The name Hugh Hefner is known worldwide. A talented journalist, publisher, and founder of the iconic magazine Playboy, Hefner was the first to usher in an era of sexual revolution in the media world, as reported by chicago1.one.
A Difficult Childhood
Hugh was born on April 9, 1926, in Chicago. It’s hard to say that Hefner had a happy childhood. Growing up in a religious family, he was raised strictly according to Protestant values. His parents, Grace and Glenn, were devout Protestants, following strict traditions laid out by their faith.
They rarely interacted with others, worked hard, and condemned intimate relationships, believing that closeness between a man and a woman was solely for procreation. Additionally, cigarettes and alcohol were strictly forbidden in their home.
In many interviews, Hefner shared that his father loved God so deeply that he would even seek the pastor’s advice on the smallest household matters.
Hefner’s parents controlled his every step, urging him to lead a self-sacrificial and ascetic life. They also forbade him from making friends, thinking that new acquaintances would lead to trouble.
While neighborhood kids spent their days playing football outside, young Hugh could only watch from his window, dreaming of a day spent without his parents’ constant supervision. Movies were also forbidden, as his parents considered an interest in films to be sinful.
Books were a refuge for Hefner, and he constantly read them. His mother insisted he stick to books from the school curriculum, but he managed to sneak a copy of Edgar Allan Poe into the house, which left a deep impression on him. As he got older, he began studying works by Sigmund Freud, Alfred Kinsey, and others.
At school, teachers quickly noticed his love for literature and writing talent, predicting a successful future in journalism. Academic subjects, however, were difficult for him, as he lacked diligence and patience.
In 1944, after graduating from high school, Hefner was drafted into the army. There, he began working as a war correspondent and noticed that postcards featuring semi-nude women were popular among soldiers—revealing a potential business opportunity.
After his service, Hugh enrolled at the University of Illinois to study psychology.
The Legendary Magazine
Hefner’s interest in publishing began during his college years, when he first conceived of Playboy. While studying, he worked for the magazine Shaft and even published a satirical comic book, That Toddlin’ Town, describing life in the metropolis of Chicago. However, he quickly grew tired of the creative work and found a job as an advertising manager at a plastics company.
In 1951, Hefner became an editor at Esquire, a men’s magazine covering business, politics, and fashion. However, he eventually left the job, as it didn’t pay enough.
In 1953, Hefner’s dream came true: his own magazine, Playboy, was launched. Few know that his journey to creating an erotic magazine was challenging and full of obstacles. To fund Playboy, he took a second job at a bank, where he earned $600, and borrowed the remaining $9,000 from investors and his mother.
Before the initial print run of Playboy (70,000 copies), Hefner was uncertain whether it would pass censorship or gain popularity among men. To hedge his bets, he left the debut issue unnumbered.
Success, however, came quickly: within the first week, a quarter of the issue’s copies were sold. The magazine’s erotic content was just the surface; its pages also featured celebrity interviews and serious topics.
Hefner soon became a millionaire, purchased a luxurious mansion, and married young beauty Crystal Harris, despite their 60-year age gap.
Later Years and Legacy
In his final years, Hefner led an active life. Despite his age, he frequently hosted extravagant parties with showbiz stars. In 2017, Hugh Hefner passed away, leaving a generous inheritance to his wife.