Anna Nicole Smith had a life that fascinated people around the globe. From her days as a model to her high-profile marriage to J. Howard Marshall to her reality TV days, it was hard to take your eyes off her.
Sadly, her bright life came to an end when Anna Nicole died of an accidental overdose at 39 years old. It was just five months after she gave birth to Dannielynn.
Now 14 and 14 years removed from her mother's death, the young girl who is her legacy is taking steps to learn about her. In a new 20/20 special, Dannielynn and father Larry Birkhead visit some of the most significant places in Anna Nicole's early life.
Dannielynn Birkhead has grown up knowing life with a loving and caring father. The now 14-year-old is clearly happy and well taken care of, but there is the matter of her famous, fallen mother. Anna Nicole Smith, known as an unforgettable model and reality TV star, died just five months after giving birth to Dannielynn.
In a new two-hour 20/20 special, 14-year-old Dannielynn will get an opportunity to learn more about her famous mama's early life. Joining her on this emotional journey is father Larry Birkhead.
"I have a daughter who doesn't have a mom. I have to paint a picture for Dannielynn of who her mom was," Larry says in the special.
The two start out in Anna Nicole's hometown of Mexia, Texas. The small town has less than 8,000 people, but Anna Nicole's high school best friend still lives there. Jo McLemore is amazed at how much Dannielynn looks like a young Anna Nicole, who was born Vickie Lynn Hogan.
Anna Nicole had herself and a baby to support by the time she left Mexia for Houston. She worked as a stripper there, where she met her second husband, billionaire J. Howard Marshall II. Their marriage, despite the 63-year age difference, was headline news.
Anna Nicole's modeling career began taking off around the same time. She came a long way from her humble beginnings and eventually found Hollywood calling. To many, she had the makings of a modern Marilyn Monroe. Larry and Dannielynn also travel to Los Angeles, where Dannielynn gets to see some of Anna Nicole's belongings for the first time.
"She has a big heart like her mom had, and I think she could appreciate these things," Larry notes.
The 14-year-old seems both mesmerized and emotional as she takes it all in. Larry figures that because she's a teen, it's more important than ever for Dannielynn to feel connected to her mom.
Larry also found himself learning a lot about Anna Nicole in the special. As her learns more about her, he finds himself getting emotional about her highs and lows.
"To be really honest, I didn't know a whole lot about Anna — you know, her early years," he says.
The documentary is the most exposure the 14-year-old has gotten. Unlike many other celebrity children, she's growing up with a very typical life outside of the public eye. It will be interesting to see how much she channels Anna Nicole as she continues to grow. What's clear is she has a good head on her shoulders and lots of love from Larry.
