He previously served as Deputy Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1965 to 1970, under the government of Gerard Batliner.

Hilbe enrolled in the École libre des sciences politiques in Paris, where he received a diploma in 1950.

[3][4] His party Patriotic Union won the 1970 Liechtenstein general election with 49.57% of the vote, making it the first time it had held a majority since its formation in 1936 and Hilbe was appointed to serve as prime minister.

[1] From 1974, Hilbe became a honorary member of the Patriotic Union and a self-employed financial consultant in Vaduz and Schaan.

[1] Hilbe married Virginia Joseph (born 14 July 1928) 27 October 1951 and they had one child together.