Dannielynn Birkhead Honors Late Mother Anna Nicole Smith at Kentucky Derby Gala in Touching Tribute

Dannielynn Birkhead, the daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith, paid a heartfelt tribute to her mother on the eve of the 2025 Kentucky Derby. The 18-year-old donned a stunning black gown, once worn by her mother to the very same event 21 years prior, for the annual Barnstable Brown Gala on May 2nd.

The floor-length black dress, featuring intricately designed crystal-adorned straps on both the front and back, was a memorable choice, carrying with it a powerful connection to Anna Nicole Smith’s legacy. Smith originally wore the gown to the Barnstable Brown Gala in 2004, making Dannielynn’s decision to wear it a deeply symbolic gesture.

Larry Birkhead, Dannielynn’s father, shared his thoughts on Instagram, expressing the emotional weight of the moment. "Dannielynn is wearing Anna Nicole’s dress that she wore 21 years ago to this same event. Life full circle. She said she chose the dress because it was her Mom’s and super cool," he wrote, capturing the essence of the tribute.

The Barnstable Brown Gala, a star-studded affair since its inception in 1989, has raised over $21 million for diabetes treatment and research. The event, a highlight of the Kentucky Derby weekend, is hosted by philanthropist Patricia Barnstable-Brown and her son Chris Barnstable-Brown at their private mansion in Louisville, Kentucky. The gala attracts a diverse range of celebrities and influential figures, all united in their support for the cause.

Larry Birkhead, a professional photographer and former boyfriend of Anna Nicole Smith, shared his emotional reaction to witnessing his daughter wear the dress. Speaking with People magazine, the 52-year-old revealed that the dress had been carefully stored for years. "It was emotional because the last time I saw that dress was on Anna," he said, highlighting the poignant memory associated with the gown.

Birkhead, a Kentucky native, first met Smith at the Barnstable Gala in 2003, a year before she initially wore the dress. He recounted a touching memory from Dannielynn’s childhood, saying that when she was a little girl, she would often touch the dress with fascination. "When his daughter was a little girl, she walked over and she put her hand on the dress and now that shes actually old enough to wear it, it just seems surreal that were at this moment," he explained, emphasizing the surreal and meaningful nature of the event.

The father-daughter duo’s attendance at the Kentucky Derby has become a cherished tradition, marking their annual public outing since Dannielynn was just three years old. Birkhead revealed that their yearly date was, somewhat accidentally, born out of a babysitter canceling on him the first year he brought her. Since then, the event has evolved into a special bonding experience, a way to honor Anna Nicole Smith’s memory, and a chance to experience the excitement of the Kentucky Derby together.

This year’s attendance is particularly significant, marking 18 years since Anna Nicole Smith’s death at the age of 39. Her sudden passing on February 8, 2007, sent shockwaves through the world, from her little-known hometown outside of Houston to the glittering lights of Hollywood. Smith collapsed in a hotel room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Florida and later died at a hospital. An autopsy, performed by the Broward County Medical Examiner’s office in Fort Lauderdale, ruled her death an accident.

Birkhead described Dannielynn’s dress choice as "a little edgier" compared to her typical wardrobe. He shared that he invests over $200,000 in storage bills to preserve Smith’s extensive collection of clothing and other personal items. "I think shes doing a fashion experiment for herself," Birkhead told People, suggesting that Dannielynn is exploring her own personal style while also connecting with her mother’s legacy. "Also, I think its really meaningful for her to wear. Im just glad shes going through and starting to wear some of (Smiths clothes) because she could literally pick out an outfit a day for the rest of her life and never wear the same thing twice with everything."

He continued, expressing his hope that Dannielynn would appreciate the significance of these items someday. "I just hope that she would appreciate some of these things someday, shes just now starting to get into the curiosity of some of the fashion and things in her moms world."

Dannielynn’s choice to wear her mother’s dress to the Barnstable Brown Gala not only showcased her growing sense of style but also served as a poignant reminder of Anna Nicole Smith’s enduring presence. It was a beautiful and emotional tribute, a way for Dannielynn to connect with her mother’s past and honor her memory on a significant occasion. It was a moment filled with love, remembrance, and the powerful connection between a mother and daughter, transcending time and loss. The Gala was a celebration of Anna’s life through the continuation of her legacy by her daughter.