Hugh Hefner, Playboy magazine founder, bon-vivant and all-around icon, died Wednesday Sept. 27 at age 91. We at SNOW appreciate all Hef did for Skiing & Snow Bunnies the world over.

Hefner died of natural causes at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by family, according to The Associated Press.

His son, Cooper Hefner, chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, released a statement that was being shared on social media:

“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.”

Playboy’s first issue was published in 1953 with photos of a young, naked Marilyn Monroe. Within five years, its circulation had reached 1 million. By 1970, it had reached seven million readers.

By 2015 – With the internet age making naked women no longer a forbidden fruit – Playboy stopped publishing nudes.

 

 Hugh Hefner with Mary Warren in Aspen, Dec 1967 via Hugh Hefner Twitter

 

 

Playboy Cover November 1958