Life Of An Heiress 21 Rare Images Of Paris Hilton's Life Growing Up

Oh, Paris. A cultural icon of the early 2000s, Paris Hilton is so much more than her "that's hot" catchphrase that she coined. She pioneered the way for future influencers and reality TV stars and has grown into a total business mogul these days. According to Broadly, she's launched 19 perfumes, opened up 50 "Paris Hilton" shops in over 40 countries, and is a successful DJ, hosting residencies in the most luxurious vacation spots around the globe. Back in 1999, Paris and her sister, Nicky Hilton, were among the first to receive paychecks for showing up to parties and events - now the norm for social media stars. Not long after gaining notoriety in the party circuit, Paris became the star of The Simple Life. Along with her childhood bestie, Nicole Richie, The Simple Life was the first reality TV show to blow up on people's screens and impact North America in a way that was never seen before.

Long before Keeping Up With The Kardashians and The Real Housewives series invaded our televisions, Paris Hilton was winning our hearts as original fun, carefree, socialite. We all know Paris as the queen of having a good time, but what was she like before all that? Here are 21 images and facts about the heiress' childhood growing up.

21 She Knew How To Pose At A Young Age

I don't know about the rest of you, but I still cringe at my high school yearbook photos. Awkward hair, overdone makeup, and a cheesy smile. Paris? Not so much. She posted this photo to her own Twitter with the hashtag #TeenParis from her yearbook, and it's safe to say she mastered the art of the smize, one that she'd later incorporate in countless photo shoots and runways. "I was voted 'Finest Girl' in 8th grade" she proudly captioned the photo, and to be fair, we can see why.

But even more important than that glistening pout are her selfie skills.

Paris told W Magazine in an interview, "If a beeper had a camera, I would have taken a selfie with it. I think I have a selfie from when I was a little kid, like on a disposable camera." When asked later about influencers taking selfies she said, "Nowadays, I feel like it's so easy becoming famous. Anybody with a camera can do it." Paris Hilton was the first to make selfies a thing, long before Kim Kardashian released her book of selfies, Selfish. In fact, who knows if our phones would even have front cameras if it wasn't for Ms. Hilton herself!

20 She's Been Modeling Since She Was A Little Girl

As we just found out, Paris is an absolute pro at the art of posing for the camera. As per Celebrities Then and Now, she's been in the modeling world since she was little. Paris began her journey modeling as a child, initially at charity events. According to Celebrities Then and Now, in the photo above she was just six years old! At 19, she was signed with Mr. Trump's modeling agency, T Management and it didn't hurt that her family and Donald's family were very close while she grew up!

Paris then maneuvered her way through the modeling industry, working with Ford Models in New York, Models 1 Agency in London, Nous Model Management in Los Angeles, and Premier Model Management in London. Long before celebrity kids like the likes of Sofia Richie, Kendall Jenner, and Cindy Crawford's daughter, Kaia Jordan Gerber used their last name's to get modeling gigs, there was Paris, yet again a pioneer.

Not just on the runway, Paris has also had stints in numerous advertising campaigns. While we all think first of the infamous Carl's Jr. ad, where she's slinking around in a one-piece swimsuit eating a burger, she's also been featured in campaigns for Iceberg Vodka, GUESS, Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Dior, and Marciano.

19 She Gives Us Major Gossip Girl Vibes In Her Grade 10 Throwback Shot

Serena van der Woodsen, eat your heart out! According to ET Online, Paris posted the above photo to her Twitter account last summer, captioning it, "Trying to not look bored in the library for my school yearbook picture in 6th grade. Ha! #TBT #TeenParis."

Needless to say, she definitely did live a life similar to the teens on the Upper East Side, and not just from that outfit which looks like the quintessential prep school girl uniform. According to Celebrities Then and Now, she was born in New York.

There she attended the elite Professional Children's School with fellow to-be celebs, Christina Ricci and Macaulay Culkin.

