stands to inherit the trust fund set up for her by Birkhead after he gained custody.

Smith‘s larger than life personality and rags to riches tale have inspired numerous documentaries and dramatized portrayals in the 15 years since her death. Her beauty, charm and outrageous behavior continue to fascinate and entertain her loyal fans.

Despite her tragic end, Anna Nicole Smith‘s legacy lives on through her daughter. As Dannielynn grows up, she connects fans to the icon who left us far too soon but whose spirit endures.