Anna Nicole Smith's Ex-lover Won Custody Fight & Shields His Girl from 'Dark Side' That Took Her Mom

• Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Dannielynn, was five months old when her mother tragically died in a hotel room at 39.
• After the model's death, photographer Larry Birkhead claimed that he is the father of Dannielynn and fought with late star's partner for the girl.
• Larry, who became a single father, continues to protect his daughter from the "dark side" that took her mother.

Though she was an "icon of female perfection," Anna Nicole Smith faced numerous challenges. She underwent multiple cosmetic procedures, including four breast augmentations, and lived with constant pain, leading to her addiction to pain pills. In a candid moment, the Playboy Playmate conveyed the sacrifices she made to maintain her image, stating the terrible things she did to herself.

In real life, Smith was not just an enchanting lady but a shrewd businesswoman who hired lawyer Howard K. Stern. He served as her legal counsel and business manager, ensuring her affairs were well-handled.

However, their professional relationship took a surprising turn when the "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult" actress couldn't contain her feelings for her lawyer and impulsively kissed him, marking a significant turning point in their connection. Reflecting on that decisive moment, the "The Anna Nicole Show" star confessed, "I knew I was in love the first time I kissed him."

On September 7, 2006, the beauty welcomed her daughter Dannielynn Hope, who resembled her strikingly. She claimed that Stern was the newborn's father, and the baby girl's arrival led them to hold a commitment ceremony in the Bahamas. Although not officially married, they exchanged vows, cementing their bond as a family on September 28, 2006.

Stern regarded the model as "his entire world." If circumstances had been kinder, this could have marked the beginning of a happy family life with the daughter.

Inside Anna Nicole Smith's Hotel Room Before Her Tragic Death at 39

In a tragic turn of events, 39-year-old Smith spent her final moments in her hotel room at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the Bahamas. On February 8, 2007, at 2:49 a.m., she died from an accidental prescription drug overdose. The autopsy report revealed a lethal combination of prescription medications in her system, including sedatives and powerful painkillers. It was a heartbreaking conclusion that shed light on the troubled struggles the TV star had faced throughout her life.

Her "devastated" partner couldn't even speak. He was the one who urgently sought paramedics for Smith, racing from their room to the hotel front desk. According to a witness, he appeared "frantic" in his actions. "She was my best friend, my lover, the mother of my daughter, everything to me, I mean literally everything, my whole world," said Howard, who was left with 5-month-old baby Dannielynn.

However, shortly after Smith's tragic death, Stern was accused of helping his beloved woman, who meant the world to him, to get prescription drugs in illegal ways. He was arrested and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The judge dismissed the felony charges against him.

Paternity Battle for Anna Nicole Smith's Daughter

Unexpected revelations came to light when entertainment reporter and photographer Larry Birkhead claimed that he was the biological father of the model's daughter, Dannielynn Hope. He further asserted that it was Smith who had informed him about the paternity and that he had even supported her during her prenatal appointments.

The former lover revealed that following the baby's birth, the star did not want to communicate and withheld details about daughter's arrival. Undeterred, Birkhead demanded the return of the baby girl from the Bahamas to California for paternity testing. Smith's friend described that period as really messy, saying:

"There was such a circus when she died."

The truth is, Smith and celebrity photographer Birkhead met at the Barnstable Brown Gala in 2003, and he vividly remembers that day as if it happened just yesterday. He walked with his camera bags and hoped to make decent snaps. But besides the shots, Birkhead also got to know the Hollywood beauty. He expressed his gratitude for being present at the event that night, as it marked the beginning of his journey as a father to Dannielynn.

Two months after Smith's tragic passing, a DNA test confirmed Birkhead as the father of her 7-month-old daughter, and he was granted sole custody. Leaving a Bahamas court, the photographer proudly declared, "I'm the father. I'm going to the toy store."

Larry Shields Dannielynn from "Dark Side" that Took Her Mom

With a triumphant win behind him, Birkhead and his infant daughter moved from the Bahamas to Larry's home in Kentucky. The concerned father shared that his baby girl handled her first flight with ease, and he was spotted carrying her in a green blanket.

Since then, the father-daughter duo has led a quiet life together in a small town. Right from the beginning, Birkhead couldn't help but notice the remarkable resemblance between Dannielynn and her late mother.

Birkhead revealed that his daughter has the exact generous nature and selective eating habits as Smith. "It's been a constant struggle since she was little," the single father confessed. He has had to supplement her meals with vitamins to keep her diet well-balanced. The girl doesn't eat meat or many vegetables and loves pasta and pizza with lots of sauce, just like her mom.

Dannielynn also wants to make a difference in her father's life. On one occasion, they attended a swim party together, and Birkhead, the only dad among the moms, felt out of place. It was at this moment that 11-year-old girl did something lovely!

She suggested to her dad that he should get to know one of the moms. "It's adorable when she tries to encourage me to go out, date, and have fun," her 50-year-old bachelor dad shared. Nonetheless, Birkhead is overjoyed with his daughter, who has grown into a 16-year-old young lady.

Recently, the protective father removed all their family photos from his social media account. Instead, he shared a photo of ocean waves crashing against the pier, perhaps symbolizing his hiatus from posting pictures. "Waiting for some of the waves to pass... then will return," he captioned.

Many fans praised the father's wise decision to provide a private life for his daughter, referring to him as an "excellent" dad and even "the best father any daughter could wish for." One user acknowledged that his unwavering protection of his daughter shielded her from the dark side of Hollywood that tragically claimed her mother's life:

“You've done an amazing job at protecting her and pulling her away from the toxic environment and dark side of Hollywood (the media, love of money, & drugs and alcohol) that killed Anna Nicole…”

Larry Birkhead's decision to prioritize her well-being over publicity demonstrates the importance of parental love and protection in the face of adversity. Birkhead's dedication to providing a stable and private life for his daughter is commendable and serves as a moral lesson in putting family first and safeguarding loved ones from the dark side of the world.

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