In February 2026, on a sunny beach in Turks and Caicos, Carter Reum got down on one knee — again. This time, with their two little kids Phoenix (3) and London (2) giggling beside them, he “re-proposed” to Paris Hilton under a fiery sunset. Paris said “yes again,” they renewed their vows, and the internet melted. For most people, this would be the headline of their life. But for Carter Reum, it’s just one beautiful chapter in a story that started far away from red carpets — in boardrooms, startup pitches, and a family that taught him how to build real empires.
At 45 years old in 2026, Carter Reum isn’t just “Paris Hilton’s husband.” He’s a Columbia-educated entrepreneur who quit Goldman Sachs, sold a vodka brand for millions, and co-founded M13 Ventures — a firm that now manages over $1.3 billion and has backed unicorns like Lyft, Pinterest, Warby Parker, and Ring. This is the story of a man who turned privilege into power, hustle into headlines, and love into legacy.
Born Into Wealth, But Built His Own Fire
Carter Milliken Reum was born on February 5, 1981, in a world most people only read about in Forbes. His father, Robert Reum, was the chairman, president, and CEO of Amsted Industries — one of America’s largest private companies. The family had money, connections, and expectations.
But Carter and his older brother Courtney didn’t just sit back and enjoy the ride. They watched their father build and lead, and that fire stuck. Growing up between Chicago and Los Angeles, the Reum brothers learned early: money is nice, but creating something from nothing is the real game.
After high school, Carter headed to Columbia University in New York. He graduated from Columbia College in 2003 and joined the legendary Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. College wasn’t just parties — it was where he started thinking like an investor. Right after graduation, he landed at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker. It was the classic “cushy job” — big bonuses, fancy suits, zero risk. Most people would have stayed forever.
Carter didn’t.
The Big Risk: Quitting Wall Street for Vodka
In 2007, Carter and Courtney did something crazy. They left Goldman Sachs and launched VEEV Spirits — a premium vodka infused with acai berries. At the time, it sounded like a wild idea. Who mixes superfood with alcohol? But the brothers had vision. They bootstrapped the brand, hustled night after night, and turned VEEV into one of the fastest-growing independent liquor companies in America.
By 2016, Inc. Magazine had listed VEEV among the 5000 fastest-growing private companies. Then came the jackpot — they sold the brand to Luxco for an estimated $100 million. Carter was still in his early 30s.
That exit didn’t make him retire. It lit the next fire.
M13 Ventures: Turning Ideas Into Unicorns
In 2016, the same year they sold VEEV, the Reum brothers founded M13 Ventures — a venture capital firm with a twist. Unlike traditional VCs who just write checks, M13 acts like co-founders. They have a “Propulsion team” of operators who help startups with growth, marketing, and execution. It’s operator-led investing at its finest.
Fast-forward to 2026: M13 manages over $1.3 billion in assets. The firm has backed massive winners including:
- Lyft
- Warby Parker
- Ring (sold to Amazon)
- Snapchat
- ClassPass
- Daily Harvest
- And even SpaceX in early days
M13 was ranked #14 in the 2023 HEC-Dow Jones Venture Capital Performance Ranking — one of only eight U.S. firms in the global top 20. Carter isn’t just investing money. He’s investing time, sweat, and real-world experience.
In 2018, the brothers turned their lessons into a bestseller: Shortcut Your Startup: Ten Ways to Speed Up Entrepreneurial Success. The book (published by Random House) is still recommended reading for young founders in 2026. It’s practical, no-BS advice from guys who actually built and exited companies.
The Romance That Changed Everything
For years, Carter moved in the same circles as Paris Hilton. They had known each other casually for over 15 years. Then, in 2019, at a family friend’s Thanksgiving dinner in the Hamptons, something clicked. Paris later said she kissed him first and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
February 2021: Carter proposed to Paris on her 40th birthday with a stunning ring designed by Jean Dousset (great-grandson of Louis Cartier). They got married on November 11, 2021, in a fairy-tale ceremony at her grandfather’s estate.
In January 2023, they welcomed son Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum via surrogate. In November 2023, daughter London Marilyn Hilton Reum arrived the same way. By early 2026, the family of four is everywhere — beach days, red carpets, and Paris’s 45th birthday family portraits that broke the internet.
Paris has openly called Carter her “twin flame.” In her 2026 documentary Infinite Icon, she says motherhood is “the most beautiful thing” she’s ever experienced — and credits Carter for giving her the safe, loving home she always wanted after her past trauma.
Carter, the quieter one, has stepped into the spotlight gracefully. He’s the stricter parent (according to Paris at the 2026 Pre-Grammy Gala), but also the one who surprised her with the romantic re-proposal on Valentine’s Day 2026.
Life in 2026: $55 Million Mansion, Family First
Today, Carter and Paris live in the $55 million estate they bought from Mark Wahlberg in 2023 — now lovingly called “Slivington Manor.” Carter still wakes up early, hits the cryochamber twice a day, and launches AI agents before bed (yes, he’s that guy).
His personal net worth is estimated between $20–50 million in 2026 (separate from Paris’s $300M+ empire and M13’s massive fund). But money was never the goal. Building, creating, and now raising the next generation is.
He serves on the board of LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and stays deeply involved in philanthropy.
Challenges, Lessons & The Reum Mindset
Carter has always said: “Try to lead from the back whenever possible.” Even with all the success, he admits Wall Street didn’t prepare him for the real grind of building VEEV. There were 8–9 years of blood, sweat, and doubt before the big exit.
His biggest lesson for 2026 entrepreneurs? Know your exit strategy early, surround yourself with operators, and never stop learning. In a world obsessed with quick hype, Carter Reum represents the old-school grind mixed with new-school vision.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for Carter Reum?
At 45, Carter shows no signs of slowing down. M13 is expanding into AI, climate tech, and health. He’s more involved than ever in Paris’s advocacy work against child abuse. And with two young kids, family will always come first.
Many predict M13 could hit $2 billion+ AUM by 2030. Carter might write another book, launch his own consumer brand again, or quietly keep building the next Lyft or Pinterest.
One thing is certain: the boy who grew up in privilege didn’t coast — he created his own path, found real love, and is now building a legacy that goes far beyond money.
Conclusion: More Than Just “Paris Hilton’s Husband”
Carter Reum proves that even if you start with advantages, true success comes from risk, resilience, and relationships. From Goldman Sachs to VEEV, from M13 to marriage with one of the most famous women in the world — he’s done it all on his own terms.
In 2026, while the world scrolls through their beach photos and re-proposal videos, Carter is quietly building the future — one startup, one family moment, and one smart investment at a time.
He didn’t just win the lottery. He built the entire casino.
