Whether you’re a political junkie following California’s upcoming gubernatorial race or a pop-culture enthusiast keeping tabs on the Hilton dynasty, a question often arises: is Steve Hilton related to Paris Hilton? The answer might surprise you. Let’s set the record straight.
The short answer is no. The Steve Hilton running for California governor is not related to Paris Hilton or the Hilton hotel fortune. However, the persistent confusion does have a basis in fact. While there is a Steve Hilton in the famous family—specifically, Steven M. Hilton, who is Paris’s uncle—he is a completely different person from the British-born political commentator. Keep reading for all the details.
The Political Commentator from London
The Steve Hilton who is currently a Republican candidate for California governor—and a familiar face on Fox News—has roots that are entirely distinct from the American hotel dynasty. Stephen Glenn Charles Hilton was born on August 25, 1969, in London, England. His parents were Hungarian refugees who fled their homeland during the 1956 revolution against the Soviet Union. They came to Britain with nothing, and the family’s original surname was Hircsák before being anglicized.
“A chance for change.”
Steve Hilton celebrated advancing to California’s gubernatorial general election after securing a spot in the state’s top-two primary.
The Trump-backed Republican will now face former Biden Cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra in a high-stakes race to succeed… pic.twitter.com/40Jo3cuyLI
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 10, 2026
Steve Hilton’s career has been in politics and media, not hotels. He rose to prominence as a senior adviser and head of strategy for former British Prime Minister David Cameron, where he was known for his unconventional and disruptive approach. After leaving that role in 2012, he moved to the United States. He became a host on Fox News Channel and is the author of several books on business and politics. He and his wife, a former Google and Netflix executive, live in California.
The Hilton Hotel Heir
So, where does the “other” Steve Hilton fit in? The relative in the famous family is Steven M. Hilton (sometimes called Steve). He is a direct descendant of Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain. Born in 1950, Steven is the son of Barron Hilton and the grandson of Conrad Hilton, making him the uncle of Paris Hilton.
Also See: Xavier Becerra’s Anchor: Meet His Wife and Three Daughters
Unlike his famous nieces, Steven M. Hilton has largely stayed out of the socialite spotlight. He worked for the family hotel business in his younger years but eventually dedicated his life to philanthropy. For decades, he served as the chairman of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a massive charitable trust that he helped turn into one of the most effective philanthropic organizations in the world.
So, to summarize: the Fox News host and California gubernatorial candidate is not a member of the hotel family. The true relative is Steven M. Hilton, the philanthropist and Paris’s uncle. They just share a similar common name.
