Playboy founder, publishing giant and cultural icon Hugh Hefner has passed away at 91. According to the New York Times, he went peacefully at his home, the infamous Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles on Wednesday (September 27).
His death was announced by Playboy Enterprises.
American Icon and Playboy Founder, Hugh M. Hefner passed away today. He was 91. #RIPHefpic.twitter.com/tCLa2iNXa4
— Playboy (@Playboy) September 28, 2017
After leaving his job as a copy editor at Esquire in 1952, the Chicago native took out a $600 bank loan, borrowed $1,000 from his mother and raised an additional $7,000 to launch Playboy Magazine. The first issued was published in 1953 when Hefner was 27-years-old. Circulation of the publication reached one million by 1960 and peaked at around seven million in the ’70s.
AD LOADING...
The rest is history.
Hef, as he was commonly referred to, became synonymous with the Playboy brand. He was renowned for his infamous parties at the Playboy Mansion and consistently mingled with the entertainment world’s biggest celebrities.
Social media erupted with tributes and countless Hip Hop artists took to Twitter to send their condolences, including Questlove, Juicy J, Cypress Hill’s B-Real, iLoveMakonnen, Blockhead and TM88.
RIP Hugh Hefner I went to so many of his parties at the Playboy mansion it was legendary you will never be forgotten
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) September 28, 2017
There's only 2 players left me and Larry Flynt R.I.P Hugh Hefner
— LUTHER R CAMPBELL (@unclelukereal1) September 28, 2017
RIP to the OG #HughHefner ?? pic.twitter.com/AVXwKU1V4A
— Mike Epps (@TheRealMikeEpps) September 28, 2017
R.i.p Hugh Hefner the legend
— TM88 (@TM88) September 28, 2017
R.I.P. to the legend Hugh Hefner pic.twitter.com/0WopDrAH1h
— D12 (@D12) September 28, 2017
Rip the ultimate playboy Hugh Hefner. ??
— Dr. Greenthumb ™ (@B_Real) September 28, 2017
My dad gave me a subscription to playboy when I was 13 cause he was an artist who believed the female body was to be revered and respected.
— Blockhead (@BlockheadNYC) September 28, 2017
I feel like Hugh Hefner died in a 19 person orgy where he was the only male. Dude busted a nut and his soul ascended.
What a way to go.
— 6 (@visecs) September 28, 2017
RIP Hugh Hefner the legend of all legends ?
— I Love Makonnen (@iLoveMakonnen5D) September 28, 2017
Hugh Hefner wanted intellectuals, athletes, journalists, musicians, comedians, actors to all interact & have a dialogue. With pretty women.
— Dart_Adams (@Dart_Adams) September 28, 2017
RIP Hugh Hefner 91, lived the most amazing life. I loved coming to your house so many times
— Page Kennedy (@PageKennedy) September 28, 2017
Salute Your favorite Stickmans favorite StickMan!
HughHefnerRIP pic.twitter.com/oNjJBGmWmB— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) September 28, 2017
