Kentucky
Anna Nicole Smith's daughter and her dad make their annual Kentucky Derby trip: See their outfits through the years
For the late Anna Nicole Smith’s 18-year-old daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, the Kentucky Derby is a family tradition.
Dannielynn gets all dressed up to attend the fashion-forward horse race with her father, Larry Birkhead. The tradition started in 2010 when she was just 3 years old, and posts of the day have become fan favorites.
This year, Dannielynn and her dad kicked off Derby weekend in style. In an Instagram post on Friday, May 2, Larry Birkhead shared a series of photos of him and his daughter together at 2025 Barnstable Brown Gala.
In caption of his post, Larry revealed that his daughter was wearing the same evening gown that her mother, Anna Nicole Smith, wore 21 years ago when she attended the same gala.
“Life full circle,” he captioned the post. “She said she chose the dress because it was her Mom’s and ‘super cool.’”
In a 2022 interview with the Courier Journal, Larry Birkhead explained why it means so much for him and his daughter to go to the Kentucky Derby together.
“It’s our ‘one day a year’ outing that we do publicly,” he said. “And I think you guys probably can take pictures and watch her grow from just this event … there’s a lot of people that are interested in things because of her mother, and I don’t let her fall into that. I just say, ‘Hey, let’s do one thing a year (and) let people see how you are.’”
Dannielynn was only five months old when Smith died in February 2007 after accidentally overdosing on prescription drugs. Five different men claimed to be Dannielynn’s father, but after a DNA test, Larry was legally designated as her father.
Dannielynn spent a relatively private childhood with Larry in their Kentucky home. But the father-daughter duo step into the spotlight on this one special day.
Let’s look back on Dannielynn and her dad at the Kentucky Derby through the years.
2010
Larry Birkead brought his daughter to the Kentucky Derby when she was 3 years old.
Dressed all in pink, Dannielynn looked thrilled by the cameras … and reassured by having her father nearby.
2011
Dannielynn sipped her kid’s drink like a lady when she attended the festivities in 2011, wearing a fun animal-print dress.
2012
Dressed in sunshine yellow at the 138th Kentucky Derby, Dannielynn sweetly gave her dad a giant smooch. Of course, her cute cow puppet is along for the ride.
2013
Is there anything sweeter than Larry and Dannielynn dressed up as Bert and Mary Poppins for the Kentucky Derby? After all, both feature a horse race!
2014
The family tradition continued to bloom when Dannielynn was 7. The floral bodice, tulle skirt and butterfly shoes signal her creativity. Larry sweetly echoes his daughter’s color choices in his striped tie.
2015
From bright colors to pastels, Dannielynn sports a slightly more grown-up look in 2015. Doing a complete 180 from last year, she wore a very demure pale pink dress and carried a sequin purse with flowers on it.
2016
An updo seems perfectly fitting for this elegant young lady who is wearing a light grey dress with pink flowers. With a grey suit, pink shirt and jaunty tie, Larry matches her exactly.
2017
Stunning as ever at the age of 10, Dannielynn looks like a perfect English rose in a pink dress with matching fascinator.
2018
Dannielynn and Larry change up their color palette by switching to blues in 2018. Just as she did last year, Dannielynn wore a fit-and-flare dress with a 1950s silhouette. Larry looks like the perfect parental escort in plaid.
2019
The pair switched back to bubble gum pink in 2019. Dannielynn looked right at home on the red carpet.
2020
The Triple Crown event was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19. It was ultimately held in September without any spectators, so Dannielynn and Larry had to sit this one out.
2021
In their return to the race in 2021, Dannielynn wore a rhinestone face mask that perfectly coordinated with her JOVANI suit.
“She cleaned out the chocolate brownies, ice cream and nachos while at the same time critiquing my outfit,” Larry wrote on Instagram of his then 14-year-old daughter.
2022
Dannielynn was all color and joy in 2022, while Larry’s neutrals really let her grab the spotlight.
Along with two photos posing with his daughter, Larry posted an old snap of Smith giving her best pout for the camera on Instagram.
“Saw this pic of Anna and thought Dannielynn looked like her twin!” he added in the caption.
2023
The 2023 Kentucky Derby marked a special year for Larry, as it was his 20th anniversary of meeting Smith.
At the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala, Dannielynn paid tribute to her mom by wearing a long-sleeved black and white top printed with a pattern of photos of Smith from her famous Guess campaign. Larry’s tie included the same print of Smith from his daughter’s shirt.
At the Derby itself, Dannielynn’s fashion sense was in full bloom with her flower-themed gown. Dad Larry Birkhead, as always, matched his look to hers.
2024
Last year, Larry detailed his Kentucky Derby weekend on social media. Dannielynn wore a bright red dress with puffy sleeves and a matching feathered headpiece. Larry shared that the ensemble was “inspired by her favorite character Hino Eiji, Kamen Rider OOO TaJaDor combo.”
He added, “Hey whatever works, just trying to spend a little quality time as this weekend of traditions come to a close…”
2025
This year, Dannielynn decided to pay tribute to her mother when she attended the annual Barnstable Brown Gala on the eve of the Kentucky Derby with her dad.
For the gala, she wore the same dress that her mother wore 21 years ago when she attended the same event.
“Life full circle,” Larry Birkhead captioned the post. “She said she chose the dress because it was her Mom’s and ‘super cool.’”
Kentucky
Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard
A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.
Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.
Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.
After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.
Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.
Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”
It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.
An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.
In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.
There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.
Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.
The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.
Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
Studs and Duds: Lions’ Stars Deliver Strong Effort
Philadelphia Eagles to play San Francisco 49ers in NFL playoffs. Here’s what you need to know.
Cowboys updated 2026 NFL Draft order: Current 1st-round pick after Week 18
Hundreds of Caribbean flights canceled, leaving travelers stranded at Miami International Airport
How Boston Dynamics upgraded the Atlas robot — and what’s next
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Dan Bongino officially leaves FBI deputy director role after less than a year, returns to ‘civilian life’
Hundreds march in silence to honour Crans-Montana fire victims
Here’s a partial list of U.S. elected officials opposing Trump’s invasion of Venezuela
Crans Montana organises solemn march for the victims • FRANCE 24 English
Trump says US will ‘run’ Venezuela • FRANCE 24 English
-
World7 days agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Business1 week agoGoogle is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
World1 week agoSnoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Huntr/x and Andrea Bocelli Deliver Christmas-Themed Halftime Show for Netflix’s NFL Lions-Vikings Telecast
-
Politics1 week agoMost shocking examples of Chinese espionage uncovered by the US this year: ‘Just the tip of the iceberg’
-
World1 week agoPodcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
-
News1 week agoRoads could remain slick, icy Saturday morning in Philadelphia area, tracking another storm on the way