Sad news tonight coming out of the Playboy Mansion.

Hugh Hefner, founder of the iconic Playboy magazine and Playboy brand, has died at the age of 91.

was announced this evening by the official Playboy
Twitter account, saying that Hefner died peacefully in his home Wednesday. The brand said that he was surrounded by loved ones.

Hugh Hefner was the founder and creator of the iconic Playboy magazine back in 1953. For the past year, Hefner has been battling serious health issues and reportedly hadn't left his home in well over a year. His beloved brother Keith also passed away from cancer a little over a year ago. Hefnerwas married three times, with his most recent marriage in 2012 to Crystal.

Hugh Hefner's son, Cooper, released a statement regarding the passing of his father:

'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom. He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history. He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.'

Playboy the brand was known for not only the magazine, but also movies, radio shows, the iconic Playboy mansion and the legendary parties that happened there. The Playboy mansion was sold back in August of 2016 to Pabst Blue Ribbon heir Daren Metropoulos for $110 million. The sale happened under the stipulation that Hefner could live the rest of his life in the mansion. After, the house would then belong to Metropoulos.

R.I.P. Hef.

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