Playboy Model Crystal Hefner Reveals She Was Never Actually ‘In Love’ With Late Husband Hugh Hefner

Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy, passed away in 2017 at 91 from sepsis. 

A few years later, the documentary "Secrets of Playboy" aired, featuring startling claims from former Playboy employees, a Playmate, and an ex-girlfriend.

Crystal, Hefner's third wife, married him in 2012 and stayed with him until his death in 2017. 

In her upcoming memoir "Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself," she plans to discuss the 'toxic objectification and misogyny' she experienced. 

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The book aims to shed light on life inside The Playboy Mansion, which, according to her, wasn't as glamorous as portrayed.

Ahead of her memoir's release, Crystal shared with People her reflections on her time at the mansion. 

She accepted Hefner's invitation in October 2008, recalling, "At the time I thought I was on top."

"I thought, ‘Wow, if I just like everything that he likes and do all the things that he wants me to do, then I’m the favorite.’ And I was, but I just lost myself in the process."

Hefner proposed to Crystal on Christmas Eve 2010. 

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She initially accepted but later ran away, realizing the significant power imbalance in their relationship. 

"It seemed like a world of success and fantasy, but everyone's having to sleep with an 80-year-old. There's a price. Everything has a price."

While Crystal acknowledges that she loved Hefner, she clarifies that she was never 'in love' with him. 

In his final years, she served more as his caregiver. 

The title of her memoir, "Only Say Good Things," was inspired by Hefner's request for her to 'continue my legacy going forward' and 'to only say good things about me'.

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Crystal also commented on the state of the Playboy Mansion. 

Contrary to its glamorous depiction on TV, she described it as poorly maintained, feeling 'kind of run down and gross after a while'. 

"Too, too many parties. It was worn out," she said.

She further alleged that Hefner was 'controlling' over the girls in his house, dictating their appearance down to details like nail polish color. 

He would point out when her roots were showing, prompting her to bleach her hair to the point of burning her scalp.

In response to these and other allegations, Playboy, now dissociated from the Hefner family, told UNILAD: 

"The Hefner family is no longer associated with Playboy, and today’s Playboy is not Hugh Hefner’s Playboy."

"Today, our organization is run by a workforce that is more than 80% female, and we will continue to confront any parts of our legacy that do not reflect our values today, and to build upon the progress we have made as we evolve as a company so we can drive positive change for our employees and our communities."