Kathy Hilton, born Kathleen Elizabeth Avanzino on March 13, 1959, in New York City, is an American socialite, fashion designer, actress, and television personality. She is best known as the mother of socialite Paris Hilton and fashion designer Nicky Hilton, as well as the half-sister of actresses Kim and Kyle Richards.

Her father, Laurence Avanzino, was of Italian ancestry, while her mother, Kathleen Avanzino, had Irish roots. After her parents divorced, her mother married Kenneth E. Richards, giving Kathy two maternal half-sisters.

Her early life was marked by her close friendship with Michael Jackson, which began when she attended Montclair College Preparatory School in Los Angeles. She began her acting career as a child actress in 1968, appearing in shows like "Nanny and the Professor," "Bewitched," "Family Affair," "Happy Days," and "The Rockford Files."

She retired from acting in 1979 after marrying Richard Hilton, a businessman and the grandson of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton.

Kathy Hilton ventured into the fashion industry, launching her own retail business and the Kathy Hilton Collection, an elegant line of party and evening wear. She also hosted the NBC reality television series "I Want to Be a Hilton" in 2005.

Her television career saw a resurgence when she joined the Bravo reality TV show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" as a "friend of the housewives" in its eleventh and twelfth seasons. Her addition to the show was well-received, and she became a fan-favorite.

Her personal life is equally eventful. She married Richard Hilton in 1979, and the couple has four children: Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Barron Nicholas Hilton II, and Conrad Hughes Hilton III.

Her life is characterized by luxury and extravagance, with homes in Bel Air and the Hamptons, and a flat at New York City's exclusive Pierre Hotel. She is known for her opulent lifestyle, designer wardrobe, and full-time butlers.

Her net worth is estimated to be around $350 million, making her one of the richest celebrities in the American reality TV world. Her wealth is attributed to her marriage to Richard Hilton, her successful business ventures, and her appearances on reality TV shows.