Did you hear the one about the blonde with the high powered job, millions in the bank and the respect of everyone around her- no probably not but the recent rise to success of many fair-haired women is no joke.
Paris Hilton has announced she wants to ditch her dumb blonde image and concentrate on a worthwhile career when she leaves jail but she's not the first famous blonde to make this move.
For years blonde women have been the butt of stupid jokes making them out to be of low intelligence but it seems this theory is being proved wrong as we enter the age of the 'clever blonde'.
Pamela Anderson was the iconic 90s blonde. Most famous for running down the beach in a red swimsuit with her larger than average breasts bouncing, Pamela has also used her smart business brain to develop a different type of assets. Having raised a family, written numerous books and raised thousands for animal rights and AIDs charities can we still say she's just a dumb blonde?
Katie Price is another busty blonde who has used her ample assets to secure 
a great future for her and her family. With her brilliant business brain and great ability to work the media Katie has built her own brand and safeguard a £32 million nest egg which will keep her living in luxury for the rest of her life. Not bad for a glamour model from Brighton.
Blondes don't need to have big boobs to make a fortune. This year's Apprentice contestant, Katie Hopkins proved that the colour of her hair can't stop her from becoming a successful high powered executive. Katie may not have won the top prize but since then she has been offered a £90,000 a year position at the Met Office.
Hollywood is also catching on to the new blonde. Gone are the days of the ditzy Clueless school girls. Drew Barrymore may not be your stereotypical entrepreneur but her production company, Flower Films, is giving the big studios a run for their money.
Oscar winner Renee Zellweger has left behind her Jerry McGuire days and acted the likes of Russell Crowe and Jude Law off screen. Now she has an Oscar and a Bafta under her belt.
The stereotypical trailer-trash blonde in a mini skirt and stilettos is also a thing of the past. Modern blondes have style and they know how to use it.
Sarah Jessica Parker is a style icon and her role in Sex And the City revolutionised the fashion industry. Along with stylist Patricia Field, Sarah managed to create a great look and help boost the careers of designers such as Manolo Blahnik. Since the end of SATC Sarah has gone on to create her own fashion line, Bitten, and promote affordable fashion for all alongside American clothes store Steve and Barry's.
Whether it be films, fashion or business blondes seem to be at the top of their game and giving brunettes a run for their money. If Paris wants to ditch her ditzy image then now is definitely the time to do it. However she may be able to lose her blonde look but after being sent to jail for driving while banned and flashing her bits to the world- her dumb reputation may be a little harder to get rid of..
Are blondes really as dumb as people think? Let us know your opinion by voting in this weeks poll
Caz Moss