Pamela Hilburger is a jewelry designer and the mother of supermodel and actress Devon Aoki, known for living a life that combines art, family, and cultural diversity. Born in Germany in 1951 to parents of German and English heritage, she later married Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, the founder of the Benihana restaurant chain, which connected her to one of the most well-known families in fashion and entertainment. While her daughter Devon achieved worldwide fame, Pamela focused on her own creative path, building a career in jewelry design and raising five children with dedication and resilience. Her story reflects the power of creativity, heritage, and quiet influence in shaping both her own legacy and the success of her family.
Quick Bio
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pamela Hilburger |
| Birth Year | 1951 |
| Birthplace | Germany |
| Nationality | German-American |
| Ethnicity | German-English |
| Religion | Christian |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Eye Color | Green |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Profession | Jewelry Designer |
| Known For | Mother of Devon Aoki, Ex-wife of Rocky Aoki |
| Ex-Spouse | Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki (m.1981–1991) |
| Children | Kyle, Echo, Devon, Ellie, Cole |
| Current Residence | Canoga Park, California |
| Age (2025) | Around 74 years old |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Early Life and Background
Pamela Hilburger was born in 1951 in Germany. Her early years were shaped by her parents’ different cultural backgrounds—her father, Edwin Hilburger, was German, and her mother, Rosa, had English roots. Growing up with six siblings in a lively household meant she was always surrounded by family values, traditions, and a constant exchange of ideas. Her siblings were Mark, Valerie, Larry, Derek, and Richard, and together they created an environment that encouraged creativity. Pamela once shared that her family always pushed her to explore art and design, a seed that later grew into her career as a jewelry designer. This mix of German and English heritage gave her a unique identity from the start, and she carried these cultural influences throughout her personal and professional life.
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How Old is Pamela Hilburger?
Pamela Hilburger was born in 1951, which makes her about 74 years old in 2025. Even in her seventies, she continues to stay active, spending much of her time with her children and grandchildren while still creating custom jewelry pieces for select clients. Her age has not slowed her down; instead, it shows her resilience and dedication to living a creative and family-centered life.
Pamela Hilburger’s Looks and Style
Pamela Hilburger is about 5 feet 5 inches tall (165 cm) and is known for her green eyes and brown hair, features that reflect her natural charm. In her younger years, her body measurements were once noted as 33-23-34, though she has never sought attention for her appearance. Instead, she is admired for her graceful presence and quiet confidence. Her style combines European elegance with a soft, romantic touch, which also shows in her jewelry designs and the way she carries herself.
Pamela Hilburger’s Career in Jewelry Design
Pamela Hilburger built a respected career as a jewelry designer starting in the late 1980s, creating pieces that reflect her multicultural heritage and love for art. Her designs are known for their fine details, blending German precision with English romantic flair, making them both unique and timeless. Over the years, she has collaborated with fashion houses, designed for private clients, and gained recognition among collectors and industry experts. While she has never sought mainstream fame, her work has been admired for more than three decades, and even today she continues to design custom pieces from her studio in California for loyal clients who appreciate her craftsmanship.
Marriage to Rocky Aoki
Her personal life took a dramatic turn when she became involved with Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, a Japanese-American entrepreneur who founded the Benihana restaurant chain. Their relationship began controversially, as Rocky was still married to his first wife when Pamela came into his life. The situation came to light after Rocky suffered a serious speedboat accident in 1979, and both women showed up at the hospital at the same time. Eventually, Rocky divorced his first wife, and in 1981, he married Pamela. Their marriage lasted a decade before ending in 1991. Although the marriage did not last, it was a significant chapter in Pamela’s life, one that exposed her to Japanese culture and brought her three children.
Who Is Rocky Aoki?
Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki was a Japanese-American entrepreneur best known as the founder of the Benihana restaurant chain, which introduced teppanyaki-style dining to the United States. Born in Tokyo in 1938, he moved to New York in the 1960s, where he opened the first Benihana in 1964 using savings and a small loan. The restaurant became a huge success for its unique mix of food and entertainment, turning Rocky into a well-known businessman. Beyond restaurants, he was also an adventurous personality, involved in powerboat racing, ballooning, and even wrestling. He married three times and had several children, including world-famous DJ Steve Aoki and model Devon Aoki. Rocky Aoki passed away in 2008, but his legacy continues through his family and the international success of Benihana.
Pamela Hilburger’s Children
Kyle Aoki
Kyle Aoki is the eldest son of Pamela Hilburger and Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, and unlike some of his siblings, he has chosen to live a very private life away from the spotlight. Born in the mid-1970s, Kyle grew up surrounded by the success of his father’s Benihana empire and the creative influence of his mother, but he has kept his personal and professional life out of public view. While not much is known about his career or daily activities, what stands out is that Kyle values privacy and family over fame, which reflects the quieter side of the Aoki family story.
Echo V. Aoki
Echo V. Aoki is the daughter of Pamela Hilburger and Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, and like her brother Kyle, she has lived most of her life away from the public eye. Born in the late 1970s, Echo grew up in the unique and diverse Aoki family, surrounded by both Japanese and European cultural influences. Unlike her sister Devon, who pursued a career in modeling and acting, Echo has chosen a quieter lifestyle and rarely appears in the media. Despite keeping her personal life private, her close bond with her mother is clear, as Pamela has shared loving messages about her on social media, showing the strong family connection they continue to share.
Devon Aoki
Devon Aoki, born on August 10, 1982, is the daughter of Pamela Hilburger and Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, and she is best known as a model and actress who rose to international fame in her teens. With her unique blend of Japanese and European heritage, she became a standout in the fashion world, working with top brands such as Versace, Chanel, and Balenciaga, and she also appeared in films like 2 Fast 2 Furious and Sin City.
After years of success, she stepped away from full-time modeling in 2009 to focus on her family life with her husband, James Bailey, and their four children, though she still occasionally returns for special projects. Devon often credits her mother, Pamela, for inspiring and supporting her creative journey, highlighting the close bond they share.
Ellie Aoki (Ellie Stuart Hunter)
Ellie is one of Pamela’s children from another relationship. While she does not live in the public eye, she is sometimes mentioned in connection with the extended Aoki family. She prefers a private life and is not as widely known as her half-siblings.
Cole Aoki (Cole Jackson)
Cole is Pamela’s youngest son from another relationship and is active on social media under the name @cold.jackson. He shares parts of his personal life online and appears to enjoy creative expression, much like his mother. Cole maintains a loving connection with Pamela, and she has posted affectionate messages about him in the past.
Pamela and Devon Aoki’s Bond
Pamela Hilburger and her daughter Devon Aoki share a very close and loving bond that has shaped Devon’s life and career. Pamela’s background in art and design gave Devon the creative support she needed to start modeling at just 13 years old, and by 16, she was already the face of Versace. Throughout Devon’s rise in fashion and film, Pamela remained her guide and support system, helping her stay grounded. Devon has openly expressed gratitude to her mother, and in 2020, she posted a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute with a Sanskrit poem, calling Pamela the shining jewel of her life, which shows how strong and inspiring their relationship is.
Cultural Heritage and Identity
Cultural heritage has always been a strong influence in Pamela’s life. Being born German-English, living in the United States, and marrying into a Japanese-American family, she has always embraced multiple traditions. This fusion of cultures not only shaped her family life but also deeply inspired her jewelry designs. Her work often reflects a blending of traditions, whether through motifs, patterns, or overall artistic direction. Her multicultural family also gave her children a unique upbringing, one that celebrated diversity and opened doors to global opportunities. Devon’s success in modeling can partly be attributed to this unique cultural combination, something that Pamela helped nurture from the beginning.
