Paris Hilton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paris Hilton
Hilton in 2021
Born	Paris Whitney Hilton (1981-02-17) February 17, 1981 (age 44) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Media personality businesswoman socialite model singer actress DJ
Years active	1996–present
Works	List
Spouse(s)	Carter Reum ​ (m. 2021)​
Children	2
Parent(s)	Richard Hilton Kathy Hilton
Family	Hilton
Musical career
Genres	Pop dance
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Warner Bros. Cash Money

Paris Whitney Hilton (born February 17, 1981) is an American media personality, businesswoman, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels. Hilton first became known in the late 1990s for being part of New York City's social scene. In 2000, she began a career in fashion modeling.

Hilton became famous around the world after starring in the reality TV series The Simple Life (2003–2007) with her friend Nicole Richie. Around the same time, a private video of her was released without her permission, which brought her even more attention.

She has been involved in many media projects, including TV shows like Paris Hilton's My New BFF and Paris in Love. She has also acted in movies like House of Wax (2005). As a singer, she has released albums such as Paris (2006) and Infinite Icon (2024). Since 2012, she has also worked as a successful disc jockey (DJ).

Hilton has used her fame to build a large business empire. She has launched many products, including a popular perfume line that has earned over US$2.5 billion. She is also known for her activism, especially for the rights of teenagers in special care facilities.

Early Life

The Waldorf Astoria New York, where Hilton lived during her teenage years

Paris Hilton was born on February 17, 1981, in New York City. Her parents are Richard and Kathy Hilton. She is the oldest of four children. Her great-grandfather, Conrad Hilton, started the famous Hilton Hotels.

During her childhood, Hilton moved between Beverly Hills, the Hamptons, and a suite at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. As a child, she was described as a "tomboy" who dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. She loved animals and saved money to buy monkeys and snakes.

Growing up, her parents were very strict. Her mother enrolled her in etiquette classes to prepare her to be a debutante, which is a young woman formally introduced to society.

As a teenager, Hilton's parents sent her to a series of boarding schools for teens with emotional challenges. One of these was Provo Canyon School. Hilton later said that she and other students were mistreated by the staff there. She spoke about these difficult experiences in her 2020 documentary, This Is Paris. She attended Provo for 11 months and left when she turned 18. She later earned her GED certificate.

Career

Modeling and Early Fame

Hilton began modeling as a child at charity events. After moving to New York City in 1996, she became known as a socialite by attending parties and big events. This lifestyle was different from her family's conservative background.

At age 19, she signed with Donald Trump's modeling agency, T Management. She modeled for famous designers and appeared in magazines like Vogue. By 2001, she was a well-known face at New York Fashion Week. She also had small roles in movies, including a cameo in the comedy Zoolander (2001).

Breakthrough with 'The Simple Life'

Hilton at a 2005 conference in Munich

Hilton's big break came in 2003 with the reality TV show The Simple Life. She starred with her friend Nicole Richie. The show followed them as they lived with a family in a small, rural town. It was a huge success and made Hilton famous for her on-screen "dumb blonde" persona, which she later revealed was just a character.

Following the show's success, Hilton's career took off. She appeared in movies and TV shows, launched a successful perfume line, and wrote a best-selling book, Confessions of an Heiress. Her first perfume was so popular that it led to a whole line of fragrances.

In 2005, she had her first major movie role in the horror film House of Wax. The movie was a box office success, earning over US$70 million worldwide.

The Simple Life ran for five seasons, moving to the E! network after its first three seasons on Fox.

Music and Business Ventures

In 2006, Hilton released her first music album, Paris. It reached number six on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's main single, "Stars Are Blind", became a hit around the world.

She continued to build her business empire. She launched lines of hair extensions, footwear, and clothing. In 2008, she starred in a new reality show, Paris Hilton's My New BFF, where she searched for a new best friend. The show was so popular that it led to versions in the United Kingdom and Dubai.

By 2011, Hilton had opened several boutiques worldwide selling her products, including purses, shoes, and fragrances.

DJ Career and Recent Work

Hilton in 2009

In 2012, Hilton began a new career as a DJ. She performed at a major music festival in Brazil. She later held a residency at the Amnesia nightclub in Ibiza, a famous party island in Spain. By 2014, she was one of the highest-paid female DJs in the world.

In 2020, she released a documentary on YouTube called This Is Paris. In the film, she opened up about her difficult experiences as a teenager and showed a different side of herself. The documentary was a success and helped change how the public saw her.

In 2021, she started her own media company, 11:11 Media. She also launched new TV shows, including Cooking with Paris on Netflix and Paris in Love on Peacock, which followed her journey to getting married.

Hilton continues to be a major force in business and entertainment. She has launched digital projects like NFT collections and virtual worlds on Roblox. In 2024, she released her second studio album, Infinite Icon.

Activism

Hilton speaking outside the United States Capitol in October 2021

Hilton has used her platform to support many causes. She has worked with the Starlight Children's Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She has also donated to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

After releasing her documentary This is Paris, Hilton became a leading activist for the "troubled teen" industry. She shared her own story of being mistreated at Provo Canyon School to bring attention to the issue. She joined a movement called #BreakingCodeSilence.

In 2021, she testified before lawmakers in Utah to support a new bill. The bill increases government oversight of youth treatment centers. She also went to Washington, D.C., to advocate for a federal law to protect children in these facilities. Her work has helped pass new laws to protect young people.

Impact

Hilton signing autographs in 2008

Paris Hilton is seen as a major figure in 21st-century pop culture. She is often credited with inventing the modern idea of the "influencer." She showed how to build a personal brand and become famous for being yourself. Many reality TV stars and social media personalities, including Kim Kardashian, have said that Hilton paved the way for them.

Her style in the 2000s, which included tracksuits and small "accessory dogs," became a major fashion trend. She helped make brands like Juicy Couture and Von Dutch popular.

Many journalists and scholars have studied her influence. Some see her as a smart businesswoman who understood how to use media to her advantage. Her quote, "Dress cute wherever you go; life is too short to blend in," was even added to The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.

Personal Life

Hilton with her mother Kathy Hilton and aunt Kyle Richards at an NBC event in February 2011

Hilton is famous for her love of small dogs. Her most famous pet was a Chihuahua named Tinkerbell, who often appeared with her in public and on The Simple Life. She even had a special two-story doghouse built for her pets.

In December 2019, Hilton began a relationship with businessman Carter Reum. They got engaged in February 2021 and were married in Los Angeles on November 11, 2021. They have two children, a son named Phoenix and a daughter named London, who were both born via a surrogate.

Discography

• Paris (2006)
• Infinite Icon (2024)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Paris Hilton para niños