CELEBRITIES

Happy 40th birthday, Paris Hilton! The socialite, reality star and DJ through the years

Hannah Yasharoff
USA TODAY
Happy birthday, Paris Hilton! The multi-hyphenate socialite, businesswoman, singer, actress and DJ turns 40 on Feb. 17, 2021, after more than two decades in the spotlight, from her " Simple Life " stardom days to a more recent turn toward activism. Scroll through for photos of Hilton through the years.
Happy birthday, Paris Hilton! The multi-hyphenate socialite, businesswoman, singer, actress and DJ turns 40 on Feb. 17, 2021, after more than two decades in the spotlight, from her "Simple Life" stardom days to a more recent turn toward activism. Scroll through for photos of Hilton through the years.
Brendan Forbes
In September 2020, the documentary " This Is Paris " chronicled Hilton ' s experiences with fame through the years. She opened up in documentary about past traumas, alleging her tumultuous young adult years were the result of experiencing verbal, emotional and physical abuse while attending a Utah boarding school for troubled teens.
In September 2020, the documentary "This Is Paris" chronicled Hilton's experiences with fame through the years. She opened up in documentary about past traumas, alleging her tumultuous young adult years were the result of experiencing verbal, emotional and physical abuse while attending a Utah boarding school for troubled teens.
Courtesy Of YouTube Originals
The following month, she attended a protest outside the Provo Canyon School, where she alleged the abuse took place.
The following month, she attended a protest outside the Provo Canyon School, where she alleged the abuse took place.
Courtesy Jen Robinson
Hilton was joined at the protest by her boyfriend, Carter Reum. The two celebrated their 1-year anniversary in December 2020 and Hilton announced Feb. 17, 2021, that Reum had proposed.
Hilton was joined at the protest by her boyfriend, Carter Reum. The two celebrated their 1-year anniversary in December 2020 and Hilton announced Feb. 17, 2021, that Reum had proposed.
Jennifer Rovero
She sparkled in a silver minidress at the 2019 Streamy Awards.
She sparkled in a silver minidress at the 2019 Streamy Awards.
Jon Kopaloff, Getty Images
Hilton sat next to Cydni Lauper at the Libertine New York Fashion Week show on Sept. 11, 2019.
Hilton sat next to Cydni Lauper at the Libertine New York Fashion Week show on Sept. 11, 2019.
Roy Rochlin, Getty Images
A few days prior, she and a furry friend attended NYFW ' s Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet presentation
A few days prior, she and a furry friend attended NYFW's Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet presentation
GOTHAM/FILMMAGIC
In 2018, Hilton appeared in the documentary " The American Meme " about social media influencers. She ' s pictured here with director Bert Marcus.
In 2018, Hilton appeared in the documentary "The American Meme" about social media influencers. She's pictured here with director Bert Marcus.
Mike Coppola, Getty Images
She went with a neon look for the 2018 Casamigos Halloween party.
She went with a neon look for the 2018 Casamigos Halloween party.
Michael Kovac, Getty Images For Casamigos
Hilton matched the red carpet in a sheer heart-covered dress at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Hilton matched the red carpet in a sheer heart-covered dress at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Rachel Murray, Getty Images
Accompanied by sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Hilton attended the Oscar De La Renta fashion show during New York Fashion Week in Sept. 2017.
Accompanied by sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Hilton attended the Oscar De La Renta fashion show during New York Fashion Week in Sept. 2017.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images
In 2014, she posed with Zedd concert-goers at Coachella.
In 2014, she posed with Zedd concert-goers at Coachella.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images For Coachella
She struck a pose outside the 2014 amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala.
She struck a pose outside the 2014 amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala.
Pascal Le Segretain, AmfAR14/ WireImage
Hilton is shown DJing in Ibiza during a 2013 residency.
Hilton is shown DJing in Ibiza during a 2013 residency.
Courtesy Paris Hilton
Hilton stepped out in a white lace gown by Basil Soda at the 2012 Grammys.
Hilton stepped out in a white lace gown by Basil Soda at the 2012 Grammys.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Not always one to embrace new technology, David Letterman got a lesson from Hilton on how to use her new smartphone app in 2011.
Not always one to embrace new technology, David Letterman got a lesson from Hilton on how to use her new smartphone app in 2011.
John Paul Filo, CBS Via AP
She got into the holiday spirit at an event to promote her new fragrance on Dec. 3, 2009.
She got into the holiday spirit at an event to promote her new fragrance on Dec. 3, 2009.
Toby Canham, Getty Images
Paris Hilton (right) sat with pal Kim Kardashian (left) and sister Nicky Hilton (center) at a 2009 Tracy Reese fashion show.
Paris Hilton (right) sat with pal Kim Kardashian (left) and sister Nicky Hilton (center) at a 2009 Tracy Reese fashion show.
Amy Sussman, Getty Images For IMG
In 2008, Hilton got patriotic for her music video for " Paris for President. "
In 2008, Hilton got patriotic for her music video for "Paris for President."
Handout, Getty Images
Hilton posed with several tiny pups at her Maibu home in July 2007.
Hilton posed with several tiny pups at her Maibu home in July 2007.
A few months prior, she walked the runway at the 2 B Free Fall Collection fashion show in Hollywood.
A few months prior, she walked the runway at the 2 B Free Fall Collection fashion show in Hollywood.
Mark Davis, Getty Images
Joined by Kardashian, Hilton and Justin Timberlake attended an after party for the premiere of crime drama " Alpha Dog. "
Joined by Kardashian, Hilton and Justin Timberlake attended an after party for the premiere of crime drama "Alpha Dog."
Stephen Shugerman, Getty Images
In 2006, she released her debut album, " Paris. "
In 2006, she released her debut album, "Paris."
NONE, XXX Warner Bros.
With a chunky white headband and hoops to match, Hilton appeared on MTV ' s " Total Request Live " in New York on July 13, 2006.
With a chunky white headband and hoops to match, Hilton appeared on MTV's "Total Request Live" in New York on July 13, 2006.
PAUL HAWTHORNE, AP
Hilton, accompanied by her dog Tinkerbelle, posed during a New York press conference for her watch brand in 2005.
Hilton, accompanied by her dog Tinkerbelle, posed during a New York press conference for her watch brand in 2005.
STEPHEN CHERNIN, AP
In 2005, she appeared in a Carl ' s Jr. commercial called “ I Love Paris, ” set to the tune of Cole Porter ’ s famous song. So many people visited the company ' s website to view shots from the ad that the traffic crashed the site.
In 2005, she appeared in a Carl's Jr. commercial called “I Love Paris,” set to the tune of Cole Porter’s famous song. So many people visited the company's website to view shots from the ad that the traffic crashed the site.
Jeff Vespa, WireImage Via Carl's Jr.
Hilton attended the 2004 Sundance Film Festival in a look that screams " early 2000s. "
Hilton attended the 2004 Sundance Film Festival in a look that screams "early 2000s."
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Hilton posed on the red carpet at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards.
Hilton posed on the red carpet at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards.
CARLO ALLEGRI, GETTY IMAGES
She showed off chopped locks on the catwalk in Australia in November 2003.
She showed off chopped locks on the catwalk in Australia in November 2003.
SEAN GARNSWORTHY, GETTY IMAGES
In 2003, Hilton (left) and Nicole Richie (right) starred in their iconic reality show, " The Simple Life, " about two wealthy socialites who experience life on a farm for the first time.
In 2003, Hilton (left) and Nicole Richie (right) starred in their iconic reality show, "The Simple Life," about two wealthy socialites who experience life on a farm for the first time.
SAM JONES, FOX