Founder of Playboy magazine and star of the E! reality show, The Girls Next Door, Hugh Hefner has passed away due to natural causes.

He was 91-years old.

 

 

In a recent statement, a rep for Playboy Enterprises has confirmed, “Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboymagazine and built the company into one of the most recognizable American global brands in history, peacefully passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones.”

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZkl1VBgpSO/?hl=en&tagged=riphef

 

Cooper Hefner, son to Hugh and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises says, “My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom. He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history. He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.” 

 

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Hugh Marston Hefner was born on April 9, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Glenn Lucius Hefner and Grace Caroline.  It was after he finished college, served in the army and working in the publishing industry that Hugh got the idea for Playboy.

 

 

The very first issue of Playboy was published in December of 1953 and featured Marilyn Monroe.  In order for Hugh’s dreams to come true, he had to put his furniture as collateral for a loan and he also borrowed funds from his friends and family, specifically his mother.  Within that year (1953) Hugh then launched his media and lifestyle company, Playboy Enterprises, Inc. and served as a board member until his passing.

 

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In regards to the iconic Playboy logo, in a 1967 interview, Hugh said, “The rabbit, the bunny, in America has a sexual meaning; and I chose it because it’s a fresh animal, shy, vivacious, jumping — sexy.”

 

 

The magazine itself would later become known for its articles and of course, its beautiful women.  Hugh had then asked some of the world’s most greatest literary figures to write for the magazine.  Those writers included Margaret Atwood, Jack Kerouac, Hunter S. Thompson, Ian Fleming, John Updike, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Kurt Vonnegut and Jack Kerouac.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSchG6EBZnL/?taken-by=comic_sans_brands

 

Hugh was known for being very public about the numerous women he had in his life and was very public about his intimate life.  Yes, Hugh was married for a decade-long to his first wife, Mildred Williams.  Together, they had their daughter, Christie and their son, David. The two divorced by 1959.

Then, in 1971, Hugh relocated to Los Angeles where he purchased one of the most legendary houses to date, and where he lived until his passing.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZkec2iHVDO/?hl=en&tagged=riphef

 

In 1985, due to a mild stroke, he then passed on more responsibility within management to his daughter Christie.  Christie would be named president in 1982 and then CEO in 1988 and officially left the company in 2009.

In 1989, Hugh married his second wife, who was also Playmate of the Year, Kimberley Conrad.  Hugh and Kimberley had two sons together, Marston Glenn and Cooper Bradford.  They then separated after a decade and were divorced in 2010.

 

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Hefner, who lived in his mansion for five decades, housed many young women at the same time.  These women included stars of the reality show, Girls Next Door Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt.  This show ran for six-seasons.

 

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Hugh was then in a relationship for seven years with Holly Madison and then soon after, Hugh began dating Crystal Harris.  Hugh and Crystal married on December 31, 2012.

The Playboy mansion was best known for hosting its very famous Halloween party.  And then in June of 2017, Hugh sold the mansion to his neighbour, Daren Metropoulos for $200 million under the condition that Hugh was able to live in the home until his passing.

 

 

In August, Hugh’s son Cooper admitted that it was extremely hard to watch his father age, “It’s tough to watch him struggle but I’m just happy it’s physical and not mental.”

Hugh is survived by his wife, Crystal and his four children, Cooper, David, Marston and Christie.

Hugh will be laid to rest at L.A.’s Westwood Village cemetery, where in 1992, purchased a crypt for $75, 000 right next to Marilyn Monroe.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZkbusoFU_c/?hl=en&taken-by=playboy

 

Check out what some of your favourite celebrities are saying via social media about the sudden passing of Hef below…

 

https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/913244162648031233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fcelebrity%2Fhugh-hefner-dead-celebrity-reactions%2F

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/913252754436579328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fcelebrity%2Fhugh-hefner-dead-celebrity-reactions%2F

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZkc9xRD2WJ/?taken-by=shannonleetweedsimmons

https://twitter.com/OfficialKat/status/913249808667746304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fcelebrity%2Fhugh-hefner-dead-celebrity-reactions%2F

https://twitter.com/charlieputh/status/913251901117947905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fcelebrity%2Fhugh-hefner-dead-celebrity-reactions%2F

https://twitter.com/DonnaDErrico/status/913246012772278272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fcelebrity%2Fhugh-hefner-dead-celebrity-reactions%2F

https://twitter.com/CourtneyStodden/status/913242401728225280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fcelebrity%2Fhugh-hefner-dead-celebrity-reactions%2F

https://twitter.com/RyanSeacrest/status/913250228828016640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FUS%2Fcelebrities-playboy-bunnies-react-hugh-hefners-death%2Fstory%3Fid%3D50145139

Filed under: Hugh Hefner, Playboy