All round
Hugh Hefner fought to be buried next to Marilyn Monroe
Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine, passed away at his home, The Playboy Mansion, in the early hours of September 28.
He died peacefully from natural causes at the age of 91.
The first edition of Playboy, published in 1953, featured a set of nude photographs of Marilyn Monroe, which had originally been shot for a 1949 calendar.
Hefner attributed much of his early success to the inclusion of the iconic model’s picture.
It has now emerged that Hefner will be buried next to Monroe at the Westwood Village cemetery in Los Angeles.
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He reportedly purchased the crypt back in 1992 for $75,000.
The cemetery is the final resting place of other Hollywood celebrities, including Dean Martin, Roy Orbison, and Truman Capote.
Following Hefner’s death, Playboy released a statement paying tribute to the American icon who had built the magazine into one of the most recognizable American global brands in history.
The statement said that Hefner had surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing.
A host of stars paid tribute to Hefner, including Gene Simmons, Kim Kardashian West, Paris Hilton, actor Rob Lowe, and Jenny McCarthy.
Hefner began publishing Playboy in his kitchen at home in 1953.
It became the largest-selling men’s magazine in the world, with a peak circulation of seven million copies per month.
The magazine featured interviews with a range of influential figures, including John Lennon, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro.
The adult magazine also published nude photos of its famous Playboy Bunnies, as well as shots of stars such as Pamela Anderson, Kate Moss, Madonna, and Cindy Crawford.
Hefner’s legacy as a cultural icon has been both celebrated and criticized, with many arguing that he helped to liberate women’s sexuality while others have accused him of objectifying women.
In 2012, Hefner married his third wife Crystal Harris, who was 60 years his junior. The couple remained married until Hefner’s death.
Despite his advancing age, Hefner remained an active presence on social media, regularly sharing photos of himself with fans and promoting his brand.
Hugh Hefner’s impact on American culture cannot be overstated. He helped to define an era of sexual liberation and free expression that continues to influence society to this day.
His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.