Paris Hilton turns 40: Her life in photos

February 17, 2021 | 04:51pm

The undisputed queen of the 2000s, Paris Hilton, is turning 40. Take a look at the iconic socialite's life in photos.

Getty Images

Born in 1981 to Rick Hilton and Kathy Hilton, Paris became an heiress to the hotel magnate's family fortune. She's seen here with her parents and sister, Nicky Hilton.

Getty Images

By 1997 Hilton was all grown up and attending film premieres with her mom.

Getty Images

In 2001, Paris and Nicky were quickly becoming stars in the social scene, attending every party in outlandish outfits.

Getty Images

Hilton became famous for her fashion choices, including the bewilderingly low jeans she wore in 2002.

Getty Images

Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton would often attend parties together. Pictured here in 2002, they would eventually go on to star in "The Simple Life" as socialite best friends roughing it in a rural setting.

Getty Images

Perhaps more than any other celebrity, Paris Hilton made having a bevy of miniature pets a fad of the early 2000s. She's seen with three tiny dogs here in 2003.

Getty Images

"The Simple Life" was a hit that spawned five seasons in total. Hilton and Richie partied in celebration of wrapping season 2 in 2004.

Getty Images

Hilton became an item with Nick Carter in 2003, eventually dating him for seven months.

Getty Images

Kim Kardashian infamously worked for Hilton as her assistant before following a a similar career trajectory herself. They are seen here in 2006.

Getty Images

Hilton ran into trouble with the law after being arrested for a DUI, and subsequently violating her probation. She was sentenced to 45 days in jail and served 23 days in 2007.

Getty Images

As an international icon, Hilton was enlisted for a myriad of endorsement deals, including a famous Carl's Jr. ad in which she chows down on a burger in a bathing suit.

Getty Images

Clued into her persona, Hilton had fun with her image by making a music video in which she jokingly announced her run for president in 2008.

Getty Images

By 2012 Hilton was polishing up her image, wearing much more covered gowns to events like the Grammys.

FilmMagic

The socialite eventually landed in a space where she was more than comfortable: the party scene. Hilton worked as a top-billed DJ around the world, landing headlining gigs at electronic music festivals, other events and clubs.

Getty Images

In 2018 Hilton announced her third engagement to boyfriend Chris Zylka. She had previous been engaged to Jason Shaw and Paris Latsis. Hilton and Zylka eventually called it quits after two years together.

Getty Images

Hilton is now engaged for the fourth time to boyfriend Carter Reum, announcing the engagement on her 40th birthday. She started dating Reum a year before their engagement.

Backgrid