Philanthropy and Values
Pamela has also quietly contributed to philanthropy. Although she never sought publicity for her efforts, it is said that she donated part of her divorce settlement to causes such as tsunami relief efforts in Asia. Guided by her Christian faith, Pamela’s approach to giving has always been private and sincere. She believes in helping without expecting attention or recognition, which is consistent with the way she has lived her life overall. In a world where public figures often use charity for image-building, Pamela’s low-profile kindness reflects her genuine values.
Current Life
Today, at the age of around 74, Pamela lives in Canoga Park, California. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, including Devon’s four children, with her husband, James Bailey. She continues to design jewelry, though on a smaller scale, focusing mostly on custom pieces for loyal clients who appreciate her work. Pamela also maintains a quiet social media presence, occasionally posting heartfelt messages to her children. For example, in 2017, she posted a message to her daughter, Echo, calling her “my firstborn girl,” which shows her deep love and family-centered priorities. Unlike many who are connected to celebrities, Pamela values privacy, choosing a simple life over the temptation of public fame.
Legacy and Impact
The legacy of Pamela Hilburger is one that cannot be measured only in terms of career success. While her jewelry designs have earned respect and her creative spirit has made her known within the fashion industry, her biggest legacy lies in her family. Her guidance helped shape the path of Devon Aoki, who became one of the most distinctive faces of international fashion. Beyond that, her resilience in the face of challenges, her commitment to her values, and her ability to live gracefully without needing constant recognition all make her story an inspiring one.
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Interesting Facts
There are also some interesting facts about Pamela that show more about who she is as a person. She is not only a jewelry designer but also a painter, expressing her creativity in different forms. Her love for travel has also been a strong influence, giving her exposure to cultures around the world and further shaping her designs. Even after her divorce and other challenges, she continued building her career and raising her children, proving her strength and independence. Despite being surrounded by fame through her family, she has chosen to live a modest and private life.
Pamela Hilburger’s Net Worth
Pamela Hilburger’s exact net worth has never been publicly shared, but it is clear that she has lived a comfortable life through her long career as a jewelry designer and her past marriage to Benihana founder Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki. Unlike many connected to celebrity families, Pamela has never focused on wealth or fame, choosing instead to keep her financial matters private. Today, she continues to design custom jewelry for select clients while enjoying family life in California, showing that her priorities remain centered on creativity and loved ones rather than public recognition of her earnings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pamela Hilburger is much more than just “Devon Aoki’s mom” or “Rocky Aoki’s ex-wife.” She is a creative force who carved her own path as a respected jewelry designer, a strong woman who raised five children, and an individual who embraced cultural diversity in both her life and her work. Her influence on the worlds of fashion and art, as well as her quiet but powerful role as a mother, make her a remarkable woman worth remembering. Her story teaches us that you don’t need to live in the spotlight to have an impact, and sometimes the most powerful legacies are built through creativity, love, and resilience.
FAQs About Pamela Hilburger
1. Who is Pamela Hilburger?
Pamela Hilburger is a German-American jewelry designer, best known as the mother of supermodel and actress Devon Aoki and the former wife of Benihana founder Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki.
2. How old is Pamela Hilburger?
Pamela Hilburger was born in 1951, which makes her about 74 years old in 2025.
3. What does Pamela Hilburger do for a living?
She is a jewelry designer who has created custom pieces for private clients and collaborated with fashion houses for over three decades.
4. Who was Pamela Hilburger married to?
Pamela was married to Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, the Japanese-American entrepreneur who founded the Benihana restaurant chain, from 1981 to 1991.
5. How many children does Pamela Hilburger have?
Pamela is the mother of five children: Kyle, Echo, and Devon with Rocky Aoki, and Ellie and Cole from other relationships.
6. Where does Pamela Hilburger live now?
She currently lives in Canoga Park, California, where she spends time with her children and grandchildren while continuing her jewelry work.
7. What is Pamela Hilburger’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly known, but she has lived a comfortable life through her jewelry career and past marriage, focusing more on family and creativity than wealth.
