In 2008, during a Halloween party, the former model first encountered Hugh, and they tied the knot four years later on New Year’s Eve 2012. Their marriage lasted nearly five years until Hugh passed away in September 2017.
On the third anniversary of his passing in 2020, Crystal honored Hugh with a heartfelt Instagram post. “Three years. It’s hard to believe,” she expressed in her caption. “I am grateful for your support, your lessons in kindness, and for making me feel cherished for a decade. My gratitude will last forever.”
Remembering a decade of cherished moments with Hugh Hefner, Crystal expresses her gratitude for the lessons learned and the love shared
Since Hugh’s death, Crystal has dedicated herself to healing and embracing a new chapter in her life. In January 2024, she released her memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, which reflects on her childhood and her time at the Playboy Mansion.
The title Only Say Good Things stems from a conversation she had with Hugh, in which he requested, “Once I go, when I’m gone, please only say good things about me,” as she explained to the New York Post in July 2023. “I’ve honored that promise for five years … but I’m learning that it’s okay to speak out about the things I’ve endured.”
In an interview with PEOPLE, Crystal disclosed that she never truly “fell in love” with Hugh, stating, “I realized there was a power imbalance. It seemed like a glamorous and successful world, but the reality was that everyone had to sleep with an 80-year-old. There’s always a cost. Everything comes at a price.”
Who exactly is the widow of Hugh Hefner?
Here’s an overview of Crystal Hefner and her relationship with the Playboy publisher.
Her upbringing spanned both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Born in Lake Havasu, Arizona, to British parents Lee Lovitt and Ray Harris, Crystal shared insights about her childhood during an appearance on the Tick Boot Camp podcast in December 2021.
“My parents chose to have me in America to secure citizenship, intending to return to the UK eventually,” she recounted. “My mom specifically wanted me born in Lake Havasu because of the replica London Bridge. Thus, I spent a remarkable part of my early years in England.”
After living in the U.K. for some time, Crystal and her family settled in San Diego, California. She pursued a degree in psychology at San Diego University while modeling part-time, as noted by the New York Post.
She encountered Hugh in 2008.
At 21, Crystal submitted a photo to attend a Halloween party at the Playboy Mansion, where she found common ground with Hugh in their shared interest in psychology. Shortly after, she was invited to move into the mansion, debuting in Playboy as the magazine’s December 2009 Playmate a year later.
Reflecting on that initial encounter, Crystal told PEOPLE in 2024 that it lacked the romance one might expect. “I thought if I aligned myself with his interests and fulfilled his desires, I’d be his favorite. And I was, but in that process, I lost myself,” she admitted.
Hugh proposed in 2010.
After two years of dating, Hugh and Crystal became engaged during the holiday season in 2010. The Playboy founder shared the engagement news on X (formerly Twitter).
“After the movie tonight, Crystal and I exchanged gifts. I gave her a ring. A truly memorable Christmas Eve,” he wrote. “When I presented the ring, she burst into tears. This has been the happiest Christmas weekend I can recall.”
However, just days before their planned wedding at the Playboy Mansion in June 2011, they opted to call it off.
“After considerable reflection, I’ve decided to end my engagement with Hef,” Crystal announced on her website. “I hold great respect for Hef and wish him well moving forward. I hope the media will grant us the privacy we need during this period.” In 2024, she disclosed that after ending the engagement, she briefly dated Jordan McGraw, Dr. Phil’s son.
However, Crystal and Hugh reconciled in June 2012. She confirmed this on X, expressing that she was once again Hugh’s “#1 girl” and that they were “happy.”
Their wedding took place in 2012.
Less than a year following their reconciliation, Crystal and Hugh married at the Playboy Mansion on New Year’s Eve 2012. Hugh confirmed the marriage on X, stating, “Crystal and I married on New Year’s Eve in the Mansion with Keith as my Best Man. Love that girl!”
Crystal shared her excitement on the day of their wedding, stating, “Today is the day I become Mrs. Hugh Hefner. Feeling incredibly happy, lucky, and blessed.”
