Nicole Smith Daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, Could Receive $49 Million From Marshall Estate (VIDEO)
Anna Nicole's daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, may be entitled to up to $49 million of the late billionaire J. Howard Marshall's fortune.
The six-year-old's late mother, Anna Nicole Smith, passed away from a prescription drug overdose in 2007 while in the midst of a legal battle for her ex-husband Marshall's estate.
A California judge ruled Wednesday that Dannielyn is "entitled to sanctions against Marshall's family," despite a Supreme Court's ruling against Smith's estate that overturned a $475 million award.
According to Forbes, the judge made the decision based on allegations that Marshall's estate attorneys used "delaying tactics like shipping crucial legal documents to a lawyer in Lake Charles, La. to try and keep them out of the hands of Smith's lawyers."
Phil Boesch, the lawyer of Smith's estate, told Forbes: "This is a complete vindication of Anna Nicole's rights, and a total condemnation of what was done to her. We are confident that the amount Anna's estate and daughter Dannielynn will finally be awarded will be fair and substantial."
Smith's daughter had been declared the sole heir to her estate back in 2008.
The former Playboy model married oil tycoon Marshall in 1994, when she was 26-years-old. Marshall had been 62 years her senior and died the following year aged 90.
After his death, Smith claimed that Marshall had promised to leave her with $200 million, but his will had not mentioned anything.
Dannielyn was born after Smith's relationship with Larry Birkhead.
Smith's death came five months after the death of her 20-year-old son Daniel in 2006. He too died from a drug overdose.
A TV movie about Anna Nicole Smith will be released on Lifetime on June 29. The film, titled "American Psycho" will star actress Agnes Bruckner.
Here is a video of Danielynn Birkhead celebrating her 6th birthday recently: