While there have been many rumors in the past of the passing of the pop culture icon Hugh Hefner, sadly this time the rumors are true. Hugh Hefner was surrounded by his family at the Playboy Mansion when he passed away yesterday of natural causes.
Who was Hugh Hefner
Hugh built an empire based on sex and free speech that helped shape the sexual culture of the 20th century. He promised “humor, sophistication, and spice” and he followed through with that promise. From the very first issues featuring a nude Marilyn Monroe, through the safe for work year, and even as the magazine “reclaimed who we are,” in 2016 playboy has staid relevant and striven to evolve as society has. Hugh’s son Cooper Hefner words couldn’t be truer.
“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.”
The Official statement from Playboy Enterprises, Inc. was released Wednesday night.
“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.” Hefner is survived by his wife Crystal and four grown children: Christie, who served as CEO of Playboy Enterprise for more than 20 years; David, Marston and Cooper, the latter of whom currently serves as Chief Creative Officer at the company.
R.I.P. Mr. Hefner, thank you for teaching all of us to live life with a bang!
