Hilary Duff Biography: Early Life, Lizzie McGuire, Music, Family and Latest Projects

Hilary Duff is an American actress, singer, author, producer and businesswoman who became one of the best-known young stars of the 2000s through Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire. Born in Houston, Texas, on September 28, 1987, Duff began performing as a child before becoming a major teen star through television, film and pop music. She later moved into more adult roles, including Kelsey Peters in Younger and Sophie in Hulu's How I Met Your Father. After spending about a decade away from releasing a full studio album, she returned to music in 2026 with luck... or something, her sixth studio album. She has also returned to regular live performance through the lucky me tour, while 2026 has brought new recognition including a place on TIME's TIME100 list and a new Reebok ambassador partnership.

Summary

• Full name: Hilary Erhard Duff
• Date of birth: September 28, 1987
• Current age: 38 as of September 25, 2026
• Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actress, singer-songwriter, author, producer and businesswoman
• Years active: 1990s–present
• Sister: Haylie Duff
• Major breakthrough: Lizzie McGuire
• Major film roles: The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Cheaper by the Dozen, A Cinderella Story, Raise Your Voice, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Material Girls
• Major TV roles: Lizzie McGuire in Lizzie McGuire, Kelsey Peters in Younger, Sophie in How I Met Your Father
• Major music albums: Metamorphosis, Hilary Duff, Dignity, Breathe In. Breathe Out., luck... or something
• Current relationship: Married to musician Matthew Koma
• Children: Four — Luca, Banks, Mae and Townes
• Major 2026 development: Release of luck... or something and her return to major touring
• Current tour: the lucky me tour, with additional dates announced for 2027
• 2026 recognition: Named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026

Early Life and Childhood

Hilary Erhard Duff was born on September 28, 1987, in Houston, Texas. She was the younger daughter of Robert Erhard Duff and Susan Duff and grew up with her older sister, Haylie. Her father was involved in a Texas convenience-store business, while her mother later became involved in film and music production.

Hilary and Haylie became interested in performing while they were still young. Their mother encouraged both girls to take ballet, singing and acting lessons. The sisters also appeared in local theatrical productions. One of their early stage experiences came through BalletMet Columbus' production of The Nutcracker Suite in San Antonio when Hilary was about six years old.

The girls eventually became serious about pursuing entertainment professionally. In 1993, Hilary, Haylie and their mother moved to California while their father remained in Texas to continue running his business. The sisters auditioned for commercials and acting opportunities as their mother helped manage their early careers.

Hilary's childhood therefore looked very different from that of a typical school student. Her acting work grew quickly, and she was homeschooled from around the age of eight. In a 2026 appearance on the Table Manners podcast, Duff looked back at that period and said she had received essentially "zero education," explaining that her work as a child performer left little room for ordinary schooling. She said she eventually developed her knowledge through reading, curiosity and teaching herself about subjects that interested her.

Her comments also showed how differently she approaches education with her own children. Duff has said she values the education her children are receiving and sometimes learns from her oldest son, Luca.

A Childhood Focused on Performance

Duff's early years in entertainment involved much more than acting. She was exposed to ballet, singing, commercials, television auditions and theater. These experiences helped her become comfortable performing in front of cameras and audiences long before Lizzie McGuire made her internationally famous.

Her older sister Haylie also became an actress and singer, making the two sisters important parts of each other's early careers. Their shared experience gave Hilary an unusually close connection to the entertainment business from a very young age.

Education

Hilary Duff's education followed an unusual path because her acting career started when she was still a child.

She was homeschooled from around age eight, allowing her to continue working while avoiding a conventional school schedule. However, Duff's own 2026 comments suggest that the amount of formal education she received was very limited. During the Table Manners interview, she described her homeschooling as "barely" an education and said her mother had encouraged her to obtain a GED. Reports following the interview have differed over whether she ultimately completed that credential, so that point should not be presented as settled fact without qualification.