Absolutely abolishing the idea of an Upper East Side debutante, Paris and her sister Nicky got the nickname the "Eloises of the Waldorf Hotel" during their time growing up in the hotel. As Nicky told W Magazine back in 2016, "We were always running around. That ballroom at the Waldorf always had events and crazy things. We were always sneaking around, spying on people." Paris, later on, drove her point home that she would never be a debutante, gaining regular media attention for her lavish lifestyle. As found on Biography, she was christened "New York's Leading IT girl" in 2001.

18 She Was On Her High School Hockey Team

If someone was to tell me Paris Hilton knows how to play hockey, I would have scoffed. Lucky for all of us, the photo above proves it! Who's center stage in the upper row but P. Hilton herself! WND published an article back in 2007 after they obtained a 1999 team photo of the heiress when she was a junior at Canterbury School, a private college-prep campus in Western Connecticut. Her teammate and Canterbury hockey captain Stacy Burns White said Paris was "quite the sight" on the ice. "I don't know I would say she skated well. She was not the sturdiest on her skates, as I'm sure it would be for anyone who hadn't skated before."

It's nice to know Paris wasn't an aggressive player on the team either, because as White went on to say, she never smashed into fellow players. "She was more concentrating on continuing to stand up - certainly not knocking people down unless it was by accident in case she fell."

Unfortunately, Paris' hockey career came to a grinding halt not too long after she joined. In true Paris fashion, she was asked to leave the New England boarding school for calling limousines too often to pick her up and leave campus whenever she pleased.

17 She's Always Been An Animal Lover

Long before her chihuahua, Tinkerbell, was just as famous as she was, Paris expressed her love for animals by dreaming of becoming a vet when she grew up. Her sister Nicky told Broadly in an interview that Paris would play with a variety of pet animals that she hoarded. She had reptiles, snakes, dogs, and ferrets. According to Celebrities Then and Now, animal rights activist Heather Mills even made Paris cry once by showing her films of animal cruelty. She managed to persuade Paris to hand over her furs, and never wear fur ever again.

Back in 2016, Paris even went as far as to launch an Instagram for her pets, appropriately titled @HiltonPets. These pets are also seen frolicking in her Instagram Stories, Snapchat, and Twitter feeds. Nylon has reported that her number of furry friends may even reach 30!

And just like their celebrity mother, her pets are also known to live the most lavish of lifestyles.

Paris posted a photo to her Twitter back in 2017 of her dog house. What's Paris' idea of a dog house, you may ask? An extravagant two-story mansion, perfect for her pampered pooches. She wrote about the photo, "My dogs live in this two-story doggy mansion that has air conditioning, heating, designer furniture, and a chandelier. Loves it."

16 Pretty In Pink, She's Known As Always Being A Princess

Paris is known for all things pink and for always being ultra feminine. In fact, as Celebrities Then and Now puts it, her two nicknames growing up were "Star" and "Princess". That "Princess" nickname still rings true, as W Magazine reports, she has a "Princess Paris" plaque right outside her front door. That being said, however, it seems that the "all pink" persona is one she puts on just for the cameras. As Nicky Hilton told Broadly, she remembers Paris tagging along with their dad to learn about his male-dominated business. She was always interested in her father's business and saw him and her grandfather as her main mentors. "She looked very different from the future Paris Hilton brand", Nicky said. "Paris was very much a tomboy, definitely not a sissy."

When they grew up a bit more, Paris ended up in California as a teen. It was there where she starting developing her outward, girly persona. Nicky said when she saw her, she described her as the "bubbly, bright, and blonde California girl". As Broadly put it, "Paris learned the characteristics of femininity and then exaggerated cliché womanly behavior." It was because of that, that she built an entire empire based off of femininity.

15 She's Lived In A Variety Of Exclusive Hotels Growing Up

Being a hotel heiress, it's only natural Paris lived in a variety of different hotels growing up. According to Celebrities Then and Now, she moved between several exclusive homes when she was little. They included a suite in the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, and the Hamptons.

The Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan was bought by Paris' great-grandfather in 1949, according to Business Insider. The hotel is a landmark in New York and has hosted every president since Herbert Hoover. Nicky Hilton even mentioned in W Magazine she remembers "going up in the elevator of the Waldorf with Bill Clinton and other presidents." Although forever a part of the Hilton legacy, Paris' dad, Rick, sold the hotel in 2014 for $1.94 billion. As per Business Insider, it was the largest sale of a hotel to date.

Paris followed in her granddad's footsteps and has begun blazing her own hotel empire, opening Paris Beach Club in the Philippines for Century Properties and their Azure Urban Resort Residence.

Her second one opened in Parañaq in 2016, according to Forbes. "The unparalleled style that made her a successful businesswoman and style icon, as well as her zest for living the good life, are qualities that we would like to incorporate into our vacation-inspired residential property," said John Victor Antonio, CEO at Century Properties in an interview with Forbes.

14 She Was A Backstreet Boys Fan Before She Even Started Dating Nick Carter

Paris Hilton and Nick Carter were in the news constantly while they dated from 2003 to 2004. Three years before they started dating, Paris was seen here, at a Backstreet Boys release party in 2000, at Times Square in New York. Nick told People back in 2004 that they met through Paris' bodyguard, who was a friend of his. "He called me up and was like, 'Hey, she wants to meet you.'" The rest is history, and the duo was definitely the hottest blonde couple in the early 2000s!

Unfortunately, the breakup turned bitter, and the duo doesn't stay in touch at all anymore.

According to People, Nick tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Lauren Kitt in April 2014, and they welcomed their first child, Odin Reign, in 2016.

Paris, on the other hand, has recently gotten engaged to actor Chris Zylka this January, and the two are looking adorable. “I am so excited to be engaged to the love of my life and my best friend,” Paris told People. “I have never felt so happy, safe and loved. He is perfect for me in every way and showed me that fairytales really do exist!” Congrats, Paris!

13 Paris And Michael Jackson Were Always Very Close

"My mom, Kathy, and Michael Jackson had been best friends since they were 13. I grew up around Michael, and anytime he'd have a music video or a concert, he would always invite my family. I literally went to every single video he did." Paris told NY Magazine in 2013. An unlikely duo, Kathy, and Michael developed a bond together throughout the years and always kept in touch, Kathy told CNN in 2011. "We had a really great time. He came and visited Paris when she was born, and then he ended up living at the Waldorf Astoria for six months when we were living there for eight years. Right before he died, he was at the Bel-Air Hotel in LA where we were living while we were renovating our home. We got to spend, you know, great times." Kathy also revealed that since Michael didn't have a nanny in Bel-Air, so she would take his kids sometimes to spend the day with.

Paris speaks warmly about Michael, too. As stated on Yahoo, she's said, “One of the first memories I have of him was when my mom took us to the music video set of Thriller,” she said. “And we have the pictures still. I just always loved him. I used to go to his concerts and he'd bring my sister and I on stage, and we'd sing up there.”

12 Long Before 'The Simple Life', Paris And Nicole Were Still Besties

The Simple Life solidified Paris and Nicole Richie as besties, but the duo knew each other way before the hit reality show. The socialites grew up together in Hollywood, and both had famous parents. As per In Touch Weekly, Nicole told Bravo in 2014, "Paris is somebody that's been in my life since day one. An idea of a true friend is somebody that's going to be there with you through and through."

The two became icons to every kid growing up in the early 2000s.

Paris told News.com.au about The Simple Life, "It was such an amazing time to be with my best friend, traveling around the world, doing all these crazy jobs. Nicole is literally the funniest person I've ever met in my whole life. She's always cracking me up." And the girls really did look like they were having the most entertaining time. From milking a cow together, trying their hands at being mechanics, to being air hostesses, Paris and Nicole won our hearts.

