OUR FAVOURITE HEIRESSES
PARIS HILTON The Simple Life
star is now 37 and engaged to actor/model Chris Zylka. As a model working with Donald Trump’s agency, she became known as New York’s leading IT girl. There were rumours of a brief romance with Leonardo DiCaprio. The hotel heiress really hit the big time when her sex tape One Night in Paris was released in 2003. She has since gone on to write a New York Times bestseller.
BARBARA HUTTON
Granddaughter of the self-made founder of the Woolworths chain, Barbara Hutton was the original ‘poor little rich girl’. Her mother died when she was just four, meaning she inherited millions in trust. There was more money to come when she turned 18, and seven marriages followed, including one to Cary Grant. The saying ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it’ originated with Hutton, who was famous for her spending. A victim of drugs and alcohol abuse, she died having spent most of her money.
CINDY McCAIN
Wife of Senator John McCain, Cindy McCain is the heiress to the Hensley beer fortune in Arizona. She is said to own 10 houses, including an apartment in Washington and a holiday home in Arizona. Unlike many heiresses, Cindy is seemingly the product of a happy upbringing. After spinal surgery she is said to have suffered from an addiction to painkillers, which she hid from her husband for sometime. Now a prominent philanthropist, she and John are said to enjoy a happy marriage.
DANIELLE RYAN
Dublin-born Danielle Ryan inherited a fortune in her early twenties. The granddaughter of Ryanair founder Tony Ryan and daughter of Cathal has gone on to found luxury lifestyle brand Roads, the Lir drama academy, and write specialist travel guides.
PETRA ECCLESTONE
Daughter of Bernie and heiress to the Formula One fortune, Petra is a mother of three, who, in the last few years underwent an acrimonious divorce involving a battle over her £5bn fortune. She now lives in LA in a mansion formerly owned by Aaron Spelling. The Manor, with 123 rooms, is said to be the largest private home in California.