A Eulogy for Tinkerbell Hilton (2001–2015)

(Image credit: Getty)

published 22 April 2015

Tinkerbell Hilton, who survived scratchy, skirted outfits and kidnapping attempts (opens in new tab) to become the preeminent Chihuahua of our time, died Wednesday. She was 14.

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Ms. Hilton began her career as a shriveled, bleary-eyed hand ornament, but soon rose to prominence as the universe's first canine reality star. On The Simple Life, she charmed audiences as large as 13.3 million viewers with her sweet personality, commanding stage presence, and unique sense of style best described as a cross between Bernini and Donatella Versace.

She became the embodiment of early-aughts pop culture, appearing in an Ellen von Unwerth-lensed Guess campaign and hosting Saturday Night Live alongside Keenan Thompson. Ms. Hilton was also an accomplished author, publishing The Tinkerbell Diaries: My Life Tailing Paris Hilton (opens in new tab) to critical acclaim in 2005.

Her survivors include her mother Paris, who raised her as a single parent, and various backup pets, including a Pomeranian, a kitten, and a ferret.

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Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.