After graduating from Wilton High School, she enrolled in Sacred Heart University where she majored in Communications and Technology until she was discovered by fashion photographer Steven Meisel in 2003 and put on the cover of Vogue Italia in April 2004. She now spends much time acting, writing, and developing film scripts. This inspired her to pursue a career in entertainment. As a child she spent time on the set of John Waters' films with her mother, Patricia Hearst. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Lydia has also spent much time living in London and Paris. She resides in Los Angeles and New York City, working full-time in both film and fashion.
Actress and supermodel Lydia Hearst is the great-granddaughter of publishing scion William Randolph Hearst.