Paternity Test - Photographer Wins Case
Los Angeles photographer wins paternity battle over Anna Nicole Smith’s 'billion-dollar baby' when paternity test proves him to be the father.
Paternity test victory
Howard Stern, Smith's boyfriend, was listed as the father on the birth certificate but following his paternity test court victory Mr Birkhead told a crowd outside the courthouse, “I hate to be the one to tell you this but I told you so, I’m the father.”
Paternity test - stern threats
Mr Stern, who previously threatened to sue for defamation after recent press publicity, said that was “very disappointed” that the paternity test proved he was not the father of baby Dannielynn.
But, in front of the press, Mr Stern hugged Mr Birkhead and said that he would not obstruct the photographer's right to custody of the child following the paternity test. “We are going to do what we can to make sure the best interests of Dannielynn are carried out,” he said after the paternity test.
Drug tragedy leads to paternity test case
Following a brief career as a stripper, Smith became the 1993 Playboy Playmate of the Year and the star of a reality TV show. She gave birth to Dannielynn three days before the death of her 20-year-old son, Daniel, from a drug overdose. The paternity test and legal battle over the baby began before Smith herself then died from an overdose at the age of 39.
Paternity test - Inheritance
Dannielynn has been dubbed the 'billion-dollar baby' because, following the paternity test, she stands to inherit a fortune from the estate of Smith’s late husband, J. Howard Marshall II, the wealthy Texas oilman who died in 1995.
Paternity test court case
Smith and Birkhead met at the Kentucky Derby where he had been assigned to photograph her, and a two-and-a-half-year affair ensued. This ended soon after Smith announced that she was pregnant with his child, though Mr Birkhead played an active role early in the pregnancy.
Smith broke off their relationship and moved to the Bahamas in what he alleged to be a deliberate attempt to keep his baby away from him.
When asked what he thought Smith’s reaction would have been to his successful paternity test court case, he said: “I think she would be proud I fought it.” |
