Hilary Duff has opened up about the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, revealing that her early success as a child star came at the expense of a traditional education.
Speaking on the Table Manners podcast, Duff admitted she received “zero education” during her teenage years as her acting career rapidly took off. She explained that most of her time was spent working on sets rather than attending school.
“I was homeschooled, barely,” the actress joked, adding that academics often took a backseat to her busy schedule in the entertainment industry.
Duff rose to international fame at the age of 14 after starring in the hit Disney series Lizzie McGuire, which quickly turned her into one of the most recognizable teen stars of the early 2000s. The role opened the door to music, film, and television opportunities that kept her constantly working throughout her adolescence.
Although her mother once encouraged her to pursue a General Educational Development certificate, Duff said she never went on to complete higher education. Despite that, the actress said she has no regrets about the path she chose.
According to Duff, the experiences she gained through her career helped her develop life skills and practical knowledge that traditional schooling might not have provided.
She also joked about occasionally turning to online tools such as Google Search and ChatGPT to fill in gaps in her knowledge.
Now a mother of four, Duff says she places strong importance on her children’s education and enjoys learning new things alongside them. Despite having an unconventional upbringing, she remains grateful for the opportunities her career provided and the life lessons it taught her about responsibility, creativity, and personal growth.