Dannielynn Birkhead Honors Mother at Derby Gala

At the 2025 Kentucky Derby's Barnstable Brown Gala, 18-year-old Dannielynn Birkhead honored her late mother, Anna Nicole Smith, by wearing Smith's black, crystal-embellished gown from the 2004 event and styling her hair and accessories to mirror her mother's iconic look. This marked the first time Larry Birkhead saw the dress on his daughter instead of Anna, making the moment especially emotional and 'full circle' for him. Dannielynn described the tribute as 'the closest to a hug I can get from her,' highlighting its personal significance. Larry revealed that Dannielynn is only beginning to explore her mother's preserved wardrobe. Their appearance received widespread praise, especially for Dannielynn's resemblance to her mother. The gala, a major diabetes research fundraiser, added further meaning to the evening.