Paris Hilton Defies "Heiress" Tag, Touts $1 Billion Media Empire

As of November 15, 2025, Paris Hilton, the 44-year-old socialite and entrepreneur, is adamant that she has made her fortune entirely on her own, despite her billionaire family lineage. Hilton's media company, 11:11 Media, is currently valued at $1 billion and employs 25 people.

"I'm self-made. Like, I've done this all on my own," Hilton told The Times of London in a recent interview. She was quick to dismiss the notion that her wealth and success were handed to her, stating, "No one's ever given me anything in my entire life."

Hilton is the granddaughter of the late Barron Hilton, the billionaire hotel heir who passed away in 2019 and reportedly left 97% of his wealth to the Hilton family's foundation, rather than to his children or grandchildren. However, Hilton's parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton, still have a combined net worth in the hundreds of millions, and Rick inherited a significant amount from his grandfather, Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton hotel brand.

Despite her privileged upbringing, Hilton claims her grandfather Barron recognized her strong work ethic, often telling her, "Paris, you work harder than any CEO I know." Hilton fondly remembers her grandfather joking that he was now known as "Paris Hilton's grandpa" rather than the other way around.

Hilton's expansive business portfolio includes clothing and scent lines, handbags, and even a music career, with the release of her debut album "Paris" in 2006 and a follow-up album "Infinite Icon" scheduled for 2024. She is also a prominent figure on social media, with a combined 40 million followers across Instagram and TikTok.