After disappearing from the spotlight as a duo, Paris, and Nicole ran into each other two months ago at The Daily Front Row's 4th Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards in Beverly Hills. Paris shortly after posting a photo to her Instagram of her and Nicole laughing and hugging with the caption, "Love you, Nicole Richie! No one could make me laugh like you do" with the hashtag #SimpleLifeReunion.

11 Her Sister Understands Her The Best

According to Celebrities Then and Now, although Paris and Nicole have always been best friends, it's her sister, Nicky, who knows her best. It makes the most sense, it was Nicky who was right there with Paris growing up, watching her transform into the business mogul she is today. As Nicky told Broadly once, "Paris didn't get this far being dumb". She continued to say that Paris always had a set of values and they have remained the same.

Sure, Paris was known for her party girl ways, but throughout her reputation, she actually volunteered for several charities, in particular ones that aim to help women and children. As Broadly mentioned, the critics at the time focused on the negatives, however even just in the past few years she DJed for underprivileged kids in Ibiza, donated to the India School Project, and paid to build a school. The Starlight Children's Foundation has honored Paris for her work, as has the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Instead of apologizing for her party antics, she did what she wanted, and continued her charitable acts, even though they weren't necessarily in the spotlight.

Nicky Hilton put it best for Broadly, "Paris is a rule breaker. She doesn't follow the rules." Sure enough, it's true. After putting up with all the negativity, Paris still came out strong with fans adoring her to this very day.

10 She's Always Spent Her Life Vacationing In Warm Spots

Of course, having as much money as Paris did growing up meant every vacation was spent somewhere warm. Back in 2010, the Hiltons visited Maui, which left Paris feeling very nostalgic! She tweeted the above photo of her and Nicky in Maui as children, having the best time laughing together. Paris exclaimed to the Chicago Tribune, "The first trip I took was to Maui. My family and I used to go there every single Christmas since I was a baby. We would stay at the Four Seasons and I would always walk over next door to the Grand Wailea Resort to go on all the water slides. I still love going to Maui. It is such a beautiful island."

Nowadays, Paris is known as a globetrotter, traveling for her business.

She told the Chicago Tribune, "I'm on a plane at least 200 days a year." She splits her time between homes in L.A. and New York, but still loves a good vacation. She loves going to the Maldives and staying on a villa on the beach. She goes on to tell the Chicago Tribune, "There is so much to do there. I love outdoor activities. I went scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming with turtles. The water is so clear, beautiful and blue."

9 She Jumped Around From School To School Because Of Her Bad Grades

Paris may have had a different agenda growing up, one that wasn't so concentrated on school necessarily. As per Celebrities Then and Now, "'Paris attended Marywood-Palm Valley School in Rancho Mirage, California her freshman year of high school; Dwight School in New York for her sophomore and junior years; then a few months at Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut before dropping out. She eventually earned a GED( General Educational Development ). She also briefly attended the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California." Other famous celebrities from the Buckley School included Kim Kardashian and Rashida Jones, plus Nicole Richie, who she acted in school plays with!

We learned earlier that during her time at Canterbury, she was asked to leave for ordering too many limos to go off campus. Paris' dorm parent told WMD, “Her wardrobe and her looks caused quite a scene. She didn't go undetected. Paris has a flair, she always did.”

Now that Paris is older, she's definitely more motivated. She told W Magazine of her growing empire, "I want to have something substantial and something that lasts. I'm very blessed that I grew up in a family with amazing mentors and businessmen I really look up to and can get advice from. It just runs in my blood.”

8 Her Trademark Blue Eyes Are Actually Contacts

Hard to believe, but Paris' eyes are actually brown! The heiress has created such an image about her, it's so hard to imagine her any other way. Known for her blonde hair, blue eyes, and baby voice she famously used in The Simple Life, Paris knew how to manipulate the media to her liking, and create a bubblegum persona that the world fell in love with.

