How Much Is Paris Hilton Actually Worth?
As the great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton (founder of Hilton hotels), Paris Hilton was born into great wealth, but she was also born to amass great wealth all on her own; according to Celebrity Net Worth, Hilton is worth a whopping $300 million. While stigma and ill-informed rumors may claim her net worth stems from her life as an heiress to the Hilton fortune, this paints a very narrow (and false) picture of the real origins of her wealth. Much like the lavish city she's named after, Paris Hilton has earned her sparkle, her light, and her success.
According to People (via StyleCaster), the money Hilton inherited from her grandfather was only about $5 million after he left 97% of his $2.3 billion to various charities. And, in 2011, Hilton told CNN host Piers Morgan that she "[doesn't] take anything from [her] family" and has done "everything [her]self." Although the Hilton name may have given her some of her initial recognition in the world, her success as an entrepreneur, TV personality, model, socialite, businesswoman, and DJ seem to be the true source of her substantial income. Check out some of the ways Hilton has made her fortune over the years.
Her perfume empire has made $2.65 billion
It's difficult to remember the early 2000s without being taken back to the fruity and floral notes of Paris Hilton's first perfume, Paris Hilton for Women, filling the air of various malls, schools, and workplaces across the country. One whiff and you're automatically taken back to shades of baby blue, low-rise bootcut jeans, super straight hair, and everyone proudly proclaiming that they were certainly no "Hollaback Girl."
Since then, Hilton's fragrance line has taken off to include 25 "bestselling" perfumes, according to Elle Canada, which have made $2.65 billion over the years. With flirty yet classy names such as "Tease," "Dazzle," and "Heiress," and varying scents that anyone can enjoy, her fragrances seem to continue to appeal to nearly everyone even over a decade after her first perfume's launch. Hilton's latest perfume "Electrify" is a tribute to the part of her life spent DJing internationally. With notes of apple, vanilla, peonies, sandalwood, and magnolia, "Electrify" was designed to inspire you to "[live] in the moment."
She made $1 million from one DJ set
While it is likely that a large portion of Paris Hilton's cumulative wealth comes from her monumental success in the fragrance industry, this is far from the only area where she has had success. In 2014, Hilton confirmed in an interview with Page Six that she makes as much as $1 million for a single DJ gig. Although she did not confirm how frequently this occurs, commenting that her mother raised her to believe that it's "not polite to discuss money," it's safe to say that this aspect of her career is certainly expanding her already substantial bank account.
Given Hilton's reputation for being the life of the party and her self-proclaimed "passion" for music, her success as a DJ isn't too surprising. Nevertheless, there are still those who do not take her persistence, passion, and skill on the turntables seriously. Luckily, this seems to inspire Hilton rather than bother her, as she told Billboard in 2017 that she "[loves] blowing people away, just changing people's minds and showing them that [she's] more talent than name."
She earns over $10 million a year from product lines
After the booming success of Paris Hilton's fragrance line, it's not too surprising that she has also gained success in other areas of retail. Hilton commented to CNN host Piers Morgan in 2011 that she "[does] everything" with her brand, making money from 17 product lines, including bags, clothing, pet products, bedding, shoes, fragrances (duh), and even stationary. It was also in this interview that Hilton confirmed that she makes over $10 million per year from her various product lines. However, she didn't confirm how much over $10 million she makes annually, which was in line with her family's standard of not "discussing money."
The Paris Hilton brand's popularity is highlighted by the fact that, in 2017, Hilton told the Los Angeles Times that there were "50 Paris Hilton stores" and that there were plans for opening "200 more" to sell her then 19 different product lines, leaving no doubt that Hilton has grown into a successful businesswoman.
She earns as much as $300,000 in 'appearance fees'
Let's be honest — people think of Paris when they hear the name "Hilton," despite the popular hotel chain. She has even joked about being the most famous Hilton on the Australian radio network KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O in 2017 (via Daily Mail), commenting that her grandpa said that he had become known as "Paris Hilton's grandfather."
Her popularity has undoubtedly helped her grow her impressive fortune, which rose from $100 million to $300 million in the span of a mere four years. This seems proven by her ability to get paid as much as $300,000 by simply showing up somewhere. Hilton knows what she's worth and won't even show up at a party or event for less than $300,000. And really, can you blame her? Although Hilton is noted for staying at events for less than a couple of hours, she still gets what she charges.
She made a rumored $5 million for one TV season
Paris Hilton gets paid for more than just attending high-profile events. In 2005, People magazine reported that Hilton made an estimated $5 million for a single season of "The Simple Life" — the role that some attribute to the start of her fame. It's not clear exactly how much Hilton has made from her on-screen roles over the years, having appeared on several TV shows and movies, but it seems safe to say this business-savvy woman is always sure to get what she's worth.
In 2021, Hilton had her own Netflix show, "Cooking With Paris." She's also starring in a docuseries on Peacock called "Paris in Love" that will feature her engagement to Carter Reum, as well as her juggling work while planning a wedding (per Variety).
Despite her success, Hilton's impressive fortune may not be her No. 1 priority. While she did once have the goal to become a billionaire, she is now more interested in starting a family rather than growing her wealth, according to USA Today. However, there is no doubt that whatever she does, she will be "sliving."