Heidi Montag, known for her tumultuous journey on The Hills, is a multifaceted personality who has found numerous ways to earn money post-reality TV fame.
After becoming a household name on MTV, Heidi has diversified her career across various industries, including television, music, writing, acting, and endorsements.
As of now, her net worth is estimated to be around $300,000. Although this figure may not match some of her peers from the show, Heidi’s income streams have allowed her to remain relevant and successful in different fields, even though The Hills ended more than a decade ago.
The Rise to Fame: The Hills and Early TV Appearances
Heidi Montag first captured the public’s attention in 2006 when she appeared on MTV’s The Hills, a reality show that chronicled the lives of young adults living in Los Angeles.
Initially cast as Lauren Conrad’s best friend, Heidi’s character quickly evolved as she began dating Spencer Pratt.
The on-screen drama, particularly her decision to stay with Spencer despite falling out with Lauren, became one of the show’s major storylines.
Heidi’s relationship with Spencer became central to the show’s narrative, creating a public persona of the “villain” that fans loved to hate.
During The Hills’ run, Heidi became a controversial figure, and her drama-filled relationship with Spencer captivated viewers.
Despite the show’s conclusion in 2010, Heidi continued to work in the reality TV space. She appeared in various competition and reality series, such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity Big Brother, Celebrity Wife Swap, Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars 2, and The Mother/Daughter Experiment: Celebrity Edition.
These appearances helped her maintain a presence in the media and gave her continued exposure, allowing her to grow her personal brand further.
In 2019, Heidi and Spencer reunited with several The Hills cast members for The Hills: New Beginnings, a spinoff series that aired for two seasons.
Although the show received mixed reviews, it allowed Heidi to remain relevant in the public eye and continue leveraging her fame from the original show.
Acting and Film Roles: Branching Out into Hollywood
While Heidi became famous through reality TV, she sought to expand her career into acting. She appeared in a few films following her time on The Hills, including a small role in the 2011 comedy Just Go with It, which starred Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.
Although her acting career did not take off in the same way as her reality TV career, she did have a role in the 2020 film Assassin 33 A.D., a low-budget action thriller. These roles were small but helped Heidi maintain her visibility within the entertainment industry.
Music Career: A Pop Album and Singles
In addition to acting, Heidi pursued a music career and released her debut album Superficial in January 2010.
The album was met with mixed reviews, and while it did not become a commercial hit, it was a significant step in Heidi’s attempt to diversify her career.
She released several songs from the album, including tracks like “More Is More,” “Your Love Found Me,” “Body Language,” “Glitter and Glory,” and “I’ll Do It.” Although Superficial remains her only album, Heidi’s songs helped solidify her as a multi-talented personality in the eyes of fans.
Writing and Entrepreneurship: Expanding Her Brand
In 2009, Heidi and Spencer published a book titled How to Be Famous: Our Guide to Looking the Part, Playing the Press, and Becoming a Tabloid Fixture.
The book offers advice on navigating the world of fame and dealing with the pressures of media scrutiny.
While the book didn’t achieve massive success, it was another way for Heidi to monetize her experience in the public eye. It also demonstrated her desire to share her insights and help others interested in following a similar career path.
Through their book and public appearances, Heidi and Spencer built a brand that leaned heavily into the idea of being “famous for being famous.” They also monetized this brand by continuing to make appearances and endorse products.
Podcasting: Speidi’s 16th Minute
In recent years, Heidi and Spencer have expanded into the podcasting world with Speidi’s 16th Minute. The podcast allows them to share their thoughts on celebrity culture, their lives, and the entertainment industry.
Fans who followed their time on The Hills have flocked to the podcast, eager to hear their unfiltered takes on various topics.
Podcasting provides Heidi with another stream of income while also allowing her to connect with her loyal fanbase.
Brand Endorsements: Hydroxycut Partnership
As of January 2025, Heidi Montag has partnered with the weight loss company Hydroxycut. The partnership includes her being the face of their national advertising campaign, which is being featured on TV, social media, and digital platforms.
Heidi shared her personal weight loss journey with Hydroxycut products, including gummies, drink mixes, and capsules.
In her announcement on Instagram, Heidi revealed that she had lost 22 pounds through a combination of using Hydroxycut and adopting a more balanced fitness and diet regimen.
This partnership is a key example of Heidi leveraging her personal brand for endorsement deals.
Her transparency about using the product and her ongoing fitness journey helped her align with a health-conscious audience, expanding her marketability beyond the entertainment world.
Family Life and Real Estate Ventures
Heidi Montag has also become a mother, which has shifted her public persona slightly. She and Spencer have two young children, and Heidi has openly discussed the challenges of balancing motherhood with maintaining her career and fitness goals.
Despite the demands of family life, Heidi continues to prioritize her professional endeavors.
Additionally, while not much is publicly known about Heidi’s real estate ventures, she and Spencer have invested in properties over the years.
They have expressed an interest in real estate in interviews, and some reports suggest they have made strategic property investments.
Net Worth Breakdown
Heidi Montag’s net worth is primarily composed of her earnings from reality television, acting, music, writing, podcasting, and brand endorsements. Some of her most lucrative endeavors include:
- Reality TV Appearances: The Hills and spinoff series The Hills: New Beginnings were major contributors to her fame and ongoing income.
- Brand Partnerships: Heidi’s endorsement deal with Hydroxycut in 2024 adds a significant income stream as she actively promotes the products.
- Music: Although her music career did not bring in massive amounts of money, it helped her brand herself as a multi-talented celebrity.
- Podcasting: Heidi and Spencer’s podcast Speidi’s 16th Minute is another source of income that connects them with a dedicated fanbase.
- Book Sales: While How to Be Famous may not have been a bestseller, it contributed to Heidi’s brand-building efforts and income.
Despite the challenges she has faced over the years, Heidi has successfully capitalized on her fame and leveraged it to earn money in various ways.
As a reality TV star turned entrepreneur, she continues to evolve her career and find new ways to stay relevant in the entertainment industry.