To convince their parents to buy her pets, Nicky told Broadly that Paris "employed the baby voice. It would go very high and sweet when she wanted something". Paris goes on to say, "The baby voice developed when I was like really young, when I was a baby or a kid. If I wanted to get something from my dad, I'd be like, 'Dad, I really want this!'"

When the time came to get ready for The Simple Life, she created the "Paris talk" and the ditziness, which later led to her famous one-liners.

Paris explains to Broadly, "When I was developing the character for The Simple Life I just was like, 'This is your voice for the show, do it all the time. I think if you're actually like that in real life, it's, like, beyond. But if you're in on the joke, you know what you're doing, you're aware of it, and you're doing it purposefully, I think it's actually smart."

7 With Poses Like This, She Pioneered The Term, 'Influencer'

Long before the Kardashians and Instagram influencers of today, Paris was the first to get paid to simply be herself. Paris told W Magazine, “We started a whole new genre of celebrity that no one had ever seen before." The impressive thing about Paris is that she created her own brand without the help of social media, a publicist, or a stylist. She goes on to tell W, “Being in New York and being a socialite, everybody was always proper and kind of plain, and I always wore these fun outfits. People would send me things or I would go down to 8th Street to Patricia Field's and Hotel Venus. I was also hanging out with David LaChapelle a lot, so he would introduce me to all these funky designers."

Now with the Kardashians endorsing everything from gummies that make your hair longer to phone cases, it's hard to say if any of that would exist without the help of Paris!

As she concludes to W Magazine, "I'm more mature now. I hate when people call me a 'former reality star.' I want to be known for my business and inventing a new wave.” Well said!

6 She Started Meeting The Elite At A Young Age

Being born into a high-class standing and with lots of wealth, it was inevitable for Paris to meet the elite. Living at the Waldorf-Astoria, she would run into presidents and those close to them, like the above photo where she met Nancy Reagan at a young age.

With her other close ties growing up with the Kardashian, Richie, and Jackson families, it's hard to imagine Paris' childhood was anything but normal. Paris also acknowledged her relationship with Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka, in a 2017 interview with ET Canada. “She is like, the New York scene,” Paris said of Ivanka Trump. She goes on to explain that she hasn't seen Ivanka in years, but the connection will always be there.

She still has close ties to some of these elite families from her childhood. She's very close with the late Michael Jackson's 20-year-old daughter, Paris. She told ET, "I've known her since she was born. My mom and Michael grew up together since they were teenagers and were best friends." She continues to gush about the younger Paris, "She's so beautiful and so sweet and such an amazing soul. I love her so much. She's like a sister."

5 She's Always Had An Interest In Fashion

Long before she launched her own brands and graced countless photo shoots, Paris always had an interest in fashion. Nowadays she loves posting throwback pictures to her Twitter and Instagram, and this one, in particular, shows her in an adorable red and white dress with matching hat and bag. She captioned the photo, "Little lady in red."

The wonderful thing about Paris is that she truly has never cared about playing the role of a demure heiress.

Looking back at her time as pop culture icon, she was so quintessentially early 200s, that now many millennials are harking back to her original statement pieces. The belt sized mini skirts, low rise jeans, juicy tracksuits, and outrageous party dresses, it looks like much of what Paris has already done is coming back. Back in 2016, Kendall Jenner recreated Paris' infamous silver chainmail halter dress for her birthday, one that Paris originally wore to her 21st birthday. Paris told W Magazine she was there that night and actually thought, "that looks just like what I wore." Her thoughts were confirmed when Kendall came up to her later on and told her Paris was her inspiration! “Young people now see what people wore before and want to bring it back," Paris mused.

4 She's Always Been Close With Her Parents

Despite her party ways growing up, Paris was always close to her parents. According to Broadly, she snuck around to learn more about her father's gigantic hotel empire. Nicky even told Broadly that she remembers Paris used to tag along with their dad to work at his realty brokerage firm, Hilton & Hyland.

