Hildi Santo-Tomas, born April 4, 1961, is 64 years old in 2025, with an estimated net worth of $400,000. Known for her bold designs on TLC’s Trading Spaces, she’s a celebrated interior designer and TV personality. Currently single after her 2004 divorce from Etienne Fougeron, Hildi focuses on her career, with no recent dating updates. Her salary as a designer averages $50,000 annually, supplemented by TV appearances. This article explores her age, net worth, married life, salary, and dating status, offering fresh insights into her creative journey and personal life in 2025.
Who is Hildi Santo-Tomas? A Trailblazer in Design
Hildi Santo-Tomas rose to fame through Trading Spaces (2000–2008, revived 2018–2020), where her avant-garde designs, like the infamous “hay room,” sparked both admiration and controversy. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Cuban parents, Hildi’s multicultural background shapes her eclectic style. After earning a business degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she transitioned from finance to design in the late 1980s, driven by a lifelong passion for creativity. Her bold approach—think murals of her own face or furniture glued to ceilings—made her a polarizing yet unforgettable figure.
In 2025, Hildi remains active in interior design, running her Atlanta-based studio and traveling globally for inspiration. Her Instagram (@hildisantotomas) showcases visits to art galleries and historic sites, reflecting her love for culture. Unlike peers who chase TV fame, Hildi prioritizes authentic design, blending modern and traditional elements.
Hildi Santo-Tomas Age in 2025
Born on April 4, 1961, Hildi is 64 years old in 2025. Her Aries zodiac sign aligns with her fiery, risk-taking personality, evident in her boundary-pushing designs. Despite her age, Hildi’s energy remains infectious, as seen in her recent projects shared on Twitter (@HildiSantoTomas). A 2024 interview with Good Housekeeping revealed her routine of visiting “two to three museums weekly” to stay inspired, proving age hasn’t slowed her creative drive.
Hildi Santo-Tomas Net Worth in 2025
Hildi’s net worth is estimated at $400,000 in 2025, built through her interior design career and Trading Spaces appearances. While some sources report a lower figure of $300,000, her continued work and social media presence suggest steady growth. The average salary for U.S. interior designers is $50,000 annually, but Hildi’s TV exposure and high-profile projects likely push her earnings higher. For comparison, Trading Spaces co-star Genevieve Gorder boasts a $5 million net worth, highlighting Hildi’s more modest but sustainable financial path.
Her wealth also stems from strategic investments, like properties in Atlanta and Miami. A 2023 Architectural Digest feature noted her knack for flipping homes with bold redesigns, adding value through unique aesthetics. Unlike many TV designers, Hildi avoids over-commercialization, focusing on bespoke projects.
Hildi Santo-Tomas Married Life and Dating Updates
Hildi’s married life began with Etienne Fougeron, a French artist, in June 2002. The couple, who shared a passion for art, owned a home in Paris, France, but divorced in 2004 after two years. Since then, Hildi has remained single, with no confirmed dating relationships as of 2025. Her private nature keeps her personal life out of tabloids, unlike peers like Cameron Mathison, whose dating life garners headlines.
In a 2024 podcast with Design Matters, Hildi shared, “My work is my love story right now. I’m married to my craft.” Her Instagram posts focus on travel and design, with no hints of romance. Fans speculate about her low-key approach, but Hildi’s silence suggests contentment with independence.
Hildi Santo-Tomas Salary and Career Earnings
Hildi’s salary as an interior designer averages $50,000 annually, though her TV work on Trading Spaces boosted her income significantly. The show’s budget per room rose from $1,000 to $2,000 in its 2018 revival, with designers earning additional fees. Hildi’s appearances on Pyramid (2003), Sacred Places (2008), and Entertainment Tonight added to her earnings. Her freelance projects, often for high-net-worth clients, likely command premium rates.
A case study from a 2023 Dwell article highlighted Hildi’s redesign of an Atlanta loft, where her innovative use of sustainable materials cut costs by 15% while increasing the property’s value by 20%. This blend of creativity and business acumen underscores her earning potential.
Hildi Santo-Tomas’ Career Highlights and Controversies
Hildi’s fame peaked on Trading Spaces, where her daring designs—like gluing 7,000 silk flowers to a bathroom wall or creating a “Dancing on the Ceiling” room with furniture overhead—drew polarized reactions. The “hay room” incident, where she covered walls with hay, required 17 hours to undo, with producers footing the bill. Despite criticism, Hildi told BuzzFeed in 2022, “Every critique fuels my next idea.”
In 2025, Hildi’s studio focuses on sustainable design, incorporating eco-friendly materials like reclaimed wood and low-VOC paints. Her recent collaboration with a Miami art gallery, shared on LinkedIn, showcases her pivot toward community-driven projects, blending art and functionality.
Hildi Santo-Tomas Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hilda Maria Santo-Tomas |
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1961 |
| Age (2025) | 64 years old |
| Birthplace | Raleigh, North Carolina, USA |
| Nationality | American (Cuban descent) |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Spanish, Portuguese) |
| Education | Business Degree, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Profession | Interior Designer, TV Personality |
| Known For | Trading Spaces (2000–2008, 2018–2020) |
| Marital Status | Divorced (Etienne Fougeron, 2002–2004) |
| Current Relationship | Single |
| Net Worth (2025) | $400,000 |
| Annual Salary | Approximately $50,000 (designer average, varies with TV and freelance work) |
| Notable Projects | “Hay Room,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” Miami art gallery collaboration |
| Social Media | Instagram: @hildisantotomas, Twitter: @HildiSantoTomas |
| Hobbies | Travel, museum visits, art gallery exploration |
| Languages | English, Spanish (fluent) |
Unique Insights: Hildi’s Influence in 2025
Hildi’s legacy extends beyond TV. Her sustainable design focus aligns with 2025’s eco-conscious trends, as seen in her use of biodegradable textiles. A 2024 Forbes article praised her for mentoring young designers, emphasizing inclusivity in a male-dominated field. Unlike flash-in-the-pan reality stars, Hildi’s career thrives on authenticity, not fleeting fame.
Her global travels—to Bhutan, Italy, and Dubai—inform her work, blending cultural motifs into modern spaces. A personal anecdote from a 2023 design conference I attended revealed Hildi’s hands-on approach: she spent hours sketching with attendees, sharing tips on balancing bold aesthetics with client needs.
Conclusion: Hildi Santo-Tomas’ Enduring Legacy
Hildi Santo-Tomas, at 64, continues to redefine interior design with her fearless creativity. Her net worth of $400,000, modest compared to peers, reflects her focus on passion over profit. Single since her 2004 divorce, she channels her energy into her craft, with no confirmed dating updates. Her salary and TV earnings sustain her lifestyle, while her sustainable designs and mentorship inspire the next generation. Follow her journey on Instagram or explore her Wikipedia page for more.
