Larry Birkhead's Secret Romance with Anna Nicole Smith

0:00Larry Birkhead recently opened up on the dumb blonde podcast about his secret two-year romance with Anna Nicole Smith toward the end of her life. He explained that Smith craved the spotlight because it made her feel loved and didn't want to share that attention with anyone. The former Playboy model died at age 39 in February 2007 from an accidental drug overdose just months after her son Daniel. Died at 21 from a similar cause. Birkhead is the father of her daughter, Danielin. The podcast host, Bunny Zo, shared her own strange encounter with Smith and her lawyer, Howard K. Stern in Las Vegas, describing Stern's protective vibe. Birkhead echoed that, calling the circle around Smith cult-like at times. He made a point to stay independent, keeping his job and not relying on her money, even as tensions arose with Stern over their relationship. Being with Smith came with challenges. Birkhead said, since she kept everything under wraps. In public interviews and on red carpets, she played up an image of being single and desirable, claiming no one asked her out.

1:03That helped fuel her fame, but meant that romance stayed hidden from fans. Birkhead had mixed views on Stern. Sure, there were clashes, especially around personal boundaries, but he also praised Stern for negotiating her deals without taking a cut and acting. Like a father figured to Daniel. Their relationship only came to light after Smith's death. When Birkhead won a DNA proven paternity battle for Danielin in April 2007. Today, father and daughter continue making public appearances together. That wraps Durham News Today, brought to you with AI.