It's a great family to follow their business footsteps in. According to Hello Magazine, During an interview with BANG! Showbiz, Paris said, "I feel like I've done pretty much everything I've wanted to do. I've done music, designing, TV, everything. The only thing I didn't get involved in until a couple years ago is real estate, and now I'm following in my family's footsteps, opening my own properties - I love that."

Broadly later explains, her family taught her to rely on herself, unlike other heiresses who relied on their family fortune.

Because of that, Paris has always focused on her work, be it starring in Reality TV shows or growing her business empire. "I like being able to get whatever I want, when I want," Paris says. "I don't think I would feel as happy if I was just accepting things from my family. You don't feel like you've worked for it, and it just doesn't feel as good."

3 But She Takes After Her Mom The Most

Paris learned lots from her socialite mom, Kathy growing up. According to Celebrities Then and Now, she even attended numerous mother and daughter fashion shows in New York while she was really young. Kathy told Forbes in 2011 that she never spoiled her children and that growing up, "They learned responsibility, had chores, summer jobs, and like many other households we had rules. I think that helped contribute to how driven they all are and the strong work ethic they all have. "

Paris even asked her mom back in 2011 to be on her reality tv show, The World According To Paris. Kathy explained to Forbes, "Paris asked me to do the show, and it sounded like a great idea and something I would really enjoy doing with my daughter. The aim of the show is to break down the "media image" of Paris and her life, and give the viewers an opportunity to get to know the real Paris. There are a lot of preconceived beliefs that the public has about Paris. After watching the show, I think people will look at Paris with new, more understanding eyes." What a great way to support her daughter!

2 She Looked Stunning In Her First Headshot

Being born into wealth is one thing, but Paris also struck gold by being a natural beauty! She posted the above photo to her Twitter of her first ever headshot, and she looks perfect. Paris always had chops to become a star, and according to Celebrities Then and Now, she even managed to score title roles in the school plays, "The Diary of Anne Frank" and "Annie" in high school! Later on, and right before The Simple Life, she was catapulted to fame at the age of 19, starring in her first every Vanity Fair photo shoot with her sister Nicky, then 16.

The Simple Life made her a household name, and to be fair, showed she was a phenomenal actress, tricking us all into thinking she was a ditzy Barbie.

That fame then led her to star in other films such as The Hottie and the Nottie, and House of Wax, which was a hit. According to Bustle, Paris is actually a method actor, stating that she ran up and down flights of stairs to simulate being out of breath for her chase sequences in the film. Very nice to hear Paris is so dedicated to her craft!

1  Before She Was Known For Her Party Antics, She Actually Cleaned Up Really Well

Paris was unfortunately mostly known for her party antics at events. She did know how to clean up, though, like in this photo she posted on her Twitter! Looking beautiful in an emerald green dress, she captioned the photo, "Attending one of my first black-tie galas when I was 15 in NYC."

According to Broadly, she merely performed different roles such as the young party girl to "older respectable matron" based on the situation. She explains to Broadly, "When I'm in Ibiza I'm dressed like a raver Barbie. But then if I'm in New York and I'm going to a charity event, I'll wear, like, a black gown and be totally covered up and be like a different person."

Nowadays Paris has permanently cleaned up, not having been in the tabloids for any sort of rowdy party behavior at all. Paris told USA Today just a few months ago, "I'm very excited for the next phase of my life and to start a family and find true happiness. Because, yes, this is so much fun - I love what I'm doing, it's great being in Ibiza every summer DJing until eight in the morning - but sometimes it gets a little tiring. I'm still going to continue being the girl boss I am, but I'm also going to be a mom, and I can't wait for that day."

We support you Paris, and are so proud of how far you've come!

References: Broadly, W Magazine, Celebrities Then and Now, ET Online, Biography, WND, NYLON, Business Insider, Forbes, People, NY Magazine, People, CNN, Yahoo, News.com.au, In Touch Weekly, Chicago Tribune, ET Canada, ET Online, Hello Magazine, Forbes, Bustle, USA Today