History of Heidi Fleiss in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 7, 2025

Heidi Fleiss, known as the "Hollywood Madam," ran a high-end prostitution ring in Los Angeles. Her activities garnered significant media attention in the 1990s. Beyond her involvement in the sex industry, Fleiss also worked as a columnist and television personality, becoming a recognizable figure in American pop culture during that era.

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Full Timeline

December 30, 1965: Heidi Fleiss's birth

On December 30, 1965, Heidi Lynne Fleiss was born. She would later become known as the "Hollywood Madam" for running an upscale prostitution ring in Los Angeles.

1968: Birth of Jason Fleiss

In 1968, Heidi Fleiss's brother, Jason, was born.

1977: Birth of Jesse Fleiss

In 1977, Heidi Fleiss's brother, Jesse, was born.

1987: Fleiss meets Madam Alex and begins managing a prostitution ring

In 1987, at the age of 22, Heidi Fleiss met Madam Alex through her film-director boyfriend Iván Nagy and began managing a prostitution ring under her.

1990: Fleiss starts her own prostitution ring

In 1990, Heidi Fleiss severed her links with Madam Alex and started her own prostitution ring, reportedly making her first million dollars in four months.

1991: Fleiss's success as a madam

By 1991, Heidi Fleiss's prostitution ring was so successful that she could reject women who wished to work for her.

June 1993: Fleiss's arrest on pandering charges

In June 1993, Heidi Fleiss was arrested on charges including attempted pandering.

1993: Fleiss becomes prototype for character in Melrose Place

In 1993, Heidi Fleiss became a prototype for the character of Lauren Ethridge in Season 2 of Melrose Place, played by Kristian Alfonso.

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1994: Fleiss states she is a vegetarian

In 1994, Heidi Fleiss mentioned that she is a vegetarian.

1994: Federal charges filed against Fleiss

In 1994, federal charges were filed against Heidi Fleiss, who posted $1 million bail; she was subsequently convicted at the state trial the same year.

1995: Release of the documentary "Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam"

In 1995, Nick Broomfield released a documentary about Heidi Fleiss's prostitution ring, titled "Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam".

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May 1996: Fleiss's state conviction overturned

In May 1996, Heidi Fleiss's state conviction was overturned, and her appeal bond was set at $200,000.

September 1996: Fleiss convicted of federal tax evasion charges

In September 1996, Heidi Fleiss was convicted of federal tax evasion charges and sentenced to seven years in prison.

1996: Ruby Wax interviews Fleiss

In 1996, Heidi Fleiss, after being convicted of being a madam and shortly before her incarceration, was interviewed by Ruby Wax.

November 19, 1998: Fleiss released to halfway house

On November 19, 1998, Heidi Fleiss was released to a halfway house after serving 20 months in prison and ordered to perform 370 hours of community service.

2001: Release of "Sex Tips with Heidi Fleiss and Victoria Sellers"

In 2001, Heidi Fleiss and Victoria Sellers hosted and produced an instructional DVD titled "Sex Tips with Heidi Fleiss and Victoria Sellers".

2002: Fleiss describes her relationship with Alex

In 2002, Heidi Fleiss described her intense and abusive but loving relationship with Madam Alex and stated she worked as a prostitute for a short period to learn the trade.

2003: Fleiss accuses Tom Sizemore of domestic violence

In 2003, Heidi Fleiss accused her ex-boyfriend, actor Tom Sizemore, of domestic violence, and he was subsequently convicted of the charge.

2004: Release of "Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss"

In 2004, a TV movie titled "Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss" was produced about Heidi Fleiss's life.

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2005: Fleiss announces plans to open a brothel

In 2005, Heidi Fleiss announced plans to open a brothel in Pahrump, Nevada, named "Heidi Fleiss's Stud Farm".

2007: Fleiss opens laundromat in Pahrump

In 2007, Heidi Fleiss opened a laundromat named "Dirty Laundry" in Pahrump as her plans for the brothel had been put on hold.

2009: Fleiss abandons brothel plans, focuses on renewable energy

In 2009, Heidi Fleiss stated she had abandoned her plans to open a brothel and would focus on renewable energy, opening a fashion boutique in Los Angeles after being released from prison.

2009: Fleiss receives treatment for substance abuse

In 2009, Heidi Fleiss was treated for substance abuse at the Pasadena Recovery Center, which was filmed for the third season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, where she reunited with Tom Sizemore.

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2009: Death of Jason Fleiss

In 2009, Heidi Fleiss's brother, Jason, drowned at the age of 41.

January 2010: Fleiss appears on "Celebrity Big Brother"

In January 2010, Heidi Fleiss entered the final Channel 4 series of Celebrity Big Brother in the UK as the third housemate and was the second to be evicted; she did not return for the finale.

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August 2013: Marijuana plants found at Fleiss's home

In August 2013, Nevada police found nearly 400 marijuana plants growing at Heidi Fleiss's home in Pahrump, Nevada, but did not arrest her.

2014: Death of Paul M. Fleiss

In 2014, Heidi Fleiss's father, Paul M. Fleiss, a pediatrician, passed away.

January 2017: Fleiss owns and manages Flying S Ranch Ultralight Flightpark since at least January 2017

Since at least January 2017, Heidi Fleiss owns and manages the Flying S Ranch Ultralight Flightpark, an ultralight private use airport in Pahrump, with FAA designation NV54.

2021: Release of "Little Black Book" concept album

In 2021, composer Billy Recce released his musical theater concept album "Little Black Book" about Heidi Fleiss's story, co-conceived by director Will Nunziata.

2022: Fleiss announces move to Missouri after parrot shooting

In 2022, Heidi Fleiss announced that she would be moving to Missouri after someone shot one of her parrots with a pellet gun.

2022: Release of "HeidiWorld: The Heidi Fleiss Story" podcast

In 2022, Heidi Fleiss was the subject of "HeidiWorld: The Heidi Fleiss Story", an iHeartRadio podcast produced, written and hosted by Molly Lambert.

April 2025: Fleiss owns and manages Flying S Ranch Ultralight Flightpark

As of April 2025, Heidi Fleiss owns and manages the Flying S Ranch Ultralight Flightpark, an ultralight private use airport in Pahrump, with FAA designation NV54.