The entertainment world was rocked by the passing of Hugh Hefner, the man behind Playboy magazine. A game-changer in the publishing industry, Hef passed away peacefully in his home in Los Angeles with family members by his side. He was 91.
"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," Cooper Hefner, Playboy Enterprises' chief creative officer and Hugh's son, said in the statement. "He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history,” they added. Now, more details are coming out about the process of laying Hefner to rest and, as per a report from TMZ, the publishing magnate's crypt will reside next to another Hollywood icon.
The report states that Hefner's "better place" will be right next to that of Marilyn Monroe, one of the most beloved actresses and sex symbols of the last century. In fact, she helped him get Playboy off the ground back in 1953, helping to raise the publication's profile while also enhancing her own sexual mystique at the same time. Hef supposedly bought the crypt back in 1992 for $75,000 - the space is located in L.A.'s Westwood Village Memorial Park. Of the decision, he supposedly once said that, "Spending an eternity next to Marilyn is too sweet to pass up."
Hugh Hefner was known for his ability to have some of the most iconic women in show business to pose for the cover of his magazine, with names that include Cindy Crawford, Kim Basinger, Pamela Anderson, Madonna, Sharon Stone, Naomi Campbell, Carmen Electra, Drew Barrymore and even Kim Kardashian. The ladies' man was married three separate times: to his high school sweetheart Mildred Williams in 1949, then to former Playmate of the Year Kimberly Conrad in 1989, and finally to Crystal Hefner (31) in 2012. He was also known for his relationship with longtime girlfriend Holly Madison. He has 4 children who will help carry on his legacy - Christine and David from his first marriage and Marston and Cooper from his second marriage.
