Paris Hilton Launches Emergency Fund for Fire Victims, Donates $100,000

After Paris Hilton learned her Malibu home burned down due to the Los Angeles wildfires, she announced she’s ready to assist others in need.

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Simple Life star, 43, said she and her family watched her Malibu home burn down on live TV. A day later, she shared footage of the property after it was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire in an Instagram video.

Then on Friday, Jan. 10, the businesswoman shared on Instagram that she’s ready to start helping those also suffering loss. “💔 My heart is with everyone impacted by the devastating fires here in LA,” she began.

“While I’ve lost my Malibu home, my thoughts are with the countless families who have lost so much more—their homes, cherished keepsakes, the communities they loved, and their sense of stability 🙏,” she continued. “As a mom, I can’t imagine the pain and fear of not having a safe place for your babies.”

Hilton is launching an emergency fund through her nonprofit 11:11 Media Impact to “support displaced families with young children,” she wrote.

“I’m starting with a personal contribution of $100,000 and will be matching additional dollars raised up to $100,000 more. I am looking for others to donate and match alongside me to do our part!”

Hilton is working with the emergency relief organization CORE, she said. The donations will provide short-term housing and hotel stays for families, deliver essentials and supplies to evacuation centers and support local animal shelters.

“This effort could not be possible without collaboration and a sense of urgency: I’m immensely grateful to partner with [Amy Marks Dornbusch] for mobilizing private female funders to support this effort so that we can launch today starting with $200,000, [CORE] for distributing cash assistance to our families while they navigate their needs, [Baby2Baby] for distribution of much needed supplies for babies and young children and more,” she wrote.

“Let’s come together for LA. Every dollar makes a difference, and we’ll make sure the support reaches those who need it most,” she concluded.

Hilton lost her home in the Palisades fire, which began on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Since the fires erupted, 11 people have died, and 180,000 people across Los Angeles and Ventura counties have evacuated from their homes.

As of Friday, Jan. 10, the Palisades fire burned nearly 21,000 acres, and it is 8% contained, according to Cal Fire. The other major fire, the Eaton Fire, burned approximately 13,690 acres and is now 3% contained. Over 12,300 structures have been destroyed in the two major fires.

A recent report from The Wall Street Journal said the L.A. wildfires are expected to be the costliest in U.S. history.

Many other celebrities have shared that they have lost their homes in the fires, including Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Billy Crystal, Anna Faris, Cobie Smulders and Taran Killam, Candy Spelling, Cameron Mathison, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, John Goodman, Ricki Lake, Eugene Levy, Anthony Hopkins and Cary Elwes.