Anna Nicole Smith’s legacy still lives on through her ex Larry Birkhead and their daughter, Dannielynn.
Birkhead, 49, shared a heartwarming tribute to Smith on the 15th anniversary of her tragic death. The model died on Feb. 8, 2007 at the age of 39 from an accidental drug overdose.
Smith was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Hollywood, Florida, while she was traveling with her lawyer Howard K. Stern.
“Still remembering this one 15 years after her death. She was truly one of a kind. She struggled for love and acceptance,” the Kentucky-born photographer wrote on Instagram.
“Just when she found a little piece of one or the other, life seemed to sabotage. Today, I remember your heart, your soul and your beauty, both inside and out,” Birkhead continued.
He concluded his tearful note, “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. Thanks to Anna’s fans for helping keep her memory alive. We love you Anna Nicole #annanicolesmith #loveisalive#ifmomcouldseeyounow.”
In 2020, Birkhead discussed the whirlwind series of events that began following the “Illegal Aliens” star’s untimely death.
He candidly opened up to Fox News at the time, saying, “Really for me, it was tough. I went to the point where I had dropped 30 or 40 pounds. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. It was a tough spot to be in.”
Birkhead continued, “Not having to witness your child being born, to then having to hear that Anna’s son died, then having to deal with Anna’s death, then planning Anna’s funeral. I went from buying a tombstone to buying my daughter’s first birthday present and planning her birthday party. It was a lot for me to process. And . . . I was in a spot where I was numb for a while. I just walked through it.”
The Playboy centerfold’s son from a previous marriage, Daniel Wayne Smith, died on Sept. 10, 2006 from an accidental overdose — just three days after Dannielynn’s birth.
A film about Smith’s final days is also in the works. According to Deadline, “Hurricanna” will star Holly Hunter as Smith’s therapist, who tries to do everything in her power to save the actress from pain.
Producers described the biopic as looking into the “immense hurricane-like force that was Anna Nicole Smith, and the fateful string of events that led Anna to destroy everything in her path, including herself and those closest to her.”
“Glow” star Betty Gilpin was previously in talks to star as Smith, however, just recently dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
Francesca Gregorini will direct the picture while Rachel Sarnoff and Matt Sarnoff are writing the screenplay.