Perez Hilton built his fame — and his money — by writing about celebrity gossip. He started back when “going viral” meant something different. Now, nearly 20 years later, people want to know his net worth again. In 2026, the answer isn’t simple.
Here’s what you need to know about his money, where it came from, and why things have changed this year.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Real Name | Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. |
| Net Worth (2026) | About $20 million (most common estimate); some say closer to $3 million in cash |
| Born | March 23, 1978 (age 48) |
| Birthplace | Miami, Florida |
| Job | Blogger, TV personality, author, podcaster |
| Main Income | PerezHilton.com, TV, books, podcasts, real estate |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Kids | 3 (through surrogacy) |
So, What Is Perez Hilton’s Net Worth Right Now?
For years, trackers said Hilton was worth about $20 million. Most sites still use that number in 2026. It comes from two decades of ad money, TV deals, book sales, podcasts, and real estate profits.
But 2026 has been hard on him. In May, he told fans in a livestream that a three-week hospital stay had drained his bank account. He said he needs new ways to earn money. A month later, he put his Las Vegas mansion up for sale for $4.25 million. He had just finished fixing it up a few years before.
In early August 2026, Celebrity Net Worth lowered its estimate to about $3 million. This matters. Net worth counts property and business value, not just cash. So a lower cash number doesn’t mean he lost everything. But it does show his cash flow has taken a hit this year.
The truth is, his real net worth probably sits between these two numbers. No one — including us — has seen his bank records or debts. Treat any number here as a guess, not a fact.
How Perez Hilton Made His Money
PerezHilton.com
Hilton started his blog in 2004. He first called it PageSixSixSix.com, then renamed it PerezHilton.com. His style was simple: fast celebrity news, paparazzi photos with his own comments scrawled on top, and bold opinions other writers avoided.
By 2007, the site drew about 2.6 million visitors each month. Ads paid well — weekly packages ranged from $9,000 to $45,000. One top ad slot alone could earn over $2 million a year.
In 2010, someone offered Hilton $20 million to buy the site. He said no. He kept full ownership, which meant he kept all future profits — but also felt the pain when traffic dropped as people moved to Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
TV, Books, and Podcasts
Hilton used his blog fame to land TV spots. He appeared on “Celebrity Big Brother” (UK), VH1’s “What Perez Sez,” “The View,” and “Worst Cooks in America.” He also wrote several books, including his memoir “TMI: My Life in Scandal.” He hosts podcasts about entertainment news and his own life, too.
Real Estate
Real estate has shaped his finances more than most people realize:
- He bought a West Hollywood home for $2 million in 2009. He sold it for about $2.9 million in 2016.
- He bought a home in LA’s Carthay Circle for $1.71 million in 2013. He sold it for about $3.7 million in 2023, after first listing it near $4.2 million.
- After moving to Las Vegas, he built a 6,570-square-foot home in the gated Prado community. It has a guest house and a private suite for his mother. It’s been for sale at $4.25 million since June 2026.
- In mid-2026, Hilton and his family moved into a rented home in Miami’s Westchester area, near where he grew up.
Recent Health and Money Struggles
You can’t talk about Hilton’s 2026 net worth without mentioning his health this year. Early on, he spent weeks in the hospital with an ulcer and sepsis. He’s said he couldn’t walk for a while and needed emergency surgery.
In August, he had another health scare at his Miami home and went for a hospital check. His team has asked for privacy for him and his family. Out of respect, we won’t share more details than what’s already public.
These events explain a lot about why his money situation looks shakier in 2026 than it did just a year or two ago — and why net worth guesses vary so much right now.
FAQ
What is Perez Hilton’s real name?
Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. He picked “Perez Hilton” as a play on Paris Hilton’s name when he started blogging.
How did he make his money?
Mostly through ads on PerezHilton.com. He also earns from TV, books, podcasts, and real estate.
Is he still worth $20 million?
That’s still the most common guess. But recent reports say his cash on hand has dropped a lot in 2026, after a long hospital stay and rising costs. His true net worth is hard to confirm.
Does he still run his blog?
Yes. PerezHilton.com is still active. So are his podcast and YouTube channels. But it doesn’t get the traffic or ad rates it did back in 2007.
How many kids does he have?
Three — a son born in 2013 and two daughters born in 2015 and 2017. All three were born through surrogacy.
Net worth figures are estimates based on public reports. Perez Hilton and his team have not confirmed them. This page will update as new details come in.
