Richards was born in Hollywood, California, the daughter of Kenneth Edwin Richards (1917 - 1998) and Sharon Kathleen (née Dugan; 1938 — died of breast cancer in 2002). The couple separated in 1972 and Kathleen later remarried. Richards' siblings are the actresses Kathy Richards (born 1959) and Kim Richards (born 1964). Socialites Nicky and Paris Hilton are her nieces, daughters of her sister, Kathy.