Duff did not build her career through a traditional university education. Instead, much of her learning as a young adult came through work, reading and personal interests. Her experience is especially notable because she entered one of the world's most demanding entertainment industries at an age when most people are still spending most of their time in classrooms.

Beginning of Career

Duff's professional acting career began with small opportunities before she became a leading child star.

She appeared in the 1997 miniseries True Women, followed by other early screen work. Her first major movie role came with Casper Meets Wendy in 1998, in which she played Wendy, a young witch. That performance established her as a recognizable young performer and gave her more opportunities.

In 1999, she appeared in the television movie The Soul Collector. Her work in the project led to a Young Artist Award win for supporting young actress.

Duff also appeared in television productions including Chicago Hope and was briefly involved with the sitcom Daddio. Although the latter did not become her breakthrough, the experience was followed by a life-changing opportunity: Lizzie McGuire.

Breakthrough: Lizzie McGuire

Hilary Duff's career changed dramatically when she was cast as the lead character in Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire.

The series premiered in 2001 and followed Lizzie, a young teenager dealing with school, friendship, family and the everyday problems of growing up. Duff's performance made the character strongly associated with her public image, and the show turned her into a major Disney star.

The series became important not only because of its television audience but also because Disney expanded the franchise into movies, music, merchandise and books. The Lizzie McGuire Movie, released in 2003, took the character to Rome and became another major part of Duff's rise.

The role also introduced Duff to a much wider international audience. She became a teen celebrity whose career extended beyond television into feature films and music.

The success of Lizzie McGuire was followed by recognitions including Family Television Awards, a Gracie Award and multiple children's and teen awards.

Major Career

From Disney Star to Movie Actress

After Lizzie McGuire, Duff moved quickly into feature films.

She appeared in Cadet Kelly in 2002, one of Disney Channel's better-known original movies. In 2003, she had roles in The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Agent Cody Banks and Cheaper by the Dozen. These films helped establish her as a commercially recognizable young actress outside Disney Channel television.

In 2004, Duff starred in A Cinderella Story, playing Sam Montgomery, a teenager balancing school life, family problems and a romantic relationship. The movie became one of her most recognizable projects and remains one of the titles most closely connected with her early film career.

She followed it with Raise Your Voice, The Perfect Man and later Cheaper by the Dozen 2. She also appeared alongside her sister Haylie in Material Girls.

As she grew older, Duff began taking roles that were farther removed from her Disney image. Projects such as War, Inc., According to Greta, Bloodworth and The Haunting of Sharon Tate showed her exploring different types of characters and more mature material.

Music Career

Music became another major part of Duff's career.

She began building her music identity with Santa Claus Lane in 2002 before releasing Metamorphosis in 2003. The album became a major commercial success, with songs such as "So Yesterday" and "Come Clean" becoming closely associated with her pop career. Metamorphosis later received a four-times-platinum RIAA certification.

Duff followed it with the self-titled Hilary Duff in 2004, Most Wanted in 2005 and Dignity in 2007. Dignity represented a shift toward a more dance-oriented pop sound and included "With Love," which became one of her best-known singles.

Her 2015 album, Breathe In. Breathe Out., was her fifth studio album before the long gap that followed. It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.

Younger

In 2015, Duff entered another important chapter when she joined Younger, the comedy-drama created by Darren Star.

She played Kelsey Peters, a young publishing executive working alongside Sutton Foster's Liza Miller. Kelsey was ambitious, competitive and career-focused, and the role allowed Duff to present a more adult version of herself on television.

The series ran from 2015 to 2021 across seven seasons. Duff remained a major member of the ensemble throughout its run.

How I Met Your Father

Duff next became the central star of Hulu's How I Met Your Father, playing Sophie.

The series premiered in January 2022 and was a spin-off of How I Met Your Mother. Duff also served as a producer on the show. The series ran for two seasons before Hulu canceled it in 2023.

Although the series was relatively short-lived, the role marked another step in Duff's transition from child and teen star to adult television lead and producer.

Returning to Music in 2025–2026

Duff's next major career move was unexpected for some fans: a return to music after approximately a decade without releasing a new full-length studio album.

