Larry Birkhead has “always tried to protect” his daughter since the death of Anna Nicole Smith.
Larry Birkhead has ‘always tried to protect’ his daughter since the death of Anna Nicole Smith
The 52-year-old photographer is father to Dannielynn, 18, with the legendary supermodel – who died of a of a drugs overdose at the age of 39 just six months after she gave birth in 2007 – and admitted it was “hard” to know just who to trust when he was bringing their daughter up alone.
He told E! News: “It’s hard. When she was younger and had friends over, or went out, it was tough figuring out who was genuine.
“I’ve always tried to protect her not just from media and paparazzi, but even people we let into our circle.
“Some had great intentions, but others didn’t.
“Some would say, ‘I want to hang out with you because I think I can get on Entertainment Tonight,’ or ‘Can you help my kid model? or ‘We need a vacation but can’t afford it. You hear all kinds of things.”
Larry added that to this day, while Dannielynn has “great friends”, he is always on guard and “scanning the room” whenever she spends time with someone.
He said: “She has great friends—but I’ve learned to keep one eye open.
“It feels like I’m always on security duty, always scanning the room. We’ve had to make life adjustments. But at the same time, we’ve had so much support.”
Ahead of Father’s Day, Larry revealed that members of the public often praise him on what he has managed to do as a single parent.
He said: “People come up and say, ‘You’ve inspired me as a single parent,’ or ‘Anna inspired me.’ Especially around Father’s Day, I get those comments—and I actually make them repeat it.
“I’m like ‘Could you say that again? Oh, I’m a good dad? One more time, please!'”
Larry also shared an update on his daughter, and revealed that she is pursuing an education in the way that her mother never did.
He said: “Her mom only went to school until the 10th grade, and I’ve always encouraged Dannielynn to aim higher—even higher than me.
“I’m proud of the young woman she’s become: silly, smart, fun and beautiful.”
