Hugh Hefner Net Worth

To most people, the Playboy mogul didn’t need an introduction. While he was alive, his association with the Playboy franchise followed him wherever he went. He made numerous cameo appearances, both in-person and as a voice actor, and was famously almost always seen wearing a bathrobe. 

However, many people don’t know the man behind the Playboy magazine, especially regarding his net worth. The Hugh Hefner net worth calculations ceased, of course, with his death in 2017, but when he was alive, his achievements kept him fairly well compensated, albeit commensurate with the steep rent price at the Playboy Mansion. 

What is Hugh Hefner’s Net Worth?

At the time of his death, Hefner was determined to be worth $50 million. 

The Playboy mogul made many appearances in Hollywood, from shows like The Simpsons, Sex and the City, Family Guy, and many more. His acting credits include Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Bernie Mac Show, Just Shoot Me, Blossom, Laverne & Shirley, and The House Bunny. 

When calculating the peak Hugh Hefner net worth, the man was worth over $200 million. Celebrities such as Ed Sheeran, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, P!nk, and Vin Diesel are worth about that much now. 

Who is Hugh Hefner?

Hefner was born in Chicago, Illinois to Glenn Lucius Hefner and Grace Caroline Hefner. His younger brother’s name is Keith. He attended Northwestern University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1949. 

The Playboy mogul’s relationships have been the subject of many conversations. Hefner married Mildred Williams in 1949. After 10 years of marriage, they divorced. His two children from that marriage are daughter Christie Hefner and son David Hefner. A second failed marriage began in 1989, with Kimberley Conrad. With Kimberley, he had two sons, Cooper Hefner and Marston Hefner. They divorced in 2010. He then got engaged to Crystal Harris that same year, but she broke it off before the ceremony could occur. However, they later got married in 2012 and were married until his death in 2017. 

Hefner experienced a stroke in 1985, but it was ultimately natural causes that led to his death. Hugh Hefner died in September of 2017 at the age of 91. 

How Did Hugh Hefner Make His Money?

The Playboy mogul made his money from the Playboy Enterprises venture he started after quitting Esquire. As his fame grew, he made more money from several other sources, from guest appearances, including those appearances Hugh Hefner voiced, to investments and the sale of the Playboy Mansion. 

Hefner founded Playboy Enterprises in 1953. The “Playboy Bunny” term describes the scantily-clad hostesses of the clubs Hefner was associated with. 

The iconic Playboy Mansion is nearly as famous as the Playboy mogul himself. Many of the TV series that centers around Playboy at one point or another end up at the Playboy Mansion, most often in the Playboy Penthouse. 

Playboy Magazine

This magazine is arguably what allowed the Playboy mogul to gain his celebrity status, among many other ventures. Though the magazine was started in the early 1950s, it wasn’t until the 1960s and ‘70s that it gained major popularity. Besides provocative photos of naked women, Playboy also featured many in-depth interviews with celebrities of the time and short stories. The pictures were the magazine’s feature, but they also included written content.  

Key Facts About the Playboy Mogul

You might have known the popular image of Hefner from what the media portrayed of him, but after his death, many of the skeletons in his closet are coming to light. 

For example, when Hefner passed, he only owned 35% of the Playboy brand. However, he owned 100% of the print magazine, which was rumored to be on its way out. After all, with the internet full of images that you don’t need to pay for access to (and some you do), a print magazine has headed the way of newspapers. 

Many people don’t know that Hefner was an army writer for a military newspaper from 1944-1946. He began working for Esquire in 1952. The story goes that he asked for a $5 raise, and when his request was denied, he quit. A year later, the first issue of Playboy was published. 

Another well-told story about the beginnings of Playboy references the $1,000 check Hefner received from his mother for the funding of Playboy Enterprises. Many have remarked about her funding such a controversial undertaking, but many interviews point more towards her son’s support rather than a dedicated interest in his particular venture. 

However, her investment paid off quite quickly, as the first issue of Playboy sold over 50,000 copies. Issues continued each month after that, with the tradition of “Miss January” and so forth beginning soon after. In 2019, Playboy altered its monthly publication schedule to reduce the issue count per year to only 4. 

Though Marilyn Monroe was the first Playboy Bunny, gracing the cover of the first edition, it is reported that Hefner and Monroe never actually met.

General audiences dismiss the lurid Playboy magazine, but many do not know that short stories from several popular authors were published within those pages. For example, authors such as Roald Dahl and Margaret Atwood were featured in the magazine. Even Ian Fleming’s infamous James Bond series can be sourced back to Playboy. 

The Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, California, is over 21,000 square feet. Hefner reportedly paid $1 million yearly in rent for himself and his many girlfriends and house guests. The Playboy Mansion was sold in 2016 for $110 million. 

Many TV shows were made with Playboy Enterprises as their subject. Early shows included Playboy’s Penthouse from 1959-1960 and Playboy After Dark from 1969-1970. 

What’s Next for Hugh Hefner?

He is entombed at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, next to Marilyn Monroe. Now, Hefner paid for that specific plot back in 1992. 

The Playboy mogul’s four children inherited Hugh Hefner’s money after his death. They sold his shares for around $35 million, which they also split with his wife, Crystal. Hefner bought a house with Crystal, but she sold it for $5 million after Hefner’s death.   

Hugh Hefner FAQs

What was Hugh Hefner’s net worth?

Hefner’s net worth was $50 million. 

How much money did Hefner earn?

The founder of Playboy earned roughly $3.5 million per year. 

How old was Hefner?

Hefner was 91 years old when he died on September 27, 2017. 

When is Hugh Hefner’s birthday?

He was born on April 9, 1926.

Hugh Hefner FAQs