In November 2025, she announced luck... or something, her sixth studio album, with "Mature" as the lead single. Atlantic Records announced the album for February 20, 2026.

The album was created with her husband, musician and songwriter Matthew Koma. Apple Music describes the record as dealing with personal subjects including relationships, family, growing older and the experience of looking back at earlier parts of her life.

The album was released on February 20, 2026, and became a significant part of Duff's return to music. It reached No. 3 on the UK Official Albums Chart update and No. 5 on the full UK Albums Chart, according to Official Charts.

Duff also released (Mine) in 2026, a collection of newly rerecorded versions of several of her older songs, including "Come Clean" and "What Dreams Are Made Of."

Major Movies and TV Shows

Duff's film and television work covers childhood roles, teen comedies, romantic movies, independent films and adult television.

Duff's major screen credits and career progression are documented by Biography.com, Hulu, Paramount and entertainment databases.

Personal Life

Family

Family has remained a major part of Duff's public life.

Her older sister is actress and performer Haylie Duff. The sisters started performing together as children and later appeared together in Material Girls. Hilary's early career was closely connected to her sister and their mother, Susan.

Duff has four children.

Her oldest child, Luca Cruz Comrie, was born in March 2012 during her marriage to former professional hockey player Mike Comrie. She later had three daughters with Matthew Koma: Banks Violet, born in 2018; Mae James, born in 2021; and Townes Meadow, born in 2024.

By 2026, Duff had openly described motherhood as one of the most important parts of her life. Her family has also become part of her professional life, with Koma serving as a major collaborator on her new music and the children accompanying her family at different points during the 2026 tour.

Relationships

Duff married NHL player Mike Comrie in August 2010. They welcomed Luca in 2012 and announced their separation in 2014. Their divorce was finalized in 2016, and they continued to share parenting responsibilities for their son.

Duff's relationship with Matthew Koma began through music. They first worked together during sessions connected with her Breathe In. Breathe Out. era. The relationship later became romantic, and they married in December 2019 in a small ceremony at Duff's home in Los Angeles.

Koma has become both Duff's husband and a significant creative partner. He helped write and produce luck... or something, making the 2026 album particularly connected to their shared life and musical work.

Lifestyle and Personality

Duff's public image has changed substantially over time. She first became known as a teenage Disney star, but her adult career has increasingly reflected her roles as a mother, performer, author, producer and businesswoman.

In 2026 interviews, she spoke openly about growing up in the entertainment business, her unusual education and the challenge of balancing family life with work. During the Table Manners interview, she also discussed how much she enjoys reading and learning independently.

Her 2026 music also shows a more personal approach to songwriting. TIME reported that Duff saw the new album as a way of reflecting honestly on the decade since her previous record and the changes in her life.

Friends and Professional Relationships

Duff has worked with a long list of performers, writers, producers and directors throughout her career.

Important professional relationships include Darren Star, creator of Younger, as well as the casts of Younger and How I Met Your Father. Her collaboration with Matthew Koma has become especially important in the latest stage of her music career.

Philanthropy, Charity and Causes

Duff began participating in charitable causes while she was still a young star.

One of her longstanding causes has been support for children and families. She was involved with Kids With A Cause and has also supported initiatives connected to children's welfare, food insecurity and youth programs.

Duff also became associated with Blessings in a Backpack, a program focused on providing food to children who may not have enough to eat on weekends. She participated in fundraising and public-awareness work around the program and traveled to Bogotá in 2009 as part of an initiative involving food support for children.

Her charitable involvement has also included animal welfare. She was linked with Return to Freedom, an organization focused on wild-horse protection, and has supported other youth, humanitarian and animal-related causes over the years.

Duff has also participated in campaigns encouraging respectful language among young people. Her philanthropic record is largely connected to children, hunger relief, youth support and animal welfare.

Awards and Nominations

Hilary Duff has received numerous awards and nominations, particularly during the peak of her Disney and teen-pop career. The exact number of career wins varies across databases because some organizations count ensemble awards, regional awards and shared honors differently. Notable verified recognitions include the following.

