Kathy Hilton's Net Worth: The RHOBH Star Is Worth More Than You Think
While Paris Hilton may be the most recognizable member of the Hilton family, now is her mother Kathy Hilton's time to shine. People confirmed in October 2020 that Kathy would be joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' eleventh season, appearing as a new friend of the show alongside her sister, cast member Kyle Richards. "My sister Kathy is actually ... one the funniest people there is. She's a practical joker and she's very, very funny," Richards told Andy Cohen in 2019, per the site. "So I think she would be an amazing Housewife, actually."
Not everyone in the family was on board with this move, though. Kathy's famous daughters Paris and Nicky revealed on Paris' podcast that their mom did not even tell them she was joining. "My mom lied to us, pretended she wasn't doing it, wouldn't admit it," Paris said. Nicky claimed her mom has never even seen the show, adding, "She has no idea what she's getting into."
Of course, to even be asked to be a Real Housewife, you have to be worth enough to comfortably hang with the upper crust. So just how much is Kathy Hilton worth?
In addition to her husband's inheritance, Kathy Hilton has earned her own money
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Kathy Hilton's total worth at $350 million. The site notes that this is a combined worth with her husband of over 40 years, hotel heir Rick Hilton. While the bulk of their fortune most likely comes from Rick's inheritance, Kathy's entrepreneurial spirit has been with her since childhood.
Kathy was just 5 years old when she took on her first business venture, selling flowers out of her family's garden. In the '80s and '90s, she ran an antique shop called The Staircase on Sunset Plaza, and in 2002, she began selling household items and skincare products on QVC and HSN. "Kathy likes selling," Rick told The Wall Street Journal, "so she would dominate." And Rick was right, as she sold out of some products after her first on-air appearance.
But Rick is not the only one to commend Kathy's business acumen. When Kathy launched her own line of party dresses in 2012, Colleen Sherin, the senior fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue, told The Oklahoman, "She's very smart in the way she's positioning the collection. She understands the realities of what many women can spend on evening wear."
The Oklahoman reported that Kathy "also has her eye on bedding, furniture, costume jewelry and more," and with increased exposure from The Real Housewives, the time may be ripe for her to embark on a new entrepreneurial adventure.