When Dannielynn Birkhead was just five months old, her mother, Anna Nicole Smith, died unexpectedly at age 39. Her father, Larry Birkhead, later chose to raise Dannielynn largely away from Hollywood and the intense media attention surrounding her famous mother.

Instead of growing up in the celebrity spotlight, Dannielynn spent much of her childhood in Kentucky. Larry has said he wanted his daughter to have as normal an upbringing as possible, despite people constantly recognizing her connection to Anna Nicole.

Today, Dannielynn is 19 years old and beginning to create her own path. She’s attending college, studying forensic science, and has also expressed an interest in culinary studies.

She still makes an annual public appearance with her father during Kentucky Derby weekend, where fans are often amazed by how much she has grown — and how much she reminds them of her mother.

Nearly two decades after America first saw her as Anna Nicole Smith’s baby girl, Dannielynn is all grown up — and she’s choosing a life very different from the one many expected.