Last Updated on March 6, 2024
Who Is Kathy Hilton?
Kathleen Elizabeth Hilton, better known as Kathy Hilton and formerly known as Kathleen Elizabeth Avanzino-Richards, is an American fashion designer, actress, socialite, television personality, and philanthropist.
Hilton is best known for being the mother of popular socialite Paris Hilton and renowned fashion designer Nicky Hilton. She’s also the half-sister of Kim Richards and Kyle Richards who rose to mainstream fame for their starring roles on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Kathleen Elizabeth Hilton |
Popular Name: | Kathy Hilton |
Gender: | Female |
Birth Date: | March 13, 1959 |
Age: | 63 years |
Parents: | Larry Avanzino and Kathleen Mary Dugan |
Siblings: | Kim Richards and Kyle Richards (half-sisters from her maternal side), three half-siblings from Kenneth E. Richards’ side, and five half-siblings from Larry Avanzino’s remarriage |
Birth Place: | New York City, New York, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | Mixed (Italian and Irish) |
Education: | Montclair College Prep School |
Marital Status: | Married |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Richard Hilton |
Children: | Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Conrad Hughes Hilton, and Barron Hilton II |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 350 million |
Source of Wealth: | Fashion Design, Acting, Television Appearances, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 5′ 7″ (1.7 m) |
Weight: | 59 kg; In pounds: 130 lbs. |
Early Life
Kathy Hilton was born on March 13, 1959, in New York City, New York, United States, to Larry Avanzino and Kathleen Mary Dugan. Hilton’s parents divorced and her mother later married Kenneth E. Richards.
Hilton attended Montclair College Preparatory School, during which she befriended the late pop star Michael Jackson. The two remained friends till Jackson’s death in 2009.
Career Information
Kathy Hilton took an interest in the entertainment industry at a fairly young age. She officially launched her acting career in 1968 when she was only nine years old.
Hilton landed her debut television role in 1970, appearing as Melodie in an episode of the series Nanny and the Professor. The following year, she appeared in an episode of three television series, namely ‘Family Affair,’ ‘Marcus Welby, M.D,’ and ‘Bewitched.’
In 1972, Kathy Hilton landed an uncredited role in the television film Welcome Home, Jonny Bristol. Hilton appeared in a couple of other television shows throughout the 70s, including Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1974), Happy Days (1977), and The Rockford Files (1978). She also made several film appearances during the same period, including in No Deposit, No Return (1976), The Car (1977), The Dark (1979), and On the Air Live with Captain Midnight (1979).
Hilton unofficially retired from acting in 1979 before making a comeback in the 1992 movie Wishman. Hilton’s next major film appearance would come several years later, in the 2020 film BSA Live.
Kathy Hilton set her eyes on reality television and fashion design after taking an indefinite break from acting. In 2002, Hilton joined the home-shopping network QVC as a host. She also appeared on six episodes of The Simple Life from 2003 to 2007.
In 2005, Hilton became the host of NBC’s reality television program I Want to Be a Hilton. She also starred on the reality show The World According to Paris in 2011.
In 2011, Hilton began appearing on the reality television show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She has appeared in a total of 34 episodes to date, including as a guest and friend of the housewives. She also appeared as a guest on Cooking with Paris in 2021.
Since 2012, Hilton has worked as the chief designer of the Kathy Hilton Collection of party dresses. Her collection is available in over 400 reputable stores worldwide, including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Kathy Hilton’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Kathy Hilton had a net worth of $350 million. That’s the combined net worth with that of her husband Richard “Rick” Hilton. Rick is a business mogul best known for co-founding the real estate brokerage firm – Hilton & Hyland.
The Hiltons’ have earned their wealth from a number of sources, ranging from Rick’s jointly-owned Hilton & Hyland firm to Kathy’s fashion design business as well as her film and television gigs. The couple has also invested heavily in the real estate.
In 1999, Rick and Kathy purchased a 7-bedroom property in the Hamptons for $3.385 million. They have continually rented the property during summer, charging between $300,000 and $400,000 for a single season.
In 2004, the Hiltons paid $9.2 million for another lavish mansion in their neighborhood of Bel Air, Los Angeles. Ten years later, they acquired an apartment located in New York City’s Pierre Hotel for $2.5 million.
Lessons from Kathy Hilton
1. Give back
Kathy Hilton is widely celebrated for her philanthropic endeavors. Hilton has supported numerous charity organizations over the years, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
2. Everything happens for a reason
Nothing in life happens by accident, and Kathy couldn’t agree more. She once said, “I always believe there’s a reason for everything.”
3. Support your partner in wealth creation
Kathy Hilton is not only a devoted wife to Richard Hilton. She has also contributed immensely to the family’s wealth. The couple have jointly pursued numerous business ventures over the years.
Famous Quotes by Kathy Hilton
• I love to be busy! I love to have a million things to do.
• Life is a poker game, and everybody has to show their cards.
• My husband always makes me go through what I’m not wearing and donate it, so the driveway is full of boxes.
• The term ‘socialite’ makes me feel pretty uncomfortable. To me, those are the women who get dressed up and go from party to party. That’s all they do.
• You only get one family, so why not make it work? I don’t understand friends who say they haven’t talked to their mother in 10 years. To me that’s the most important thing.
Wrap Up
Kathy Hilton is an actress, socialite, television personality, and fashion designer…all rolled into one. Thanks to her multiple income-generating endeavors, Hilton has amassed a net worth of $350 million. That’s the combined net worth with her entrepreneur husband Richard Hilton.