Hefner became the face of sexual revolution in 1953 after he released the first issue of Playboy magazine with Marilyn Monroe's nude images on the cover. He created a famous brand that defined sexual culture for several generations and will echo in popular culture for decades to come.
© AFP 2023 / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Charley GallayThis file photo taken on January 15, 2014 shows Hugh Hefner posing during Playboy's 60th Anniversary special event in Los Angeles, California.
This file photo taken on January 15, 2014 shows Hugh Hefner posing during Playboy's 60th Anniversary special event in Los Angeles, California.
© AFP 2023 / Pascal GuyotPlayboy magazine president Hugh Hefner (center) poses with playmates on May 14, 1999, on the steps of the Palais des Festivals before the screening of the movie "Entrapment" in selection for the 52nd Cannes Film Festival.
Playboy magazine president Hugh Hefner (center) poses with playmates on May 14, 1999, on the steps of the Palais des Festivals before the screening of the movie "Entrapment" in selection for the 52nd Cannes Film Festival.
© AP Photo / Ed KitchIn this June 20, 1961 file photo, Playboy magazine publisher Hugh Hefner poses with "bunny-girl" hostess Bonnie J. Halpin at Hefner's nightclub in Chicago.
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© AP Photo / Ed Kitch
In this June 20, 1961 file photo, Playboy magazine publisher Hugh Hefner poses with "bunny-girl" hostess Bonnie J. Halpin at Hefner's nightclub in Chicago.
© AP Photo / Chris PizzelloHefner (left) accepts the Alpha Male award as Jeremy Piven (center) and Snoop Dogg look on during the Spike TV "Guys Choice" awards in Culver City, California, on May 30, 2008.
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© AP Photo / Chris Pizzello
Hefner (left) accepts the Alpha Male award as Jeremy Piven (center) and Snoop Dogg look on during the Spike TV "Guys Choice" awards in Culver City, California, on May 30, 2008.
© AP Photo / Laurent ReboursPlayboy founder Hugh Hefner blows out candles on his 75th birthday cake while unidentified "playmates" look on at the American pavilion in Cannes, France, on May 12, 2001.
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© AP Photo / Laurent Rebours
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner blows out candles on his 75th birthday cake while unidentified "playmates" look on at the American pavilion in Cannes, France, on May 12, 2001.
© AFP 2023 / Lucy NicholsonThis file photo taken on February 26, 2002, shows Hugh Hefner (left) arriving for the 44th Annual Grammy Awards with Playboy playmate Zoe Gregory (right) in Los Angeles, California.
This file photo taken on February 26, 2002, shows Hugh Hefner (left) arriving for the 44th Annual Grammy Awards with Playboy playmate Zoe Gregory (right) in Los Angeles, California.
© AP Photo / LoundyBunny Betsy (left) feeds Hugh Hefner (right) a piece of congratulatory cake after he was awarded the 1,716th star on the Hollywood walk of fame, on April 9, 1980, Los Angeles, California.
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© AP Photo / Loundy
Bunny Betsy (left) feeds Hugh Hefner (right) a piece of congratulatory cake after he was awarded the 1,716th star on the Hollywood walk of fame, on April 9, 1980, Los Angeles, California.
© AFP 2023 / Vince BucciHefner (right) touches his wax figure designed using 3-D imaging after a ceremony at the Hollywood Wax Museum February 20, 2001, in Hollywood.
Hefner (right) touches his wax figure designed using 3-D imaging after a ceremony at the Hollywood Wax Museum February 20, 2001, in Hollywood.
© AP Photo / Mark J. TerrillPlayboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner sits with January 2000 Playmates Carol (left) and Darlene Bernaola, on December 2, 1999, at his home in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. The twins were chosen from more than 18,000 candidates who interviewed with Playboy.
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© AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill
Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner sits with January 2000 Playmates Carol (left) and Darlene Bernaola, on December 2, 1999, at his home in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. The twins were chosen from more than 18,000 candidates who interviewed with Playboy.
© AP Photo / Kevork DjansezianHugh Hefner (left) chats with a Playboy playmate as they attend the Los Angeles Dodgers' and Cincinnati Reds' baseball game at Dodger Stadium on August 2, 2001, in Los Angeles.
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© AP Photo / Kevork Djansezian
Hugh Hefner (left) chats with a Playboy playmate as they attend the Los Angeles Dodgers' and Cincinnati Reds' baseball game at Dodger Stadium on August 2, 2001, in Los Angeles.
© AP Photo / Damian DovarganesPlayboy’s editor-in-chief and chief creative officer, Hugh Hefner, poses for a photo at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles on April 5, 2007.
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© AP Photo / Damian Dovarganes
Playboy’s editor-in-chief and chief creative officer, Hugh Hefner, poses for a photo at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles on April 5, 2007.