The recognition surrounding Lizzie McGuire was especially significant because the show and Duff were repeatedly recognized by children's and family-focused award organizations during the series' successful run.

Latest Career Developments

Hilary Duff's biggest career story in 2026 has been her return to music.

luck... or something

Released on February 20, 2026, luck... or something marked Duff's first studio album in more than ten years. It is her sixth studio album and was released through Atlantic Records.

The album was produced largely by Matthew Koma and Brian Phillips, with Duff taking a more personal role in writing the songs. TIME described the album as an unusually open reflection on what happened during the years between her previous album and her return to music.

The project also brought her back to the stage.

The Lucky Me Tour

In February 2026, Live Nation announced the lucky me tour, Duff's first full-scale global headline tour in almost two decades. The tour includes major venues such as Madison Square Garden, the Kia Forum and London's O2.

Duff had already returned to live performance through her intimate Small Rooms, Big Nerves shows earlier in 2026. Those performances marked her first headline concert appearances in more than a decade.

2027 Tour Extension

On September 23, 2026, Live Nation announced that the lucky me tour had been expanded with 32 additional dates across Europe, Latin America and the United States. The new international leg is scheduled to begin in Madrid on May 7, 2027, while the added U.S. dates are scheduled for October and November 2027.

This makes touring the clearest confirmed major continuing project in Duff's career as of September 25, 2026.

TIME100 Recognition

In 2026, TIME named Duff one of its 100 Most Influential People of the year. She appeared in the Icons category, with Nicole Richie writing the TIME tribute about her. Duff also appeared at the TIME100 Summit in April, where she discussed her career, her connection with fans and her return to music.

Reebok Partnership

Duff also entered a new commercial chapter in 2026 when Reebok named her a brand ambassador for its "Unfiltered & Unstoppable" campaign. The partnership was announced in August and expanded her work beyond acting and music into a major global lifestyle brand relationship.

Current Projects

As of the September 25, 2026 research cutoff, there is no major new film or television acting project that can be confidently listed as an officially announced current Duff production from the sources reviewed. Her confirmed work is concentrated on music, touring and commercial partnerships.

Net Worth

Several entertainment websites estimate Hilary Duff's net worth at about $25 million in 2026, with Celebrity Net Worth giving that figure in a May 2026 update. However, this should be treated as an estimate rather than an audited financial fact. Duff's actual assets, investments, contracts, property values, royalties and private business arrangements are not publicly available in a complete financial statement.

Her income over the years has come from several areas, including acting, music, publishing, business partnerships, endorsements and touring. Her return to touring and music in 2026 adds another major source of professional activity.

Career Highlights

Why Hilary Duff Stands Out

Hilary Duff's career is unusual because she did not remain in only one part of entertainment.

She became famous through a children's television series, moved into feature films, launched a successful pop career, became an author and producer, built business partnerships and later returned to adult television.

Her biggest challenge was also part of what shaped her career: she became famous very young. Instead of remaining tied only to the image of a Disney teenager, she gradually moved into projects designed for older audiences.

Her work on Younger was especially important in that transition. Kelsey Peters was very different from Lizzie McGuire and gave Duff the opportunity to play a confident adult character in a workplace comedy-drama. Later, How I Met Your Father gave her another adult lead role while also allowing her to work as a producer.

Her music career also followed several different stages. Metamorphosis represented her early-2000s pop success, while Dignity showed a more mature musical direction. More than a decade later, luck... or something approached music from the perspective of an adult woman, wife and mother reflecting on the years between albums.

That long career also helps explain why she remains closely connected with audiences who first knew her as Lizzie McGuire but have continued following her into adulthood.

Legacy and Career Impact

Hilary Duff's career impact so far is closely tied to the transition from child entertainment to adult entertainment.

For Disney viewers of the early 2000s, Lizzie McGuire became one of the defining youth television shows of its period. Duff's performance created a character who was recognizable to a generation of young viewers, while the franchise itself demonstrated how children's television could extend into music, film and merchandise.

