Paris Hilton Turns Past Rebellion Into Parenting Wisdom

Paris Hilton, once the reigning queen of tabloid headlines and red-carpet mischief, is now trading her party-girl persona for the role of a vigilant, loving mom. As she gazes toward her children’s teenage years, Hilton is determined to draw on her own wild youth to guide her parenting—and to make sure her kids don’t follow in her rebellious footsteps.

In a candid interview with Fox News Digital published January 24, 2026, Hilton revealed she’s already thinking about how to handle the inevitable challenges of raising teenagers. "I think about that a lot just because I know how it is to be a teenager," she confessed, reflecting on her own notorious adolescence. The hotel heiress and entrepreneur, now 44, is a mother of two: son Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum, born in January 2023, and daughter London Marilyn Hilton Reum, born in November 2023, both via surrogacy with her husband Carter Reum.

Hilton’s strategy for curbing rebellion? She’s turning her home into the ultimate hangout spot—complete with a water slide, movie theater, tennis courts, and golf facilities—hoping that her kids will want to stay in rather than sneak out. "Even at our house, it’s such a fun place. I feel like they wouldn’t want to sneak out. I feel like all the kids are going to want to come here because we have the water slide, the movie theater, the tennis courts, the golf and all these fun activities. So, I feel like this will be the house where all the kids would want to hang out," she explained to Fox News Digital.

But Hilton isn’t relying on fun and games alone. She’s also invested in high-tech security, determined to keep a watchful eye without resorting to the heavy-handed discipline she experienced as a teen. "Plus, I have the craziest security system and cameras. … So, if they try to sneak out, I will know. And nothing would get past me because I know every trick in the book. But I feel like it won’t get to that point," Hilton said, her voice tinged with both humor and the wisdom of someone who’s seen it all.

Hilton’s approach is shaped by her own painful history. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, she was a fixture on the New York City nightclub scene, her every move chronicled by paparazzi. But behind the glitz, her teenage years were marked by rebellion—sneaking out to clubs and disappearing for days. Alarmed, her parents sent her to a string of schools for troubled teens. According to The Associated Press, Hilton was locked away for nearly two years, enduring abuse and sexual assault before her release at age 18.

It wasn’t until 2020, in her YouTube documentary "This Is Paris," that Hilton publicly detailed her ordeal. Since then, she’s become a vocal advocate for reform in the "troubled teen" industry, even testifying before Congress in June 2024 on child welfare and the need to protect America’s children. As Fox News Digital reported, Hilton’s advocacy is deeply personal, stemming from the trauma she endured and her determination to ensure no child suffers as she did.

Motherhood, Hilton says, has only deepened her commitment to family and shifted her priorities. "The biggest lesson [motherhood has taught me] is just how life is so precious," she reflected. "You have to take in every moment because they grow up so fast. [It’s about] really shifting my priorities to what matters most in life, and that’s family." She beams when talking about her children, calling them her legacy: "They are my legacy. I just want to give them all the love and support in the world. I just want to make them the most incredible human beings, the kindest, smartest, sweetest kids. And I love how, just seeing them grow up together, they’re best friends. I’m so excited about the future and seeing them grow up because they’re my little angels."

Hilton’s husband, Carter Reum, is another pillar of her new life. The couple married in 2021, and Hilton describes him as a supportive spouse and doting father. "I feel so lucky I met Carter at the perfect time in my life," she told Fox News Digital. "We’ve been inseparable. I didn’t even know a man like this existed. He’s kind, loyal, sweet and fun. He has the biggest heart and is obsessed with me." She continued, "I feel so safe, secure and supported — like I can do anything in life. He’s the best husband, best friend and dad — everything I ever wanted. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world every day because of him, my babies and everything in life."

Despite her business empire—spanning fragrances, jewelry, and more—Hilton says nothing compares to her role as a mother. Yet she hasn’t left her old life behind entirely. She’s currently preparing for her first full-length concert at the Hollywood Palladium, following the release of her 2024 album "Infinite Icon." Her new documentary, "Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir," offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at her music career and her journey of self-discovery.

Hilton admits that embracing her true self has been a long process. "For so long, I played this character as an armor or shield to protect myself. And I never really wanted to let anyone in because I didn’t even want to talk about anything deep or serious. But ever since I have been telling my story, it’s just been so healing and so empowering. It makes me proud of this woman that I am, how strong and resilient I am, and that I can be an inspiration to others," she shared. She added, "I’m getting to know myself all the time. I finally have time to reflect on my life. Doing a film like this lets me look even deeper. It’s been a journey of self-discovery."

Hilton’s parenting philosophy is a blend of attentive care and open communication. "I also feel like I will make them feel safe to be able to tell me anything, so they’ll not want to sneak out," she said. "I won’t be, like, a strict, strict [parent], but I’ll definitely be very attentive to everything." Drawing from her own experiences, she’s determined to foster an environment where her children feel both protected and free to be themselves.

For Hilton, the lessons of her past are not just cautionary tales but guideposts for building a better future for her family. She’s reframing her legacy from party icon to devoted mom, advocate, and businesswoman—proving that even the most storied lives can take on new meaning with the arrival of the next generation.

As Hilton looks ahead, she does so with hope, resilience, and a clear-eyed determination to protect her children from the pain she once endured, while giving them the freedom and support to become their best selves. Her story, one of transformation and hard-won wisdom, resonates well beyond the walls of her fun-filled, closely-guarded home.