Paris Hilton

Family & Childhood

Paris Whitney Hilton entered the world on February 17, 1981. While it is cliche, the child truly was born with a silver spoon. The daughter of Kathy Richards and Richard Hilton, Paris inherits wealth and fame on both sides. Paris' mother's side of the family offers years of success on both the big and the small screens. Paris' paternal great-grandfather was the founder of the Hilton Hotel chain. Barron Hilton, Paris' grandfather, is the current Hilton chairman, with a net worth of over $1 billion. Paris and her siblings are in line to inherit over $350 million each.

Paris and her younger siblings, Nicky, Barron II, and Conrad II, lived a life of indulgence and privilege, moving from one multi-million dollar home to another.

The family kept homes on both coasts, and Paris attended high school in New York. Paris dropped out of the Dwight School, but she eventually earned her GED. The heiress never attended college.

Career

Paris Hilton at The Angry Inch VIP Viewing at the Roxy Theatre

Although Paris was born rich, she has made money on her own as well. Always a popular fixture on the society pages, the young heiress had cameos in several movies, including 2001's Zoolander.

Modelling and Acting

Paris also worked extensively as a model, lending her face and voice to companies like Guess, T-Mobile, Carl's Jr., and Iceberg. Despite her modest success as a model, it was The Simple Life which really catapulted Hilton to stardom.

Inspired by Green Acres, the series took Hilton and then-best friend Nicole Richie and put them on the Leding family farm in Arkansas. The series brilliantly emphasized the girls' privileged lives by forcing them to interract with "regular" people and- gasp!- get jobs. In the course of the season, the pampered socialites worked on a dairy farm, delivered burgers at Sonic, and worked at the Lakeside Food Mart. Paris also slummed it a bit, hanging out with high school boys at the mall, bowling alley, and fast food joints. Wherever they went, the girls managed to make huge messes, offend people, and get fired. Of course, the public ate it up and the show's contract was extended. The friendship between Nicole and Paris had evaporated by 2006, but the show lives on.

Although her acting has met mixed reviews, Paris Hilton has had roles in several television shows and movies, including:

• The OC
• American Dreams
• Veronica Mars
• Raising Helen
• Nine Lives
• House of Wax
• The Hillz
• National Lampoon's Pledge This!

Books and Music

In 2004, Paris Hilton capitalized on her soaring popularity by writing a book, Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose. The book, which is a mix of photos and advice for aspiring heiresses, became a New York Times bestseller.

That same year, Paris began working on an album. The self-titled album is slotted for a summer 2006 release. Although there have been many rumors of musical collaborations with other, more famous artists, very little has been confirmed about Paris' music.

Other Ventures

Paris Hilton Launches Her New Fragrance at Macy's Herald Square

Paris was busy in 2004. In addition to music and books, she was also working on perfume that year. Her first perfume release was Paris Hilton, and it was a success. Her subsequent scents, Paris Hilton for Men and Just Me by Paris Hilton, were also well-received.

Given her well-documented love of the club scene, it is only fitting that Hilton launched her own nightclub chain. The clubs are appropriately named Club Paris and are currently open for business in Florida. Rumor has it that the clubs will soon expand across the nation and eventually, overseas.

Paris Hilton Trivia

• Paris had her catchphrase, "That's hot!" trademarked.
• The Simple Life was originally offered to Paris and her sister Nicky.
• At the 2006 launch of her new video game, Paris Hilton's Jewel Jam, Paris inexplicably referred to the game as Diamond Quest.
• Hilton was named "Sex Star of the Year" by Playboy in 2005, after an illicit home video was released.
• The ultra-thin Hilton wears a size 11 shoe.