What Happened to Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. (Perez Hilton)?
Perez Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., rose to prominence as a controversial celebrity gossip blogger in the early 2000s, known for his snarky commentary and 'doodles' on paparazzi photos. Over the years, he has evolved into a broader media personality, embracing fatherhood through surrogacy, hosting a popular podcast, and maintaining a significant online presence, despite facing past controversies and a recent hospitalization in March 2026.
Quick Answer
Perez Hilton, the pioneering celebrity gossip blogger, continues his career as a media personality, podcaster, and devoted father of three. After moving to Las Vegas with his family in 2023, he celebrated 20 years of his influential blog in 2024. Most recently, in March 2026, Hilton was hospitalized in Las Vegas for a mysterious health scare, from which he has since been released and is recovering at home, promising to share full details soon.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr.
Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., who would later become known as Perez Hilton, was born in Miami, Florida.
Graduated from New York University
Hilton graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama, initially pursuing an acting career.
Launched PerezHilton.com
He launched his celebrity gossip blog, initially named PageSixSixSix.com, which quickly gained notoriety and was renamed PerezHilton.com.
Sued for Copyright Infringement
Zomba Label Group filed a lawsuit against Hilton for illegally posting Britney Spears' recordings on his blog.
Co-hosted MTV Europe Music Awards
Hilton expanded his media presence by co-hosting the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Welcomed First Child
His first child, a son named Mario Armando Lavandeira III, was born via surrogacy.
Accused of Stalking Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga publicly accused Hilton of stalking her after he was spotted in her apartment building, which Hilton denied.
Appeared on Celebrity Big Brother
Hilton participated as a housemate on the fifteenth season of the British reality series, 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
Welcomed Second Child
His second child, daughter Mia Alma, was born via surrogacy.
Welcomed Third Child
His third child, daughter Mayte Amor, was born via surrogacy.
Permanently Banned from TikTok
Hilton was permanently banned from TikTok, where he had 1.6 million followers, leading to a public outcry from him.
Moved to Las Vegas
Perez Hilton and his family relocated from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Celebrated 20 Years of Blogging
Hilton marked two decades since the launch of his influential celebrity gossip blog, reflecting on his career and past regrets.
Hospitalized for Health Scare
Perez Hilton was hospitalized in Las Vegas for a mysterious health scare, sharing photos and videos from his hospital bed and thanking the medical staff.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., known professionally as Perez Hilton, was born on March 23, 1978, in Miami, Florida. After graduating from New York University in 2000 with a degree in drama, he initially pursued an acting career before launching his celebrity gossip blog, PageSixSixSix.com, in 2004. Renamed PerezHilton.com, the site quickly gained notoriety for its unfiltered, often mean-spirited commentary and distinctive 'doodles' on tabloid photos, establishing Hilton as a dominant, albeit controversial, force in online media.
His early career was marked by numerous legal battles, including a copyright infringement lawsuit from Zomba Label Group in 2007 for posting Britney Spears' recordings. Hilton also faced criticism for 'outing' alleged closeted celebrities, a practice he later apologized for as social attitudes shifted. Notable feuds included those with Lady Gaga, whom he was accused of stalking in 2013, and a physical altercation with the Black Eyed Peas' manager in 2009. Despite the controversies, his blog attracted millions of daily views, making him a significant figure in the burgeoning digital media landscape.
In recent years, Hilton has embraced a more family-focused public persona. He became a single gay father through surrogacy, welcoming his son, Mario Armando Lavandeira III, in 2013, followed by daughters Mia Alma in 2015 and Mayte Amor in 2017. This shift included adopting a 'No Kids Policy' for paparazzi photos of celebrity children, a stark contrast to his earlier blogging style. In January 2023, Hilton relocated with his three children and mother, Teresita Lavandeira, to Las Vegas, citing the city's large Cuban community and family-friendly environment as reasons for the move.
Beyond his blog, Hilton has expanded his media presence. He co-hosts "The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker," which offers his unique perspective on trending showbiz stories. He also runs two YouTube channels, including "Perez Hilton And Family," where he shares glimpses of his personal life and children. In 2020, he was permanently banned from TikTok, a platform where he had amassed 1.6 million followers, leading to a tearful public appeal. In 2024, he celebrated 20 years of his blog, reflecting on his career and expressing regrets about his past harsh commentary.
As of March 2026, Perez Hilton remains active in media. On March 21, 2026, he was hospitalized in Las Vegas for an undisclosed health scare, sharing photos from his hospital bed and thanking the staff at Southern Hills Hospital for their care. He has since been released and is recovering at home, promising to share the full story of his "March madness" soon. His current net worth is estimated at $20 million.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. (Perez Hilton) made different choices?