The Hills Legacy: 5 Surprising Facts About Amy Baier’s Father, Paul Hills, And His Impact On The Baier Family

Contents

The family foundation built by Amy Baier’s parents is far more extensive than many realize, extending beyond a simple Chicago upbringing into the worlds of high finance and major philanthropy. As of the current date, December 12, 2025, the name Paul Hills is intrinsically linked not only to his daughter, the prominent philanthropist and wife of Fox News anchor Bret Baier, but also to a powerful legacy of business acumen and a deep commitment to children’s health, particularly following a personal family crisis.

Amy Baier, a well-known health advocate and social figure, frequently credits her grounded strength to her upbringing in a close-knit family environment in the Chicago suburbs. Her father, Paul Hills, along with her mother, Barbie Hills, instilled a set of values that prepared Amy for her later role as a mother, an advocate, and a partner in one of Washington D.C.'s most recognized political families. The depth of Paul Hills' career and his family's charitable work provides a compelling backdrop to the Baier family story.

Paul Hills: A Detailed Biographical Profile

Paul Hills is a highly successful American businessman, investor, and philanthropist, best known as the father of Amy Baier (née Hills) and the father-in-law of Fox News Chief Political Anchor Bret Baier. His life represents a significant achievement in the world of finance and private equity, coupled with a quiet, yet powerful, dedication to medical research and community support.

  • Full Name: Paul F. Hills
  • Spouse: Barbie Hills
  • Children: Amy Baier (née Hills), and three sons, including twin brother Daniel Hills, John Paul "J.P." Hills, and Timothy Hills.
  • Residence: Primarily associated with the Chicago suburbs (Barrington, IL) and Naples, FL.
  • Primary Occupation: Chairman of Hills Capital Management.
  • Key Business Affiliations: Hills Capital Management, MedShape (Former Director), Sage Products, Inc.
  • Grandchildren: Paul Francis Baier and Daniel Baier. (Paul Francis Baier is named after him).
  • Philanthropic Focus: Pediatric cardiac research and care, particularly at Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C.

1. The Chairman of Hills Capital Management: A Career in Finance

Paul Hills’ professional life is rooted in the competitive world of finance and investment. He is the Chairman of Hills Capital Management, LLC, an investment company focused on managing public and private investments. This role positions him as a key figure in the financial sector, operating out of the greater Chicago area, specifically Barrington, Illinois.

His business influence extends beyond his own firm. Hills has served as a Director at MedShape, a medical device company, demonstrating a keen interest in the healthcare industry, a field his daughter Amy would later dedicate her philanthropic efforts to. Furthermore, he has been connected to Sage Products, Inc., showcasing a broad portfolio of business interests that span various sectors.

This deep professional background in high-level finance provides the foundation for the family's significant resources and their ability to engage in large-scale philanthropy. The success of Paul Hills in the business world is a crucial, though often understated, element of the Hills family legacy.

2. The Foglia-Hills Professorship: A Powerful Philanthropic Legacy

The most public and profound aspect of Paul and Barbie Hills’ life in recent years is their dedication to pediatric cardiac care. This commitment is deeply personal. Their grandson, Paul Francis Baier (named after Paul Hills), was born with a complex congenital heart defect and required a major, complicated surgery just one day after his birth.

In response to the life-saving care their grandson received at Children's National Hospital (formerly Children's National Medical Center) in Washington D.C., Paul and Barbie Hills partnered with the Foglia Family to establish the Foglia-Hills Professorship in Pediatric Cardiac Research in 2014.

This professorship is a critical entity, ensuring that the hospital can attract and retain world-class leaders in the field of pediatric cardiac research. The establishment of such an endowment ensures a lasting impact on the lives of countless children beyond their own family. This act of generosity highlights a commitment to giving back that transcends typical charitable donations, focusing instead on structural, long-term scientific advancement.

3. A Family of Entrepreneurs: The Hills Brothers

Amy Baier often attributes her resilience and down-to-earth nature to growing up with three brothers in the Chicago suburbs. The Hills family is a true powerhouse of business and media professionals.

Paul Hills and Barbie Hills raised four successful children, all of whom have established impressive careers:

  • John Paul "J.P." Hills: Following in his father's footsteps in finance, J.P. Hills is a notable commercial banker, serving as a Senior Vice President and Commercial Market President at Busey Bank in the Chicago area.
  • Timothy Hills: He has carved out a successful career in media and production as the CEO and co-founder of Spiracle Media, a creative agency.
  • Daniel Hills: Amy’s twin brother, Daniel, maintains a lower public profile but is often mentioned in connection with the family’s close-knit nature and his residence in Naples, Florida, near other family members.

The success of the Hills siblings, spanning finance, media, and philanthropy, is a testament to the strong professional and ethical foundations laid by Paul and Barbie Hills during their upbringing in Illinois.

4. Grandfather’s Name, Grandson’s Courage: The Naming of Paul Francis Baier

The connection between Paul Hills and his grandson, Paul Francis Baier, is a deeply emotional one, solidified by the boy’s name. Bret and Amy Baier chose to name their first son after Amy’s father, Paul Hills, a traditional gesture that took on profound significance immediately after the child’s birth in 2007.

The decision to name their son Paul Francis was made before the diagnosis of his heart condition. The subsequent medical journey—detailed in Bret Baier’s book *Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage and Love*—created an unbreakable bond between the generations. The name Paul Francis Baier now symbolizes not only the grandfather’s legacy but also the grandson’s incredible courage and the family's collective journey of faith and hope through adversity.

This personal crisis became the catalyst for the Hills family’s major philanthropic efforts, turning a moment of despair into a lasting commitment to medical science, directly honoring the new generation named after Paul Hills.

5. The Retreat to Naples: A Shared Family Center

While the Hills family's roots are firmly planted in the Chicago suburbs, their current life and social network often center around Naples, Florida. Paul and Barbie Hills maintain a strong presence in the Naples community, which has become a secondary hub for the extended family.

The presence of Paul and Barbie Hills in Florida allows for a close, multi-generational family environment, frequently documented in social circles and local publications. This geographical shift reflects a common trend among successful Chicago-area business figures and ensures that the family remains tightly connected despite their children and in-laws having high-profile careers in different locations, like Washington D.C.

Paul Hills’ life, from his successful career as Chairman of Hills Capital Management to his profound philanthropic impact through the Foglia-Hills Professorship, is a powerful illustration of a legacy built on hard work, family values, and a deep sense of responsibility. His influence on Amy Baier’s life, both personally and through her commitment to children’s health advocacy, continues to shape the public profile of the Baier family.

amy baier father
amy baier father

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