People
Hugh Hefner (Playboy Founder) – Bio, Death, Net worth, Wife, Children
A savvy businessman, he knew the intricacies of the challenging business world on a national and international level and was also a champion when it came to “women’s affairs”. Hugh Hefner eased the once-intense criticism of sex and women in society. He practically invented the word “Playboy,” which gained traction with the publication of his nude and sexual Playboy magazine, run by his lifestyle company, Playboy Enterprises.
Hefner brought forth the idea of sexual liberation, which has seeped into the veins of today’s society with his influence. For a man born in the era of prohibition, this is of tremendous importance. To dig even further into Hugh Hefner’s impact on society, here are the things to know about him.
Hugh Hefner (Playboy Founder) Bio
Hugh was born April 9, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois to his parents; Grace Caroline (née Swanson) and Glenn Lucius Hefner. Coming from a conservative and religious family background, Hefner always felt different from the rest of his family because of his liberal views. He could have been a missionary except for his unyielding nature and extraterrestrial quest. Moreso was born in the era of prohibition, when flexible living was unattainable, and Hugh managed to glue his own beliefs to his head until he was old enough to act on them.
Always inclined to write after high school at Steinmetz High School, Hugh worked in the US Army as a writer for a military newspaper. He then studied psychology, creative writing and art at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
He wouldn’t stop there, he briefly worked as a copywriter for Esquire magazine before founding his Playboy magazine which faced many attacks. First it was called Stag Party before it was changed to Playboy. Undeterred by the contradictions, Hefner featured Marilyn Munroe in her nude calendar, which he rented for $200 in the first issue of the magazine. It sold more than expected and became a great source of encouragement and motivation for Hefner.
It is believed that Hefner was never racist and also endorsed the statements of the civil rights movement. Playboy reportedly started “private key” clubs in the ’60s that cared about everyone regardless of their racial status. He also worked with people of different races and preached the message of civil rights and liberation. The man’s desire for an inclusive society was evident when he brought Dick Gregory, an African-American comedian and activist, to his Chicago Playboy Club. He also worked with Alex Haley, a black American writer whom he sent to interview American neo-Nazi George Rockwell.
Hefner has appeared several times as himself in films and series Sex and the City (2000), Family Guy (2007) and many others. In 2005, Hefner and producer Kevin Burns co-created the Girl Next Door series also called Girls from the Playboy Mansion which aired on E! Channel from 2005 to 2010.
The reality series featured Hefner and his friends Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson living with him at the Playboy mansion.
His capital
Hugh Hefner amassed great wealth doing what he did, loved and preached what he believed. His net worth was estimated at $45 million at the time of his death. This ruled out the value of his Playboy mansion, which after the remodeling runs to millions of dollars. The Playboy mansion was reportedly put on a $200 million auction in 2016.
Playboy sold over 6 million copies Hugh’s net worth peaked at over $200 million in the 1970s. It wasn’t just his magazine, the Playboy empire integrated TV shows, clubs, and various entertainment platforms, creating a revenue stream for its founder. Hefner’s children are reportedly set to inherit their father’s fortune.
Hugh Hefner’s family – wife and children
While he was among the concubines and the Hefner also considered it appropriate to marry. He was first married to Mildred Williams in 1949. However, Mildred reportedly confessed before their wedding to cheating on him while he was away in the army. Guilt-stricken Mildred allowed her husband to sleep with other women due to her own infidelity. The couple had two children (Christie and David) before divorcing in 1959.
After the divorce, Hugh was involved with several girlfriends and playmates. In 1986, he married American model and actress Kimberley Conrad, who was Playmate of the Year at the time. They had two sons together; Marston Glenn, born in 1990, and Cooper Hefner, born in 1991. The couple separated in 1998 and Conrad moved out of the Playboy mansion.
Hugh had dated all kinds of women. In addition to Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson appearing in The Girls’ Next Door, Hugh has also dated Brande Roderick, twins Sandy and Mandy Bentley, Izabella St James, Tina Marie Jordan, Shannon Tweed, Donna Michelle and Marilyn Cole, Barbi Benton, Lillian Muller, Karen Christy, Sondra Theodore and many others.
See Also: Alan Rickman Death, Cause of Death, Children Net Worth and Other Facts
His death
Hugh Hefner died of natural causes in SeptemberHe died at his Playboy mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 91. Mr. Hugh was buried in the crypt next to Marilyn Monroe at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Hefner had bought the crypt for $75,000 and asked to be buried there – alongside the woman who was the foundation of his success.
