Playboy Magazine Founder Hugh Hefner Dead at 91

Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy Magazine died yesterday of natural causes. He was 91. Hefner was born in 1926 in Chicago, IL. In 1953, Hefner borrowed money from friends and family and even put his furniture on loan to create the first edition of Playboy Magazine, whose cover featured Marilyn Monroe. That year, he launched Playboy Enterprises Inc., a media and lifestyle company, where he served as board member until his death.

Playboy Magazine is known for its articles from famous writers such as Margaret Atwood and John Updike, as well as its covers that featured some of the world's most beautiful women.

Playboy shared the news late last night on their Twitter account.

Hefner divorced his first wife Mildred Williams in 1959. They share two children, daughter Christie and son David. After Hefner suffered a stroke in 1985, Christie took more responsibility as President and later CEO of Playboy, until she departed the company in 2009. David, who is now the Chief Creative Officer of Playboy, released the following statement about his father to People Magazine.

"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. He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises," he said.

Hefner purchased the iconic Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in 1971 where he resided until his death. The Mansion is known for housing many women in his mansion, including Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson. The lives of these women and Hefner were documented in GIRLS NEXT DOOR on E! for six seasons.

In 1989, Hefner married his second wife Kimberely Conrad, with whom he shares two children, Marston and Cooper. They divorced in 2010. Hefner married his third wife, Crystal Hefner in 2012.

Celebrities have been pouring in their tributes via twitter. Take a look at what people, like Kim Kardashian, have to say about the icon.

He is survived by his wife Crystal and his four children.

Photos by RD/ Kabik/ Retna Digital

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