Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner Dies At 91

The Playboy Enterprises has lost its founder and creator, Hugh Hefner. Popularly known as “Hef,” Hefner has peacefully passed away in his mansion at the age of 91.

The iconic founder of Playboy magazine has died from natural causes, as confirmed by the company. He was an American icon who introduced the Playboy Magazine to the world in 1953, which has set off a cultural revolution in the United States.

Hugh Hefner founded the Playboy Magazine more than six decades ago.

The company released an official statement saying:

“Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboy magazine 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.”

Moreover, his son and the Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises, Cooper Hefner said that his father had lived an “exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer.”

Hef was also known for his advocacies on free speech, sexual freedom, and civil rights.

He started publishing the popular magazine in his kitchen in 1953 before it became the largest-selling men's magazine worldwide.

Hefner was born on April 9, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. After serving in the army and attending college, he got the idea for the magazine while he was working as a cartoonist for Esquire magazine.

When he was offered a $5 raise, he turned it down and tried to put up his own magazine.

He acquired $8,000 worth of investments from many individuals, including his mother, to create a sample of the magazine.

The first prototype of the magazine featured a previous photo of a nude model, who became popularly known as Marilyn Monroe. In just days, the magazine was sold out, leading to Hef’s fame and fortune.

In the same year, he founded Playboy Enterprises, where he has become a board member, until the time of his death.

The rabbit, which was the company’s logo, has a sexual meaning. Hef said he chose the logo because the bunny is a shy, fresh, vivacious and sexy icon.

Throughout the years, the Playboy magazine has made Hef a millionaire, making him one of the most controversial personalities in history.

He is survived by his wife, Crystal, daughter, Christie and three sons, David, Cooper, and Martson.