Pamela Hilburger: Mother Of Supermodel Devon Aoki

Pamela Hilburger, an American celebrity parent, is widely recognized as the mother of acclaimed supermodel Devon Aoki. She gained public attention through her marriage to Hiroaki 'Rocky' Aoki, the founder of the iconic Benihana restaurant chain. What has become of Pamela Hilburger today?

The Aoki family has been a dominant force in the Japanese restaurant industry in the United States since the establishment of the first Benihana restaurant in 1964. Pamela Hilburger became part of the Aoki family in the 1970s when she entered into a relationship with Rocky Aoki, leading to the eventual dissolution of his first marriage.

Pamela Hilburger's Profile Summary

Pamela Hilburger's Age

Pamela Hilburger, the mother of supermodel Devon Aoki, is estimated to be around 73 years old as of 2024. She was born in 1951 in Germany, though her specific birth date remains undisclosed.

Read also:

Howard Morris Net Worth A Comprehensive Look Into His Life And Legacy

Pamela was born to Rosa D. and Edwin Hilburger and grew up in a large family with six siblings: the late Mark, Valerie, Larry, Derek, and Richard. This close-knit upbringing shaped much of her early life.

Pamela Hilburger's Marriage

Pamela Hilburger first met Japanese entrepreneur Rocky Aoki while he was still married to his first wife, Chizuru Kobayashi. Their affair remained concealed for a time, but their relationship came into the open following Rocky's near-fatal speedboat accident in 1979. Remarkably, both his wife and Pamela visited him in the hospital, which led to an awkward confrontation.

In an interview with New York Magazine, Rocky humorously recounted the moment he opened his eyes to see both women standing by his bedside. To diffuse the tension, he pretended to slip back into unconsciousness.

I see my wife standing over me, on one side. On the other side, I see my girlfriend. I say, 'Ohhh!' and close my eyes again.

Pamela eventually married Rocky in 1981, shortly after his divorce from Chizuru was finalized. Their marriage lasted for about a decade before they divorced in 1991. Following their separation, Rocky remarried in 2002 to his third wife, Keiko Ono. It is unclear if Pamela remarried after their divorce.

Pamela Hilburger's Children

Pamela Hilburger and Rocky Aoki shared three children during their relationship. Their eldest son, Kyle, was born around 1975 while they were still involved in an extramarital affair. This was followed by the birth of their daughter, Echo V. Aoki, in 1977, coinciding with the birth of Rocky's son Steve from his first marriage.

Rocky once explained to the New York Times how his complex family dynamics led to his first wife's decision to divorce him. He candidly shared:

Read also:

Sidney Torres Net Worth A Comprehensive Look At His Wealth

Grace, 32; Kevin, 31; Steven, 21; then, my second marriage with Pamela—she was American—Kyle, 23; Echo, 21... I have three kids the same age from three different women. That's why my first wife divorced me.

Pamela and Rocky's youngest child, Devon Aoki, was born in August 1982. Devon began her modeling career at the young age of 13 and has since established herself as one of the industry's top supermodels. She is married to James Bailey, a private equity analyst, and together they have four children.

Pamela also has a daughter named Ellie, who keeps a low profile and avoids public attention. She has, however, appeared in family photos shared by Pamela and Devon on Instagram. In December 2015, Devon posted a picture captioned, 'Eleanor and my baby sis.'

Pamela's youngest son, Cole, is another private individual. A glimpse into his Instagram account, @cold.jackson, reveals his passion for art and creativity.

Pamela Hilburger's Relationship with Her Children

Pamela Hilburger shares a strong and loving bond with her children. She has openly expressed her affection for them on social media. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she shared a picture of her son Kyle, captioning it with, 'I love you, son.'

Likewise, she has dedicated posts to her youngest son, Cole, expressing her love in the caption:

I love you, Cole! @cold.jackson #youngestson

Pamela also treasures her relationship with Devon, her internationally renowned daughter. Devon, in return, has often celebrated her mother on special occasions. For Mother’s Day 2020, Devon shared a touching Sanskrit poem on Instagram, dedicating it to Pamela:

Happy Mother's Day! Although I conquer all the earth - Yet for me there is only one city - In that city there is for me only one house - And in that house, one room only - And in that room, a bed - And one woman sleeps there - The shining joy and jewel of all my kingdom - You are my jewel mom! I love you- Sanskrit Poem

Pamela also has a close relationship with her eldest daughter, Echo. In March 2017, she shared an Instagram post of the two of them together, captioning it:

My firstborn girl, Echo. I love you, my darling @echoaoki

Her youngest daughter, Ellie, is no exception to Pamela’s affection. In April 2017, Pamela posted a picture of Ellie with a heartwarming caption: 'My baby girl is all grown up.'

Where is Pamela Hilburger Today?

Pamela Hilburger has chosen to live a quieter life away from the public eye. However, her Instagram account offers glimpses into her role as a doting grandmother. She cherishes her time with her grandchildren, who bring her immense joy. Pamela currently resides in California, where she enjoys her family-focused lifestyle.

FAQs

Although Pamela Hilburger rarely appears in the public spotlight, her name remains prominent in discussions about the Aoki family. Here are some frequently asked questions about her and the Aoki family:

Who is Devon Aoki's Dad?

Devon Aoki's father was the late Rocky Aoki, the visionary founder of the Benihana restaurant chain. Rocky once expressed his deep admiration for Devon, describing her as his favorite daughter. He fondly shared a memorable sentiment:

She always does the right thing. She says, 'You sure?' I say, 'No problem.' She says, 'He's half-black, half-Jewish.' I say, 'That's okay … That's America!' She's my favorite, very smart.

Who Did Rocky Aoki Leave His Money To?

Rocky Aoki's estate was initially left to his third wife, Keiko. However, following a lengthy legal battle, his children regained control of a $50 million inheritance in 2014. Despite this victory, Keiko remains the trustee of the estate. Court documents reveal that the children can only access their trust funds upon turning 45.

Though Pamela Hilburger has chosen to remain away from the limelight, her legacy endures through her children and grandchildren. Notably, she has not been involved in the legal disputes over the Aoki family fortune.

READ ALSO: Meet Eleanor Talitha Bailey, the daughter of Devon Aoki and James Bailey

Site highlights lesser-known facts about Eleanor Talitha Bailey, who bears a remarkable resemblance to her mother, Devon Aoki. Eleanor is Devon’s third child with her husband, James Bailey.

Eleanor is already following in her mother’s footsteps as a model, having appeared on the covers of major fashion magazines. Discover more about this rising star and her journey in the world of modeling.