Hugh Marston Hefner (April 9, 1926 – September 27, 2017) was an American magazine publisher best known as the founder and editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine, which featured revealing photographs and provocative articles. Hefner expanded the Playboy brand into a global empire through Playboy Clubs.
He lived in luxurious mansions with Playboy Playmates, hosting wild parties that captured intense media attention. Hefner became a cultural icon, symbolizing the sexual revolution, and left a lasting impact on media, entertainment, and lifestyle branding.
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Marston Hefner Net Worth
Hugh Hefner had a net worth of $50 million at his death in September 2017. His will included a condition that any child who “frequently uses or consumes illegal substances” would be removed from the trust.
On January 24, 2022, the documentary Secrets of Playboy aired on A&E, exploring the Playboy empire. In response to emerging allegations, Playboy released a statement distancing itself from Hefner, affirming support for the women who shared their experiences.
Early life
Hugh Hefner was born in Chicago on April 9, 1926, to Glenn Lucius Hefner and Grace Caroline (Swanson) Hefner, both from Nebraska. His father was an accountant, his mother a teacher of Swedish ancestry; his father had German and English roots. He had a younger brother, Keith Hefner.
A descendant of Governor William Bradford, Hefner described his Methodist, Midwestern family as conservative. He attended Sayre Elementary, Steinmetz High, served in the Army (1944–1946), and earned a psychology degree at the University of Illinois in 1949.
Career
In January 1952, Hugh Hefner left his job as a copywriter at Esquire after being denied a $5 raise. In 1953, he raised $8,000 from 45 investors, including $1,000 from his mother, to launch Playboy, originally named Stag Party.
The first issue, published in December 1953, featured Marilyn Monroe from a 1949 nude calendar shoot. Hefner never paid Monroe or met her but later bought the crypt next to hers. In 1955, Playboy published Charles Beaumont’s rejected story “The Crooked Man,” sparking controversy. In 1961, Hefner hired comedian Dick Gregory at the Chicago Playboy Club, launching his career.
Personal life
Hugh Hefner, known as “Hef” to friends and family, married Mildred “Millie” Williams in 1949. They had two children: Christie (b. 1952) and David (b. 1955). Mildred confessed to an affair during his army service, which Hefner called “the most devastating moment” of his life. They divorced in 1959.
Hefner embraced a bon vivant lifestyle, admitting relationships with many Playmates like Donna Michelle, Marilyn Cole, and Barbi Benton. In 1971, he acknowledged bisexual experimentation and acquired the Playboy Mansion West in Los Angeles, moving there in 1975.
Who inherited Hugh Hefner’s money?
Hugh Hefner’s fortune, valued at around $43 million at the time of his passing, was divided among his four children—Christie, David, Marston, and Cooper—along with donations to USC School of Cinematic Arts and several organizations, as well as his widow, Crystal Harris.
Conclusion
Marston Hefner’s life reflects both the shadow and the light of his father’s monumental legacy. As he navigates his path in the worlds of business and literature, Marston continues to redefine what it means to be a Hefner in the modern era. With a keen interest in writing and a creative spirit, he is writing a new chapter in the storied Hefner family history.
FAQs about Marston Hefner
- What does Marston Hefner do for a living?
- Marston Hefner is a writer, editor, and businessman. He has worked for Playboy.com and is the founder of Young Magazine.
- Is Marston Hefner active on social media?
- Marston maintains a private life and is not widely active on mainstream social media platforms.
- Has Marston Hefner published any books?
- While Marston has contributed to literary magazines and online platforms, specific details about published books are not widely known.
- What is Marston Hefner’s relationship with his siblings?
- Marston shares a bond with his siblings, though they each have pursued different paths in life and careers.
- How did Marston Hefner’s upbringing in the Playboy Mansion influence his career?
- Growing up in the Playboy Mansion exposed Marston to a world of entertainment and literature, influencing his interest in writing and leading him to pursue a career distinct from the Playboy brand.