Her film work helped turn that television recognition into mainstream movie visibility, while her music career gave her a second route to international popularity.

As an adult performer, Younger and How I Met Your Father helped separate Duff from the image of being only a former child star. Her later work also included books, business ventures, producing and brand partnerships.

Her 2026 return to music adds another chapter rather than simply repeating the career she had as a teenager. TIME's decision to include her in the 2026 TIME100 reflects the continuing cultural recognition surrounding her long career.

At 38, Duff remains an active performer rather than a retired former teen star. Her current chapter is defined largely by music, touring, motherhood, business and the relationship she has built with audiences over more than two decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Hilary Duff?

Hilary Duff is 38 years old as of September 25, 2026. She was born on September 28, 1987, meaning she will turn 39 on September 28, 2026.

Where was Hilary Duff born?

She was born in Houston, Texas, United States.

What is Hilary Duff best known for?

She is best known for playing Lizzie McGuire in Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire and The Lizzie McGuire Movie. She is also known for A Cinderella Story, Younger, How I Met Your Father and her music career.

Is Hilary Duff married?

Yes. Hilary Duff is married to musician and songwriter Matthew Koma. They married in December 2019.

Does Hilary Duff have children?

Yes. She has four children: Luca, Banks, Mae and Townes. Luca is from her previous marriage to Mike Comrie, while Banks, Mae and Townes are her children with Matthew Koma.

Who is Hilary Duff's husband?

Her husband is musician and songwriter Matthew Koma. The two have also worked together professionally, including on Duff's 2026 album luck... or something.

What movies has Hilary Duff appeared in?

Some of her best-known films include Casper Meets Wendy, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Agent Cody Banks, Cheaper by the Dozen, A Cinderella Story, Raise Your Voice, The Perfect Man, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Material Girls, War, Inc., According to Greta, Bloodworth and The Haunting of Sharon Tate.

What TV shows has Hilary Duff appeared in?

Her major television roles include Lizzie McGuire, Younger and How I Met Your Father. She also appeared in earlier television productions such as True Women, The Soul Collector and Chicago Hope.

What awards has Hilary Duff won?

Among her notable awards are a Young Artist Award, Family Television Awards, a Gracie Award, Teen Choice recognition and Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Award databases differ in how they count shared and regional honors, so total career-win figures can vary.

What is Hilary Duff's latest album?

Her latest studio album is luck... or something, released on February 20, 2026. It is her sixth studio album and her first full-length studio album in more than a decade.

What is Hilary Duff working on now?

As of September 25, 2026, Duff is actively touring with the lucky me tour following the release of luck... or something. On September 23, Live Nation announced 32 additional tour dates for 2027. She also has a new Reebok ambassador partnership.

Is Hilary Duff still acting?

Hilary Duff remains an actress, but her most visible confirmed professional work in 2026 is music and touring. Her latest major television series, How I Met Your Father, ended in 2023, and no major new acting production was confirmed in the sources reviewed for this September 2026 update.

What happened to the Lizzie McGuire reboot?

A planned Disney+ Lizzie McGuire revival was announced in 2019 but was ultimately canceled. Duff confirmed in December 2020 that the reboot would not happen.

References

TIME — The 100 Most Influential People of 2026 TIME100 2026

TIME — Hilary Duff on the 'Extreme Honesty' of Her First New Album in a Decade TIME interview with Hilary Duff

Atlantic Records — luck... or something announcement Atlantic Records announcement

Live Nation — the lucky me tour Live Nation tour announcement

Live Nation — 2027 tour expansion Live Nation September 2026 update

Hulu Press — Hilary Duff biography Hulu Press biography

Hulu Press — How I Met Your Father Hulu Press series page

Paramount+ — Younger final season Paramount+ series information

Official Charts — Hilary Duff chart history Official Charts Hilary Duff

Biography.com — Hilary Duff biography Biography.com Hilary Duff