Anna Nicole Smith's teen daughter pays tribute to late mom at 2023 Kentucky Derby

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By stefan armitage

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Anna Nicole Smith's 16-year-old daughter has paid a touching tribute to her late mom at this year's Kentucky Derby.

On Saturday (May 6), Dannielynn Birkhead - the only child of Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead - attended the world-famous derby alongside her father.

The father and daughter were all smiles as they celebrated the weekend's events, which marked the 149th annual Kentucky Derby.

Taking to Instagram to share photos from the event, 16-year-old Dannielynn could be seen wearing a sunflower print dress as she hung out with Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. Fans were also to point out how Dannielynn's smile was identical to her mother's.

"My Lawd, she is beautiful like her mom!! Identical! Thank you dad for being there for her always! You rock," one person commented. A second added: "God she's so beautiful! She is a splitting image of her mom! God bless you both! Well done, dad!"

And in another post, the teenager could be seen posing alongside her father as they prepared for the Barnstable-Gala.

"Barnstable-Gala pre-party pics. Can’t believe Dannielynn is almost 17. Time for a great Derby weekend," the doting father captioned the post.

However, fans couldn't help but be moved by Dannielynn's outfit, which sported a collage of black & white images of her late mom. Larry's tie also featured the same fabric.

"I can’t even handle it. So bittersweet seeing her sweet face," one Instagram user commented.

"What a beautiful tribute to Anna Nicole," another added. "Dannielynn is the image of her beautiful mom."

People were also quick to congratulate Larry on his parenting skills, with one person commenting: "Both gorg. Love the matching tie and shirt. You are a great daddy. Keep up the good work."

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Credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy

In February of 2007, Anna Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose in the Bahamas when her daughter was just five months old.

A highly publicized paternity case ensued, in which several men - including Birkhead, Smith's attorney Howard K. Stern, and one of Smith's former bodyguards - all claimed to be Dannielynn's biological father.

After DNA tests confirmed that Birkhead was Dannielynn's dad, he took his daughter and raised her in Kentucky.

Last year, Larry shared a black and white photo of the former couple to mark fifteen years since the model's death.

"Still remembering this one 15 years after her death. She was truly one of a kind. She struggled for love and acceptance. Just when she found a little piece of one or the other, life seemed to sabotage," ex-entertainment photographer Birkhead wrote in the caption.

"Today, I remember your heart, your soul and your beauty, both inside and out," he added.

"Your love is alive still to this day, in the form of a truly one of a kind teenager with her Mom’s smile, beauty and courage," he added.

In fact, this year marks 20 years since Larry first met Anna Nicole at the annual Barnstable Brown Gala.

He was sent to the event as a young photographer.

Speaking to PEOPLE about that fateful day, he said: "It's great to be part of something that changed my life in so many ways.

"I think her mom would be proud," Larry continued. "She might tell me I should have dressed her in more pink — but I think she'd be happy. That she is the young lady she turned out to be."

Featured image credit: PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy