Image copyright Reuters Image caption Hugh Hefner owes his success to Marilyn Monroe
Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy, was constantly surrounded by a whole harem of young girls in his Playboy Mansion during his lifetime and became almost a symbol of hedonism and sexual excesses.
However, after his death, there will be only one woman next to him - Marilyn Monroe.
Hefner, who died on Wednesday at the age of 91, bought a crypt in the cemetery in 1992 next to the one in which the remains of Marilyn are buried. He paid $75,000 for it.
The message that he will now forever lie next to Monroe has caused heated debate - some consider this a touching gesture, while others consider it not too decent.
- Playboy founder Hugh Hefner dies
- Playboy magazine resumes publishing photos of naked models
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Founder of Playboy: The Hugh Hefner StoryMarilyn Monroe died in 1962.
But critics say that although Hefner was able to launch his brand and his magazine precisely because of this first issue of Playboy with a photo of Marilyn Monroe, she herself was embarrassed by those photos, fearing that their publication could damage her career.
Image copyright Playboy Image caption Playboy cover with Marilyn Monroe. 1953The nude photos were taken a few years earlier, when Monroe was a young, poor and almost unemployed actress. For this she received then 50 dollars.
Four years later, Hefner paid a Chicago calendaring company $500 and obtained the rights to publish pictures of Monroe, which - as she herself would later say - "had nothing but radio waves." Hefner sold 50,000 copies of the magazine in a day.
In her autobiography, Marilyn: Her Life in Her Words, the actress wrote: "I have never even been thanked by those who made millions on a Marilyn nude photo. I even had to buy a copy of the magazine myself to see how I look there."
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Ashes of Marilyn MonroeHefner never met Monroe, although he said they once talked on the phone. "I love blondes, and she is the most blonde," he said.
He also said that many of his acquaintances were buried in Westwood Cemetery in Los Angeles.
"I believe in symbolic things," he told the Los Angeles Times. "I could not miss the opportunity to spend eternity next to Marilyn."
The widow gets nothing
As always, when a rich person dies, gossip begins about who and what will inherit from his fortune.
Image copyright AFP Image caption Crystal Harris is 60 years younger than Hefner. Photo 2011As far as we know, Hefner's fortune reaches 50 million dollars, although some publications give even more impressive figures.
The American press cites sources close to the Hefner family, who say that the possible heirs are unlikely to fight among themselves - mainly because his third and last wife, Crystal Harris, was clearly told before the wedding (and backed up by a prenuptial contract) that after his death she will not get anything. Although they also add that she will not be left without money.
Crystal Harris is 60 years younger than Hefner. They got married in 2012. Crystal became the third and last wife of Hugh Hefner.
Image copyright AFP Image caption Hugh Hefner: "I love blondes"The US press writes that, most likely, Hefner's fortune will be divided among his four children from two previous marriages. Two of them worked for the Playboy family business for years. Part of the money will go to charity.
Hefner sold the Playboy Mansion in 2016 for $100 million to his neighbor Darren Metropoulos. According to the terms of the deal, Hefner could stay there for the rest of his days.
It is said that Metropoulos wants to merge the plots of both properties and restore the Playboy Mansion, built in 1927, returning it to its original appearance.
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner has died in Los Angeles. He was 91 years old. He reportedly died at his home surrounded by loved ones. He had a big mansion, one of the most expensive suites in the world, private jet travel, and partying around the clock. He led a secular lifestyle even at the age of 90. But Hugh's most important asset, of course, is his playmates - the girls living in the Hefner mansion. The beauties told how they lived in the house of a millionaire.
All the girls in the Hefner mansion seem happy, but that's just an appearance. One of the former playmates said that they were severely restricted in their rights and freedom of movement in the house, and Hugh Hefner, although he was nice to them, perceived the girls as sex slaves who had to satisfy him around the clock. None of the girls dared to refuse him or at least respond rudely, because no one wanted problems. And only one of the girls decided on such a frank confession. Hugh is a millionaire, so he can afford a luxurious mansion, gorgeous girlfriends and the illusion of a beautiful carefree life. However, be that as it may, in reality, many of the men still dream of being in his place.
Playboy has always been surrounded by hundreds of the most selective beauties. However, one girl was able to do the impossible: Hugh Hefner finally found the woman he left at his place for the night. And she was the only one in his bed, the rest of the playmates were forced to stomp behind closed doors. However, being married to a millionaire is not such a big gift. You will have to put up with old age and, let's say, unusual conditions of the marriage contract.
Crystal Harris married Hugh in 2013 and she signed an ironclad marriage contract. Hugh Hefner wanted to make sure his legacy would go to his children, the University of Southern California, and charities. The girl was not supposed to have a penny. This is probably one of the reasons why she broke up with him in the first place, but Crystal ended up accepting Hugh's terms.
Hugh owns a $10 million two-story villa that features a revolving bed and walls, jacuzzi, terrace, sunbathing area, indoor pool, gym, media center, massage and spa room, glass elevator and more.
Not only did he meet celebrities at parties, he lived with them! Hugh Hefner told Vanity Fair that his favorite guests are actor Tony Curtis and cartoonist Shel Silverstein. It was rumored that there were a number of underground tunnels connected to the Hefner mansion and leading to the neighboring houses of celebrities. The tunnels closed in 1989, but Hefner still has a special relationship with celebrities.
What did the rich man like to do in his spare time? According to him, there was no better vacation than staying in his mansion. He told Vanity Fair that this is because « this is a place where everyone wants to go, and I agree with them. All, whatever you want is here." He also liked to watch movies in his room or just work. Now that he's getting older, Hugh Hefner's life is much calmer, but he never stops enjoying life.
Hugh Hefner bought his Big Rabbit private jet in the late 1960s. It was he who delivered the playboy and his guests to the next sexual adventure. The plane was a symbol of the sexual revolution. It was the only black aircraft with searchlights that were fitted at the wingtips to ensure that the "Big Rabbit" would always stand out. The 38-seat passenger plane was like an apartment - with a bedroom, living room, dining room and everything you need for entertainment. It was also staffed with a bar and a club. Unfortunately Hugh sold the aircraft in 1975 and it was used as a commercial airliner until 2004.
How to get invited to Hugh Hefner's party? You must be famous or send a photo of yourself in a bikini if you are a girl. If you pass the test, you will be taken to the hottest party in which the participants are literally surrounded by naked flesh. Large dance floor, unlimited alcohol and a pool for those who want to cool off. Unfortunately, last year Hefner sold his famous mansion to his neighbor on special terms. But that doesn't mean he won't party anymore. The new owner will not yet be able to fully use the building he bought, since, under the terms of the sale agreement, 90-year-old Hefner has the right to live here for the rest of his life. It won't be free, though: Playboy Enterprises is promising to pay Metropoulos $1 million in annual rent.
The two-story Gothic-style building, built in 1927 by architect Arthur R. Kelly, is located in one of the most prestigious areas of Los Angeles. It has 22 rooms. On the territory of the estate with an area of about 25 thousand square meters. m there is a tennis court, a basketball court, a swimming pool with a grotto, and a small zoo. Hefner bought the estate in 1971 for about $1.1 million, and throughout the 1970s he regularly hosted the famous Playboy parties here. The mansion was put up for sale earlier this year. for 200 million dollars. Thus, the discount was doubled. Despite the fact that, according to experts, the real price of the estate due to its unsatisfactory condition is today no more than 60 million dollars.
Metropoulos also bought his current house next door from Hefner. The $18 million deal took place in 2009. Both houses were designed by the same architect and were originally conceived as two parts of the same complex. Therefore, after buying the Playboy mansion, Metropoulos plans to combine the two buildings. According to Playboy Enterprises, the money from the sale of the mansion is needed to maintain the business. Last year it became known that the company is discussing the possibility legendary magazine sales .
Hugh Hefner settled only the most beautiful girls in his 29-room mansion. And they had to wear only the most revealing clothes. Each girl was given a week $1,000 to spend on themselves. In their life in the mansion was also included in an unlimited number of beauty salon services and plastic surgery, most often girls chose breast augmentation, liposuction and rhinoplasty. Hugh not only chose the hottest girls, but also remade them for himself and his tastes.
If you are one of the playmate girls, you should forget about such concepts as respect and consent. No matter how old he is, the playboy never stopped having sex. Despite the fact that he publicly denied it, each girlfriend had to participate in a strange ritual: before going to bed, Hefner called all the girls dressed in pink flannel pajamas into his bedroom. They put on a show and kissed each other to arouse him while he pleased himself. It's impossible to count the number of girls that went through the revolving door to the bedroom because there were too many of them. And sometimes there was a crush in the playboy's bed. Former playmate Madison says all girls hate this bedroom routine. Hugh Hefner may be the world's greatest playboy, but that doesn't make him the best partner in bed. Hundreds of women could tell about it.
"Rabbits" do not have the right to life outside the mansion, and they cannot go out freely either, which is why the house is surrounded by such a high fence. Former playmates say it was like a prison. The girls had to return to the mansion by 9 pm, they could not invite their girlfriends to the mansion, and male visitors were not allowed. They should always look as beautiful and sexy as possible, and God forbid they get into the gossip column without makeup or in an unpresentable form. Those who broke the rules were immediately kicked out.
Hugh Hefner is so rich that he found a way to buy the elixir of life. Surrounded by young, beautiful women, a 91-year-old man will remain forever young. Playboy knows what's trending right now. He is not shy about appearing in Snapchat videos with his wife Crystal. Even though his body may be old, his heart will always be young, just like the women he loves.
Maybe the secret of immortality is this: live each day as if it were your last. In the end, at this age, every day for Hugh can really be the last. But when the time comes, he will be able to proudly say that he lived a full life.
- The media mogul was born in Chicago. He served in the army and graduated from the Faculty of Psychology. Playboy magazine he came up with as a student. The first issue - with Marilyn Monroe on the cover - was released in December 1953 with a circulation of only 70,000 copies. In the 70s, this figure reached five million a month.
- The current chief editor of the publication Hefner was 64 years old - this fact is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
Yesterday, September 27, at the age of 92, the founder of the legendary erotic magazine Playboy died. Hugh Hefner.
In 1992, for $75,000, Hefner bought a place in a crypt near the burial place of Marilyn Monroe, his favorite playmate.
“I will be buried in the crypt next to her. It has great importance for me. I will share the rest of my eternity with Marilyn, ”Hugh Hefner commented on his act then.
This story is about his life, overgrown with legends long before his death.
This black and white photo has become faded, but has not lost any of the feelings that the people depicted in it experience, nor the emotions that it evokes over and over again. The photo shows Grace and Glenn Hefner and their two young sons: the oldest, eight-year-old Hugh, and the youngest, Keith, who playfully blows a kiss to an unseen photographer. Behind him, in a polka-dot dress, stands his mother, putting her hand on her son's shoulder. She smiles. Smiling and Hugh, dressed, and now he does not remember why, in a sailor suit. Father is in a suit. He stands behind and folded his hands behind his back. Caption on the photo: "1934, Chicago."
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Absolutely typical family for the then American Midwest. And typical of her was that the parents were incapable of showing love for show, since they themselves were brought up in such an environment.
Hugh Hefner was born in 1926 and grew up in a Puritan home who professed the appropriate principles: hard work, frugality and restraint. Nevertheless, Hugh and his brother knew that their parents loved them, although they never showed it openly - either physically or emotionally. Even parental kissing in the family was considered a way to spread contagious diseases. The body was always supposed to be covered. Even in bed. And what happened under the covers, of course, about something sinful, should have been silent. The only chaste and truly unifying moment and favorite pastime of the Hefner family was watching movies together.
Two opposite realities - family, with its taboo, and cinematic, which created the illusion of freedom - subsequently directly influenced Hugh's fate. Cinema became his salvation - a source of fantasies that helped him escape from a house full of restrictions and "sin".
Hugh Hefner with his "harem" at the celebration of the 80th anniversary, 2006
Looking at the faded photo and remembering the good and the bad of his childhood, he leaned back in his Los Angeles Playboy Mansion in black silk pajamas over which he wore a red patterned robe, setting aside the first volume of his illustrated autobiography in six volumes. It contains all the most important photographs, drawings, comics, postcards, magazine covers, pictures with celebrities and even scanned notes that the creator of the Playboy empire and the philosophy of a new, revolutionary lifestyle has meticulously collected over the years.
Playboy Mansion He glanced at his phone, which he had put on silent: eight in the morning. Hugh skimmed through the main messages and notifications. There were many. Letters were waiting for a response, on Twitter people reacted vividly to yesterday's photo of him with Krystal from a quiet New Year's party and congratulated him on their fourth wedding anniversary. I did not want to wake my wife: she slept so sweetly. Although he would be happy if she joined: his wife loves to listen to the stories of his life, especially since every time he remembers something new. Christy, daughter, asked in a text message if it would be convenient if she came to them on January 3rd? The answer is yes, of course. Son Marston congratulated on the holidays ...
Hugh looked again at the open spread of the book. Parents ... Mom, who worked as a teacher all her life, lived to be one hundred and one years old, father, a certified accountant, died at eighty. Hefner now, at ninety, looks differently at everything that happened to him as a child. The older he gets, the closer childhood is, and for some reason it is more pleasant to remember it. Why did his fate turn out this way and not otherwise? Hugh constantly finds different answers to this, which has become almost eternal question. And the annual ritual of browsing through the archives became obligatory for him: he always does this retrospective review of life on January 1st.
Hugh in 1961 Another year will pass. And in 2017, the answer to this question, not uttered aloud, was this for him: he succeeded because he created from scratch both himself and the world around him, turning fate in a radically different direction. In this new life, the prohibitions had to be lifted, and a natural attitude and understanding of sensual love should be instilled in oneself and society. To show that there is nothing obscene in sex, that it is a part of human existence. That the soul and the body cannot be apart. That sensual and intellectual interests coexist and do not conflict. That real obscenity has nothing to do with sex. The real obscenities are wars and intolerance towards each other. Although behind all this desire - to prove, to explain, to change - there was something completely different. But he will understand this only after many years ...
With Bonnie Halpin, 1961 The inscription on a still frame from the film is black letters cut out and pasted onto cardboard: “I have returned from the land of the dead!” ... Hugh turned the next page of the first volume and saw several photos from his short black and white horror film in which he saves a beautiful girl from him self-created monster. The one because of whom he started making films was also in the photographs.
As a sixteen-year-old boy, in the summer of 1942, before that he had no idea about the relationship between a man and a woman, he fell passionately in love for the first time. Her name was Betty Conklin, and she was a member of the school's girls' club, which held a party once a month, to which the boys were also invited.
Hugh Hefner in 1960 Hugh was sitting on a bench near the school because the comic book about the funny adventures of his friend Billy and two girls, which he began to draw in math class, required urgent completion and publication with the mandatory initials: "Created by HH."
“Hey Hugh! Billy ran up to his friend. - How long will you take? Can you see it already? he asked impatiently.
Hugh pressed the sketchbook to himself, covering the drawing.
“When I'm done, you know. Leave me alone!
- OK. But I have news for you.
Hugh nodded, not stopping his work for a second, carefully drawing line after line.
“You know about the party, right? Will be this Friday.
Hugh pulled the pencil off the paper and looked at his friend.
- AND? Yes, speak already!
“I just met Douglas from the seventh grade. He said that ... - Billy hesitated, but Hefner's withering look did not leave him a single chance, there was nowhere to retreat. “Anyway, Betty invited him to the party.
1966 Hugh lowered his eyes and looked at his drawing. The lines turned out to be somehow uneven, and in general everything is somehow completely mediocrely painted. He pressed down on the pencil with force and abruptly began to scribble over what he had already created. Crunch! The sharpened stylus broke. The guy quickly put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a spare, red one. He crossed out everything drawn with a cross and tore the sheet out of the album.
“Hugh, dude, stop, what are you doing! Billy screamed. – Hugh! Yes stop you!
But it was too late. The drawing, torn into small pieces, lay on the ground.
– Hugh? Hefner jumped to his feet abruptly. Why do you keep calling me Hugh? What a stupid name. Never call me that again. Call me ... - he thought for a second, - call me Hef!
– Okay, okay, Hugh, that is, Hef. Calm down, what are you? Breathe out, hey. Forget her, not this one, it will be different.
But Hef did not hear anything anymore, the voice of a friend sounded like through cotton wool. He grabbed a school bag, picked up scattered torn sheets and an album, stuffed them into a bag and ran. Where and why - it doesn't matter. It was important to run - and think. Think and run. What to do? How to survive it? What to do with yourself so that it does not hurt so much?
It took a week for him to come to his senses. But it's been a very productive week: he changed his entire wardrobe to look brand new, enrolled in dance classes to learn basic moves to jazz music, and decided to publish Shudder Magazine, a monster and sci-fi magazine, and School Daze comics. ) - in a single copy, about his friends. From now on, he signed all the drawings only with elegant Hef. Now, looking through the reproductions of this magazine, he realized that he later did the same in Playboy. Of course, except for naked girls.
2005 year Soon, among the students, he became his boyfriend, taking over and graduating school newspaper. He was awarded the title of the most witty and even elected president of the class council. At breaks and after school, from now on, he was invariably accompanied by the first beauties educational institution. Then Hef decided that he would make films where everything would be the way he wants. So far vaguely, but he has already begun to discern his future. In his new world, he will be the main author of his life. I wanted to create my own universe, in which he himself would be the main center, and the heroes invented by him would play according to his notes. She will be dressed in the form of films, comics and cartoons. Only in this way, Hefner believed, could he attract attention. Of course, first of all, the girls of his dreams, but not only hers. There was no clear plan, but there was a premonition.
And the girl of his dreams... Well, he didn't give up. Or rather, not right away. Hef tried to win over Betty. To do this, he decided to shoot a film in the backyard in which she was given the main role. A story in which he saves a beautiful girl from a monster. And in the movie he did it perfectly: Douglas was defeated. But in real, not fictional life, Betty was absolutely indifferent to the young director.
Drawing and creating something of his own was akin to an obsession - Hef did not stop doing what he loved even in the classroom, which soon became noticeable to teachers and was reflected in his academic performance. Here is a note from school teacher to his mother... Hugh turned the next page of the first volume and smiled at his childish impertinence. In it, the mother was informed that if her son did not stop being distracted in the lessons “by scribbles and don’t understand what” and began to take his studies seriously, he would never graduate from school.
“Oh, and I was a brazen son of a bitch,” he said aloud.
– Can it be like that? You are talking to yourself! Crystal's soft voice was heard.
She stood at the door to the living room and watched her husband for about five minutes - he was so focused. The woman knew that it was better not to interrupt such a state - even in the most affectionate and playful tone.
Still sleepy, in pale pink silk pajamas, she sat down beside him and put her arms around her husband's neck.
“Good morning, Hef.
He took her hand and gently brushed his lips against hers.
“Wake up, baby? How did you sleep?
- Perfect! But as I see it, you started without me.
“I didn't want to wake you up.
She squinted at him first, and then more closely at the open turn and burst out:
“So you really were a cheeky guy!” Draw in class! Aiyai. Will you have coffee?
She gracefully got up from the couch and, without letting go of his hands, tried to go towards the kitchen.
- Come back soon.
Hef was about to continue browsing, but paused for a second: as compiler and editor not only of this autobiography, but of his own life, he knew exactly what the next spread would be. On the left side is his drawing of him and his future wife, Millie Williams, on vacation at Devil's Lake in Wisconsin in the summer of 1948, the title of the magazine is "School Shock", its number is 42, and a cropped black-and-white photograph of Millie in a bathing suit. On the right is their large joint photo on the beach. He is thin as a grasshopper, she is smiling. The spread reads: "Hefner and Millie spent a week with friends at Devil's Lake. The photo confirms that it was one of the most beautiful moments in their relationship.” Oh, it was a time of sexual intimacy and innocence at the same time, which for them will never happen again.
They met in 1943, a year before both graduated from high school and Hugh was drafted into the army - the Second World War. Fortunately, he was sent to serve in the infantry in the United States. There he still drew and wrote - he was an artist and a journalist in an army newspaper. And he continued his comic book, where he created the heading "Memories of Hef." It was about his childhood.
During the two years he was gone, Hefner and Millie corresponded, and he thought she was waiting for him. He believed that this particular girl would become not only his first woman, but also his wife. He could not imagine anything else for himself - he really wanted to get married. But when Hef returned, it turned out that his beloved had grown cold towards him. It took him a whole summer to return the girl's favor, but he won her again.
Hugh continued watching. How important it was to keep this photo, which depicts the hotel where they spent their wedding night. In 1949, when the young man graduated from college, the couple got married. True, this marriage developed despite the circumstances.
They sat in the cinema, less than a week left before the wedding. The film The Accused was on the screen, where the main character was played by Loretta Young, who was very similar in appearance to Millie and was also a teacher. Hef beamed with happiness: cinema is a part of his life, and his future wife fully shares this hobby. As the end credits rolled, Millie suddenly blurted out:
- I cheated on you.
He turned sharply to her, but in the darkness of the auditorium it was impossible to make out the expression on her face. This is such a funny joke, isn't it?
– Milli? What are you... What are you saying?
She looked him straight in the eyes, with a completely serious expression on her face.
“I slept with another guy. During practice in Wilmette, at school. He is also a teacher.
Hef still didn't understand where the catch was.
- Once?
– Hef. Not alone. Not alone…
“Why are you telling me this?” Why Millie?
The credits are over. People rushed towards the exit. Hugh and Millie had to get up to let them through. “Now you don’t want to marry me,” the girl said, sitting back in her chair. “Yes, what are you talking about? I don't have any other option. I marry you. It is not your fault". Millie looked at him with genuine surprise: she was waiting for the opposite reaction, because deep down she hoped that he would hate her and there would be no marriage. Hef realized this only later, when they got married and lived together for ten years, giving birth to a girl and a boy, Christy and David.
He couldn't escape from the cinema. It would be strange. And he is no longer sixteen, but twenty-three. And he, as best he could, withstood all the way while he escorted her home. As soon as the door closed behind his beloved, he realized that he was completely devastated and crushed. But it was necessary to live, build relationships and be happy. That's all he wanted. And this scenario, which he originally wrote for himself, could no longer be changed.
Their life together was doomed. Millie, having become his wife, allowed Hef to meet with other women. The feeling of guilt for betrayal did not leave her, and so, she believed, it would be more honest. This, she believed, would save their marriage forever.
After the birth of a daughter named Christie in November 1952, Hefner finally realized that the philosophy he was trying to profess had collapsed. The idea of romantic love that can overcome everything is dead.
Daughter from first marriage Christy Hefner His reality was simple: wife, newborn daughter. The family had to be provided for. After graduating in college writing and art, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois, and taking a sociology course at the famed Northwestern University, Hefner began looking for work. And he found her - at the beginning of 1953 he got a job as an editor in a children's magazine. And as soon as he was brought here!
There are only ten pages left in the first volume of his autobiography, and one photo of that time is especially pleasant for Hef to look at, because after this meeting of classmates, when he and Billy decided to put on a play in which they occupied all their friends, he realized: it's time, it's time to embody in living out your old dreams and fantasies. And he surprised everyone - without any preparation and third-party support, he decided to publish an elegant and sophisticated magazine for men, Stag Party ("Bachelor Party").
The name Playboy came later when, about five weeks before the first issue went to press, he received a letter from the editors of the men's Stag Magazine about hunting, outdoors and fishing. The publication's lawyer reported that they considered the title of his magazine as an infringement of their copyright.
To be honest, Hugh himself was not entirely sure that the name "Bachelor Party" accurately describes the content of the future magazine. And from the many options suggested by friends, I chose the best one. Hef also wanted the magazine to have an emblem. At first, it was supposed to be a painted moose in pajamas and a silk robe - he stands in the living room, by the fireplace, on which goblets, a bust of a naked lady and books are located. He smokes a cigarette in the mouthpiece, raising his whiskey glass. The bottles are right there on a small table. But at the last minute, this idea was changed - and the symbol of the magazine became a rabbit in a tuxedo, named Bunny. Why a rabbit? Hef believed that this animal is full of life, it has playfulness and playfulness, and when placed in a sophisticated context, it looks unexpectedly cute and funny.
Hugh created the first issue of Playboy alone on the card table in his more than modest Chicago apartment. In the summer of 1953, the editorial staff consisted of him and his typewriter. He himself thought over what the magazine should be filled with, and Millie helped with the headings. It was she who, instead of the name "Darling of the Month", came up with "Playmate", which became calling card editions.
Ukrainian Dasha Astafieva became the "girl of the month" in January 2009 ... Hugh felt the aroma of coffee before he saw Crystal. She placed the tray with the cup on the table near the sofa and sat down beside him.
– What are you watching now? She glanced at the book.
Hef in all his glory - concentrated, at a typewriter, with a pipe and in a pajama shirt. He is sitting at a table on which stands a huge box of materials for the most different topics: feminism, abortion, alcoholism, drug addiction. Everything is collected by topic and signed. The ability to maintain and keep archives in perfect condition has always been his strong point.
– Good, huh? he smiled.
- Still would! Tell me, did you really not imagine that all that horror would fall upon you with accusations of distributing pornography, of indulging sin and debauchery? All the same, all Playmate, including myself in December 2009, were completely naked ...
“I didn’t think, but I expected. But that didn't interest me much. I knew what to answer them. I've always been good at taking a hit. And generally speaking, I often laughed it off. How can you talk about Playboy as a publication about sex, if it takes thirty percent there? If it weren't for the girls, it would just be a thick literary magazine. I did not intend to be a revolutionary at all. The idea was to create a magazine for men that would include sex. And that turned out to be a very revolutionary idea.” Hef took a sip of strong coffee from a cup. “But if I hadn’t taken the risk then, I wouldn’t have met you at the end of my life, baby.” He squeezed her hand tightly and smiled. - You sit closer. Now I'll show you what a cheeky letter I then wrote to distributors of magazine products.
Hugh Hefner with girlfriends on board a private jet, 1970 Indeed, on the penultimate page of the volume, it was printed on a typewriter: “Dear friend! IN Lately I was up to my neck. I was plotting a deal that would make you and me millionaires. Stag Party, a brand new magazine for men, will be released in the fall of 1953. The first issue will feature a photo of Marilyn Monroe from the famous calendar. In color! And every issue of the Stag Party will feature an amazing, full-page, color photo of a naked girl - in the richest and most natural colors ... Yours cordially, Hugh Hefner, General Manager.
First edition of Playboy Of course, after such an application - about rich and natural colors - rumors about the new magazine quickly spread in the publishing business. Hef had only one problem: he had him, a typewriter, a table, an archive of materials, and six hundred dollars. But there were still no photographs of Marilyn to buy, and no money to produce a magazine and print a run. We needed about eight thousand.
And then I started looking for them. Literally everywhere, - Hef told Krystal about this period so enthusiastically that for a moment it seemed as if he was sixty years younger. “Six hundred dollars was mine, I got two hundred from the bank, then pawned Millie and me furniture at the pawnshop. That's four hundred more. And then from everyone who agreed to listen to me, I borrowed either ten or a hundred dollars - who could invest how much in this risky enterprise. My brother Keith agreed to give a thousand. Then my mother - she always believed in me - invested the same amount of her savings. Of course, I decided not to tell her what the magazine would be about. Father, as you know, refused to help. He was too practical. I don't blame him. I myself thought that the first number would be the one and only.
2011 For a photo shoot with Marilyn, consisting of six photographs, Hef paid five hundred dollars. The first issue of the magazine cost 50 cents and sold 54,000 copies. It was a success. And with each issue, it was even more deafening, despite the fact that Hef had to fend off moralists, win a lawsuit against the US Postal Service, which flatly refused to deliver the "obscene" magazine ... In 1956, Playboy bypassed Esquire in circulation, and in 1959 was one million copies printed. Unexpectedly, a magazine in which in simple words it was said that sex is good, that the soul and body belong to a person and he is free to do with them what he wants, and life is a holiday, found a response from the Americans. And especially for students. The younger generation wanted something more and expected change. So, having become part of the upcoming sexual revolution with his brainchild, Hugh Hefner hit the jackpot.
He himself got into the created ideal world - the free world beautiful people. Hef hosted jazz festivals and launched the Playboy Penthouse television show, which covered parties at his Chicago mansion, a massive seventy-room house. So the audience became guests of his world, in which one could easily chat with Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald and listen to their performances. To match this high society, Hef completely changed his image again. The invariable pipe and suit or silk pajamas with a dressing gown thrown over ... A secular lion who has all the treasures of the world. And women are only a small but important part of this wealth. He really had everything but love. At the end of 1959, he divorced Millie, and for the next thirty years he went free swimming with thousands of beauties who invariably accompanied him everywhere and lived in the new Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.
2003 The only woman he interacted with without sex was Bobbi Earnstein. His friend, closest assistant and secretary. Without her help, he would not have been able to overcome all those attacks from society, and first of all, the press, which constantly fell upon him. No one wanted to endure an upstart who came from nowhere, who decided to change the system built on prohibitions, which functioned perfectly before his appearance.
When Bobby was accused of drug trafficking in 1974, Hef realized that the game had gone serious and they took it big. Drugs are not photographs of naked women. This threatened with a long prison term. Otherwise, it was impossible to get it. All accusations against him about debauchery and pornography were broken in courts about the absence of corpus delicti.
Ernstein was arrested in March 1974. She was charged with transporting cocaine from Miami to Chicago. She denied everything. Then she was offered to cooperate with the prosecutor's office - to hush up the case, but to hand over her boss. The girl refused and received a term of fifteen years. Hef's lawyers immediately filed an appeal. The press, in turn, instantly picked up the scandal, and the front pages of newspapers came out with the message that Hugh Hefner was in a terrible situation and now it's not about depraved pictures! Also, journalists did not fail to recall the death in 1973 from an overdose of one of the "Bunnies", Adrienne Pollak, who worked at the Playboy Club. It was emphasized that Hef then fought off attacks and accusations and claimed that he did not even know her. Then Bobby took the brunt.
Hugh's eldest son Cooper Hefner in 2013 Now, when the investigators haunted her and it seemed that the whole story would never end, the choice between betrayal and loyalty was unequivocal for her - she approached the issue radically. After living for several years in the Playboy Mansion, on the night of December 20, 1975, Bobbie, under the assumed name of Roberta Hillman, rented a room at the Maryland Hotel near the Hefner mansion. On a piece of paper, the thirty-four-year-old woman wrote one sentence: "It's just one of those awfully boring suicide notes," and took all the pills she had with her. Soon after her death, it turned out that she really had nothing to do with the drug trade.
Hugh with the dancers of the famous Parisian cabaret Crazy horse, 2010 Hef was heartbroken. The day after her body was found, he called a press conference in which he accused the US Attorney of murder. The answer was given to him through the press: newspapers came out with articles that, well, now, after such serious attacks, the end of the Playboy era is near. But then no one imagined how tenacious its creator would be.
For Bobby and what they created, he had to keep going. And continued to do better. Having devoted all his time to business, he completely abandoned his personal life. And he was able to fix it only in 1989, deciding to start a family with Playmate 1989 by Kimberly Conrad.
With ex-wife Kimberly Conrad, 1990 - After what I experienced - in business and in personal life I still believed I could make it this time.” Hugh and Krystal looked at Kim's famous framed nude photo on the table (twenty years of their actual married life, a larger version of this picture hung over the living room table). “We have Marston and Cooper.
- Did you love her?
Hugh paused.
“Yato… yes… But, I confess to you, I'm still not sure if the feeling was mutual. Or rather, I wanted to believe it so much that I could not notice the deception. And in the end it turned out that I did not notice him, - he grinned. - You know…
He took Crystal's hand and looked into his wife's eyes.
“And I was very afraid of that with you. Very. When you decided to cancel everything then. Right before the wedding in 2011.
“You had nothing to be afraid of. It was I who was frightened ... After all, I was fascinated by you from the first meeting.
Having learned about the betrayal of his second wife, Hef, who remained faithful to her all this time, went into all serious trouble. Initially, Hugh lived with three girls at the same time - actress Brandy Roderick and two twins from Chicago, Sandy and Mandy Bentley. Then Brandy was offered a promising role in the series "Beach Patrol", and she had to leave this strange, but for some reason successfully functioning harem. And Hef decided that the holy place should not be empty, and filled it with five girls from the playmate of his magazine at once. Luckily, I didn't have to go far. They were constantly in his mansion, and the choice was more than rich. And the situation in which all the girls not only knew about each other, but also periodically found themselves in the same bed, while adhering to strictly heterosexual relationships, in which, apart from Hugh, there should not have been any other men, was considered completely natural.
With second wife Kimberly and sons, 1994 However, three years later, Hugh finally decided to settle down. And the number seven was reduced to a confident three: Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson. The first has always been considered his "main" girlfriend. Girlfriend number one. In second place, he put the beautiful Bridget, Kendra, the youngest of them, completed the beautiful trio. Everyone accepted these rules of the game - it was impossible otherwise. And Hef would probably have continued this mathematical leapfrog of adding and subtracting girls from his life and bed, if not for his acquaintance with Crystal Harris.
Crystal Harris He first saw her at his mansion at an All Saints' Day party in 2008. But then no spark ran between them. Then Hef really became interested. He found out that twenty-two-year-old Crystal Harris is a British model and a certified psychologist, that she moved to California with her two sisters, her mother, an artist, and her father, a musician, as a child. And what - how strange! “She never even dreamed of Playboy. And since Hugh was used to making his own and other people's dreams come true, he could not refuse this beauty.
He offered her a shoot for a magazine ... a year later, that is, in December 2009. Yes, the competition was serious, and Hef made no exceptions for Krystal. However, this principle applied only to business - all three mistresses were defeated, because the eighty-three-year-old Hefner lost his head. And the first gift to her beloved was a charming Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy named Charlie.
Hugh Hefner and Crystal wedding Here he, by the way, just woke up - a lazy, very friendly creature instantly jumped into Crystal's arms.
“It's one o'clock, Charlie! How much can you sleep?
The dog licked her hands and climbed to kiss.
“Hey, stop it. This is my wife,” Hef interrupted. Shall we see Casablanca tonight?
Crystal laughed and got up from the couch.
– Hef, how exactly are we going to review it, please specify? Shall we all go for a walk together? She took Charlie on a leash.
The sun beat down mercilessly. Hef took a deep breath of hot air and looked at the view before them. He has lived in this mansion for forty-five years and feels that he can live for the same number of years. Because something new is always waiting here, you just have to step outside the threshold. He has his own forest where you can walk for hours. You can communicate with animals that roam freely around the territory. Hef brought peacocks, cranes and even monkeys here on purpose, but wild cats nailed themselves - no one knows how they got here. But Charlie, and his owners, are extremely friendly with almost tame neighbors.
Krystal and Hef on Halloween in 2015 “You know, Chris, when I walk around here, I always remember my childhood. It's such a strange feeling. I feel like I'm part of a miracle. It causes a real thrill. And the fact that you are near makes me feel very young, - he smiled and took her hand. - This is the secret of my youth - to surround myself with younger girls!
– Girls? What other girls? Crystal looked sternly at Hef.
“Oh, did I say girls?” Sorry. No more girls. Only you,” he laughed and stroked her palm, but suddenly, in a completely serious tone, asked: “Did you leave then because of this? For fear of not being the only one? I thought this was the end when I woke up and you were gone. You just packed your things and left. And most importantly, she returned Charlie to me ...
The dog looked at its owner.
– Yes, adorable, your mother decided to return you. But this is a gift. How can I return a gift?
Crystal listened and remained silent. She did not know how to better put into words what really happened then.
“Hef, that's one of the reasons. The feeling of being constantly prepared for a replacement is not the most pleasant, you know. And the second one… I wasn’t sure that I could give you the love you deserve, that my love is exactly what you need,” Krystal was visibly nervous, and the dog kept rushing off the leash somewhere into the thicket.
“Now I finally understood it,” Hef stopped. And that's exactly what I've always been looking for. In everything I've done in my life. In the whole sexual revolution that I happen to have created. I didn't want to be a millionaire, and I didn't even want to be a married man. All I wanted was to love and be loved. Nothing else. And fate sent me the perfect gift, even at the end of my life. And you know how I love films with a happy ending!
Hugh with Crystal and son Marston No one is surprised by the fact that the creator of the world's most popular erotic publication never suffered from a lack of female attention and enjoyed tremendous popularity among the opposite sex. Despite his line of work and his surroundings of thousands of beauties, Hef, as Hugh liked to call himself, was a good husband, a family man and father, who even spent the last minutes of his life in the company of relatives.
Mildred Williams
The first legal wife of the conqueror of women's hearts was his classmate named Mildred Williams. The marriage of Hefner and his wife was concluded in 1949, it lasted a long 10 years, during which Millie gave birth young journalist two children: daughter Christy and son David Paul. Unfortunately, the couple could not get along - Mildred filed for divorce, took the children and gave the press a reason for the scandal, saying that Hugh turned out to be a real tyrant and raised his hand to her more than once.
Hefner's 30 years of bachelorhood after divorcing his first wife ends in 1989, when the now middle-aged publisher marries a model named Kimberly Conrad. This marriage of the founder of Playboy lasted exactly twice as long as the previous one, but in fact the couple had not been together since 1999. The reason was Hef's hot temper and Kimberly's jealousy. During the marriage, two more children were born in the Hefner family: Marston and Cooper. Later, in one of his interviews, Hugh will emphasize that in none of his marriages he has ever cheated on any of his wives.
In 2010, rumors spread in the press that the world's main playboy was preparing for his third wedding with model Crystal Harris, but the blonde changed her mind and the celebration fell through. Crystal admitted that intimacy with the elderly Hugh did not suit her, and she was afraid of responsibility.
Two years later, the insatiable ladies' man still won the hand of a young beauty. At the time of the wedding, Hugh was 86 years old, and his wife was already 60 years younger. As a wedding gift, the bride received a huge country house with an area of 557 square meters. m. worth more than $ 5 million. Also during the marriage, the couple signed an agreement that Harris would not be included in her husband's will, and his inheritance would be divided among the children, and some would go to charity.
Hugh Hefner's Favorite Bunnies
In addition to the three wives in the life of a man like Hef, of course, there was a colossal number of women whom he affectionately called bunnies in honor of the main symbol of his magazine. They accompanied Hugh to different periods his bachelor life, brightening up Hefner's loneliness between marriages.
Tina is a classic Playboy beauty who was involved with Hugh in the early 2000s. The girl became the model of the year in 2002 and is considered one of the canonical female images magazine.
Sitting alongside Tina, Kendra is one of Mr. Playboy's three most famous bunnies. Barely an adult busty blonde with a snow-white smile appeared in Hefner's mansion in 2004 to celebrate his birthday, as he immediately spotted the beauty. On the offer to stay and live with the king of erotic journalism, Wilkinson agreed without hesitation. Later, when the girl left the mansion with several friends, she admitted to the press that she had long dreamed of returning to normal life.
The three reference “bunnies” are closed by Holly Madison, who was brought to Hefner’s bedroom at that time by the main girl in his mansion, Tina Jordan. Platinum hair color, huge breasts and a pretty face, which plastic surgeons later worked on - all the standards of the classic Playboy model were met, and Holly became part of the community until 2008.
Bridget was the most public of all the residents of the Hefner mansion. In the company of this charming blonde, Hugh took part in a reality show that told the viewer about the secrets of life in a mysterious mansion of debauchery. The girl left Hef's possessions in the company of her friend Holly Madison in 2009.
One of the few girls in Hugh Hefner's army of brunettes, Ukrainian model Daria Astafieva, has always been the reason for the jealousy of his bride Krystal. The girl received an invitation to the Playboy mansion personally from the owner when he saw her photo shoot in one of the magazines. Daria left Hef's "family" after Hugh announced her engagement to Harris.
Twins Carissa and Christina arrived at Hef's house in late 2008 and immediately became one of the hottest contestants on the show, which skyrocketed in ratings with the arrival of the girls.
What a colorful and full of charming women the life of a journalist who has devoted many years to working on his favorite business can be. Despite the fact that Hugh himself is no longer alive, his magazine will leave the memory of this man in the hearts of fans and ordinary men who are not indifferent to female beauty.
Received a degree in psychology
Publishing was not Hefner's first passion. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He also excelled at literary creativity and art, which influenced in one way or another his later studies.
His IQ was very high
He reportedly had an IQ of 152 while in school.
Helped save the Hollywood icon twice
When the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce decided in 1978 that the famous sign needed restoration, Hefner supported the decision. He hosted a fundraising gala at the Playboy Mansion where each letter was auctioned off for $27,700. In 2010, the owners of the site on which the inscription was installed (a group of investors from Chicago) intended to dismantle the sign and give the area for residential development. They were ready to give up this venture for $12.5 million. After Hefner donated $90,000 to an initiative group to save the Hollywood symbol, the required amount was raised.
Served in the US Army during World War II
In 1944, Hefner served in an infantry regiment as a military clerk. He was engaged in drawing cartoons and illustrations for the army newspaper. He remained in the army until 1946 and was sent to the reserve with honors.
He suffered a lot
While he was in the army, he found out that his first wife, Mildred, had been cheating on him. He admitted: "It was the saddest moment of my life."
Worked for Esquire magazine
In 1951, Hefner worked in the advertising department of Esquire magazine. He did not last long and left after 12 months. The reason, allegedly, was the refusal of management to raise his salary. Shortly thereafter, he created Playboy, a magazine now sold in 20 countries.
Created the first issue of Playboy on the kitchen table
The first issue of the magazine was published in 1953. In Hefner's own words, "All it took was a desk, a typewriter, and myself." There was no date on the cover of the issue, which flaunted the famous Marilyn Monroe, because it was not known whether the next issue of the magazine would be published.
Endangered rabbit species named after him
The Lower Keys rabbit found in Florida has been endangered since the 1990s. The study of the species was undertaken by James D. Lazell, and the creator of Playboy kindly agreed to fund the study. In turn, the Latin name Sylvilagus palustris hefneri, the breed of these rabbits received in honor of Hefner in gratitude for his support.
Distant cousin of John Kerry and George W. Bush
Hefner was a distant cousin of former Secretary of State John Kerry and an equally distant cousin of former President George W. Bush.
He holds two world records
His first world record was that only he could boast of the longest career as editor-in-chief of the same magazine. Another record was given to him for having the largest collection of personal clippings (2400 volumes).
Experimented with bisexuality
After his first marriage ended in the early 1960s, Hefner reportedly experimented with his sexuality. In 1971, he admitted that he had had a bisexual experience. At the time, such recognition was something unheard of.
hearing problems
In old age, Hefner began to abuse "Viagra" to feel like a man in the bedroom. Because of this, his hearing deteriorated. It is said that towards the end of his life he heard almost nothing, but this did not bother him too much. One of his former mistresses said: "Sex for him was more important than hearing."
He didn't own the Playboy Mansion
In 2016, Hefner sold his luxury home to his neighbor Daren Methopoulos for $100 million "on the condition that Hefner be allowed to live there for the rest of his days."
He was buried next to Marilyn Monroe
Hefner found his last refuge next to the woman who stood at the origins of his successful career - Marilyn Monroe. The crypt, located near the resting place of the actress, was bought back in 1992 for $75,000.
