ULTIMATE PLAYBOY DIES AT MANSION
PLAYBOY founder Hugh Hefner will be laid to rest next to America’s first “Playmate” Marilyn Monroe after his death at the age of 91.
The publishing tycoon reserved the plot at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles next to the actress.
Monroe was 36 when she died of a drug overdose in 1962. She was the cover model for the first issue of Playboy in 1953, which sold millions of copies.
Hefner once said: “There’s something rather poetic in the fact we’ll be buried in the same place.”
The legendary mogul died “peacefully” and “surrounded by loved ones” on Wednesday at his famous Playboy Mansion in LA, a party spot with celebrities for decades.
Lavish
He helped usher in the 1960s sexual revolution with his groundbreaking adult magazine, and was equally famous for his lavish lifestyle.
Following the magazine’s success, Hefner quickly built up a business empire, with Playboy nightclubs featuring “bunny” waitresses wearing bow ties, puffy cotton tails and rabbit ears.
After news of his death broke, Playboy tweeted a black-and-white photo of its creator with his famous quote: “Life is too short to be living somebody else’s dream.”
Celebrities yesterday paid tribute to Hefner.
Reality TV star and close friend Kendra Wilkinson said: “Hef changed my life. He made me the person I am today. I couldn’t be more thankful for our time together. I will miss him so much but he will be in my heart for ever.”
Singer Nancy Sinatra, who posed for Playboy in her 50s, called him “one of the nicest men I’ve ever known”.
TV star Kim Kardashian, who also stripped off for Playboy, wrote: “RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner. I’m so honoured to have been a part of the Playboy team. You will be greatly missed. Love you Hef.”
US singer Azealia Banks wrote: “It was an honour to be chosen as the first female rapper to make the cover of Playboy magazine. May your legacy live on.”
Socialite Paris Hilton wrote: “So sad to hear the news. He was a legend, innovator and one of a kind. We had so many fun memories together. I will miss him dearly.”
Actor Rob Lowe tweeted: “I had a number of great conversations with Hugh Hefner. Such an interesting man. End of an era.”
Hefner’s son Cooper, chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, said: “My father was a leading voice behind some of the most significant cultural movements of our time.
“He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston.”
But Catherine Mayer, co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party, wrote: “His version of sexual liberation was a con.
“The only freedom was for men to exploit and commodify women.”