Paris Whitney Hilton (born February 17, 1981)
In 2003, a sex tape with Hilton and then-boyfriend Rick Salomon was made public. Later that year she starred with Nicole Richie in the reality television series
The Simple Life, which gave both women international recognition. Hilton later released her autobiography
Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose (2004), played a supporting role in the horror film
House of Wax (2005) and released her debut album,
Paris (2006). She returned to reality television in
Paris Hilton's My New BFF (2008) and its two spin-offs:
Paris Hilton's British Best Friend (2009) and
Paris Hilton's Dubai BFF (2009). Hilton was a voice actress in the TV movie
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation (2010) and appeared in the reality show
The World According to Paris (2011). She had a part in Sofia Coppola's independent film,
The Bling Ring (2013).
Critics and admirers have said that Hilton is famous for being famous, exemplifying the
celebutante: a celebrity not through talent or work, but through inherited wealth and lifestyle. She has parlayed her media fame into perfumes and a fashion line with her endorsement; her fragrances have reportedly earned $1.5 billion. There are 44 Paris Hilton stores worldwide, with products including perfumes, handbags, watches and footwear. Hilton earns over $10 million a year from product sales and, as of 2005, was paid about $300,000 for appearances in clubs and events.