For their ceremony, Crystal wore a soft pink strapless gown, while Hugh opted for a black tuxedo. They celebrated with a private reception, featuring a champagne toast and wedding cake, before joining the annual New Year’s Eve festivities at the mansion.
Their marriage lasted until Hugh passed away from natural causes at the age of 91 in September 2017.
She has ventured into entrepreneurship.
Crystal exited the modeling world in January 2018, according to her LinkedIn profile, and has since pursued a career as a real estate agent.
In a November 2018 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Crystal revealed her mother had a long-standing career in real estate, motivating her to obtain her license at 18.
“My mom is a determined individual, which has greatly aided her success in real estate,” Crystal stated. “I focus on developing my own properties.”
Since October 2022, Crystal has also served as president of the Hugh M. Hefner Foundation, as noted on her LinkedIn. Alongside her philanthropic work and real estate career, she launched a podcast titled Beneath the Surface in November 2023, focusing on health, love, and self-worth.
She enjoys traveling.
When not residing in Los Angeles or at her farm in Hawaii, Crystal loves exploring various destinations worldwide. In July 2023, she told the New York Post that during her time at the Playboy Mansion, she was limited in her travels, but she has since visited places like Africa and Australia.
In 2023 and 2024, Crystal traveled to England, Greece, and St. Martin, spending New Year’s Eve 2023 in St. Barths, where she enjoyed fireworks from a boat. Other trips include Egypt, the Maldives, and Dubai.
“I find myself either being a complete homebody in Los Angeles or leaving the country for adventures around the globe,” Crystal shared on Instagram after her trip to Egypt in 2021. “I could travel forever. I don’t experience ‘homesickness.’ My wanderlust is too powerful.”
In 2016, she received a Lyme disease diagnosis.
In March 2016, Crystal learned she had Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness. She took to Instagram to raise awareness about its symptoms, including fatigue and cognitive issues.
“If you have ever gone hiking, please consider getting tested for #LymeDisease … I received my diagnosis a few days ago and have a long recovery ahead,” she wrote. “I used to think I was just a hypochondriac. Doctors dismissed my symptoms as ‘stress’ or ‘imaginary,’ but I finally found the answer, and you can too.”
Following her diagnosis, Crystal has been active in raising awareness about Lyme disease. “I don’t frequently post about Lyme disease, but I’m thrilled to have participated in my second Lyme disease event yesterday,” she shared on Instagram in March 2020.
“My time at the Playboy Mansion didn’t reflect my true self and was quite toxic both physically and emotionally,” she added. “Lyme disease has shifted my perspective. I now prioritize things that benefit my mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.”
She is transparent on social media.
Crystal has been open about her mental health struggles and cosmetic surgery experiences on social media.
Shortly after her Lyme disease diagnosis in March 2016, she disclosed on Facebook that she had her breast implants removed, stating they were “slowly poisoning her.”
“I instantly felt relief from neck and shoulder pain and noticed my breathing improved seriously,” she wrote in a July 2016 post. “I understand I won’t feel 100% right away. My implants caused eight years of illness, so I know healing will take time.”
Additionally, Crystal has shared her journey toward living authentically, including her mental health battles. After undergoing a brain scan in February 2022, she posted her results on Instagram and discussed her experience.
“I highly recommend delving deep into your mental health if you’re struggling, as there are numerous ways to help yourself heal and improve,” she advised in her caption. “I’ve felt trapped in my thoughts for so long, so it’s comforting to know there are ways to recover. Being validated about my past traumas has also been important, as they have influenced my mind.”
She authored a memoir detailing her life with Hugh.
In February 2022, the former playmate revealed that she was penning a memoir. Crystal shared on Instagram that, despite being “more private over the years,” she was ready to “reveal her journey.”
“I hesitated to share my story because it’s complicated and often conflicting,” she noted in her caption. “I will narrate my life and how my upbringing and experiences leading up to the Halloween party where I first met Hef were a perfect storm that brought me to the gates.”
Her memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, was released on January 23, 2024.
