Anna Nicole Smith's mother Virgie Arthur has sued her daughter's former companion, Howard K. Stern and several Web sites for defamation, according to US media report yesterday.

The late model's mum, also would-be custodian of granddaughter Dannielynn, filed a lawsuit in Texas state court on Monday and said that Stern, Internet gossip site TMZ.com and other three other celebrity bloggers spread a salacious false story in an attempt to damage her reputation.

Arthur is angry about a story TMZ.com published online last April that she was the mother of her stepbrother's child, and said it damaged her chances of landing custody of granddaughter Dannielynn.

"Their goal was simple and straightforward—to 'destroy' anyone that was opposed to Howard K. Stern or his interest," stated the lawsuit.

Anna Nicole Smith died at age 39 of an accidental prescription drug overdose in Florida in February 2007.

The death of the former reality television star sparked a legal battle between Arthur and Smith's companions, including Stern and photographer Larry Birkhead, both over her remains and custody of her infant daughter.

Arthur, who lives in Texas, lost those court fights.

Birkhead, following tests that showed he was her father, was awarded custody of Dannielynn.