Grandpa Hilton -- Not As Nice As You Think

According to a new book released yesterday, Paris' grandfather, Barron Hilton, wrested away millions of dollars that his dead father intended to leave to the poor -- the exact opposite of his recent charitable announcement. Feeling guilty, maybe?
Read an excerpt from the book
Barron made headlines this week when he said that he was bequeathing 97% of his fortune to charity, the majority of which would go to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, named for his father. When Conrad passed, he too planned to leave the bulk of his fortune to the foundation, but Barron had slightly different plans.

The new book, "Free Lunch" by David Cay Johnston, details how Barron fought for years to gain control over his father's assets, eventually receiving "more than half of the value of the stock in his father's estate, about 250 times the amount specified as a gift in his father's will."

Johnston says that at the time, Barron argued that he was trying to retain control of the Hilton hotel chain for the family. Earlier this year, Hilton Hotels was sold to the Blackstone Group for $26 billion. Extended family, perhaps?

Reader Comments

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46. Setting up a foundation is a routine way to avoid inheritance tax laws and minimize recipient income tax in this country. You can bet that every relative of this guy will have a permanent, well-paid "consulting" type job or Board position at the Hilton Foundation, even Paris.

Posted at 5:11PM on Dec 28th 2007 by eurosnbaht

47. Well Brandon, Paris is poor now. Just like you told Lilo. 7 million means you are poor. Well your friend with benefits fits
that now. At least Lilo can work she has talent.

Posted at 5:19PM on Dec 28th 2007 by VS

48. It’s sad how people with billions can be so blind to the real world. Its old money, passed on from generation to generation, and these people never had to work an honest job for even one day in their lives. And because they were born into money they have no respect for the hard work that went into making that money in the first place. They spend frivolously and give nothing back in the grand scheme of things. They actually think that money is the only important thing in the world. If Paris would have actually cracked that bible open instead of flaunting it around like some badge of proof that she’s a good person she would know she should be ashamed of herself and her family. She and her entire family is a disgrace and I’m embarrassed for them. If any of them had to live like the rest of us for even one week they would fall apart. A perfect example is when Paris went to jail. So upset that she was going to have to actually pay for her crime and not get special treatment like she has her entire life. And for what? Being a tramp, spend freak with zero self respect and not an ounce of true beauty, inside or out. She’s fake through and through and in her warped mind it’s justified. Totally NOT HOT!

Posted at 5:33PM on Dec 28th 2007 by Kris

49. If the money actually helps other people, I say good for him. Maybe he now knows that there is more to life than just sitting on a bunch of money, and spending on crazy things. There is nothing more honorable than to give to those that struggle to make ends meet.

Posted at 5:53PM on Dec 28th 2007 by La Vonda author of "Never Say Never" The Survival Journal

50. Bummer! I guess dear Kathy Hilton must go back to the POLE/LAP Dancing!!! I wonder if she has enough money for plastic surgery so she can look presentable ON THE STAGE and ON LAPS!

Posted at 5:39PM on Dec 28th 2007 by Gipsy princess

51. Astrid: Tax dodge! Damn, I should have thought of that. Good point.

Posted at 5:45PM on Dec 28th 2007 by the lost

52. Funny....he totally disses what his dad wanted, and now he's doing the exact same thing....apparently he knew he couldn't make it without daddy's money. If he dies soon, his family has every right to do what he did.....

Posted at 6:20PM on Dec 28th 2007 by me

53. To #45 - Paris' Agent...

"Poor slobs" ?? You are disgusting. Also, your "facts" are waaaayyyy off.

Posted at 6:17PM on Dec 28th 2007 by GeorgeS

54. If this is real, Welcome to the real world Paris and Nicky, lol. Now just get a job like the rest of us and EARN the money! But I am not believing this at all until I see Paris and Nicky working like the rest of us! LOL! I don't feel bad for them anyways because they will always find a way around anything and their Mommy and Daddy will continue to give them money, homes and cars!!!! We shall wait and see what happens...

Posted at 6:51PM on Dec 28th 2007 by LOLGURL

55. To TMZ 1) Please post the most recent thread automatically, so it does not matter who post first. It is juvenile addiction to be first and not say anything , so you should take that away. 2) My friend tried to change the channel to watch your show, and I asked her why. if you have seen one TMZ show you pretty much seem them all...it is Brtiney, Lilo or Paris coming out or going into ....a club, a store. or the occassional airport....There are few other celebrities in TMZ coverage universe, doing very little...and it can get old pretty fast. Once the writer's strike is over things may look a little harsh on your ratings.

Posted at 7:41PM on Dec 28th 2007 by Kylie

56. why not give the money to a charity that does not end in "Hilton Foundation.."

Posted at 8:34PM on Dec 28th 2007 by Lily

57. I think it's disgusting that the press is making out like Paris is going to be poor. What a joke this family is.

Posted at 8:13PM on Dec 28th 2007 by whatever you say

58. Grandpa Barron Hilton expressed, Paris was an embarrassment to the family.

For now on, Paris will have to work for her money it won't come to her and I don't think any one
or product is looking for her endorsement and of course no one with any public stature will hire her
as an actress as her public rating is very low.

Paris Hilton is the only celebrity who nobody likes, even the self destructive and lazy Britney
Spears has a lot of fans and Lindsay Lohan has a few supporters but Paris has none she lost
her last supporter, "me" some time ago. The tipping point for me was after she left jail with
her lousy interview with Larry King and she absolved herself of any responsibility and failed
to make fruition of her promises to help sick children, build a halfway house for ex inmates
and pulled out of her charitable trip to Rwanda, not because the charity changed it's mind but
because she just did not want to go she pulled out herself.

For someone who calls them self a animal rights activist she Paris Hilton has more than ten
chiwawas and a bunch of other animals in probably poor conditions in her house, who knows if she
has dead animals in her freezer or even lying around her house or yard, in any case animal
control, needs to give her house a visit.

My guess to why Paris has so many pets and in particular very small "low maintenance" dogs is
because sees her pets as friends or people that she can control that she cant do with humans,
another words Paris Hilton can't maintain friendships with people so she has pets and uses those as
friends.

Paris Hilton has made herself as a pariah and deserves to be.

Posted at 8:54PM on Dec 28th 2007 by BOEING 787

59. C'mon baby, eat the rich
Put the bite on that son of a bitch

lyrics to a Mototead song

Posted at 8:42PM on Dec 29th 2007 by Dave

60. You know we can't change anything that Baron has done in regards to this issue only to hope and pray that he does the right thing in the future regarding this issue. I like Will Smith regarding the Hitler issue. Maybe at the time Baron did what he did he
thought what he was doing was the right thing and maybe at that particular time in his mind it was the right thing. So remember
before you past judgement on someone else no matter how minute or how great the act was we all fall short and by the
" Grace of God " there goes I. Mr. Hilton if your efforts are pure at heart I applaud them and if not your words we only be recognized as being in vain and who's going to catch the wrath ? Your Family. So do us all a favor as well as yourself and do the right thing for the right reason.

Posted at 11:09PM on Dec 28th 2007 by James Johnson

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