Larry Birkhead is a celebrity photographer and the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn. He is best known for his involvement in a highly publicized paternity dispute over the parentage of Dannielynn, and for his legal battle with Smith’s estate over her fortune. In this biography, we take a closer look at Birkhead’s life, from his early years to his later life.
Larry Birkhead’s Early Life
Larry Birkhead was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1973. He attended the University of Louisville, where he studied photography. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He quickly established himself as a successful photographer, shooting for magazines such as People and Us Weekly.
In 2004, Birkhead met Anna Nicole Smith and the two began a relationship. She was still married to her husband, Howard K. Stern, but the two were separated at the time.
Larry Birkhead’s Relationship with Anna Nicole Smith
The relationship between Birkhead and Smith was highly publicized. After Smith’s husband died in 2006, Birkhead and Smith got engaged and had a daughter, Dannielynn, in September of that year. However, the paternity of Dannielynn was disputed by Smith’s partner, Howard K. Stern, who claimed to be the father. Birkhead filed a lawsuit to establish paternity, and in April 2007, a DNA test confirmed that he was the father.
In February 2007, Smith died unexpectedly of an accidental drug overdose. Birkhead and Stern then fought a long legal battle over the custody of Dannielynn and Smith’s estate. Birkhead was ultimately granted full custody of Dannielynn and also won the right to manage her trust fund.
Larry Birkhead’s Later Life
Since the legal battle over Smith’s estate, Birkhead has kept a relatively low profile. He continues to work as a celebrity photographer, but has also become an advocate for mental health awareness. He has also appeared on various reality TV shows, such as Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Wife Swap.
Birkhead has also been involved in a number of charitable causes. He has been a longtime supporter of the Kentucky-based charity, Dare to Care, and has also worked with the Save the Manatee Club and the American Red Cross.
Larry Birkhead is best known for his involvement in the highly publicized paternity dispute over Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn. However, he has also forged a successful career as a celebrity photographer and has become an advocate for mental health awareness and charitable causes. Despite all the challenges he has faced, Larry Birkhead has remained resilient and is an inspiration to many.