Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy, has died aged 91.
Hefner was born on April 9, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, and went on to become a millionaire after founding the influential men's magazine in 1953.
On Wednesday night the official Playboy Twitter account announced: 'American Icon and Playboy Founder, Hugh M. Hefner passed away today. He was 91. #RIPHef'.
Hefner's death was confirmed in a statement from Playboy Enterprises that said he 'passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones.'
Hefner's son, Cooper Hefner, who is also the chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, said: '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.'
Hugh with the first issue of Playboy, starring Marlin Monroe
Hugh Hefner is surrounded by playmates at the Playboy Mansion in August 2003
Paris Hilton posted this photo on Instagram of the two of them together following news of Hef's death
Donald Trump appeared on this, the March 1990 cover of the magazine, along with then-Playmate Brandi Brandt. He keeps a copy of this cover on the wall of his New York office
7 Lesser Known Facts About Hugh Hefner
* Hefner founded Playboy magazine in 1953, using a picture of a nude Marilyn Monroe, a $600 loan against his furniture and investments from family members to launch the magazine with a total of $8,000. It became one of the most talked-about publishing empires in history.
* Hefner used the pages of his magazine to write lengthy articles fighting censorship and promoting various other libertarian causes.
* He opened his first Playboy Club in Chicago in 1960. Eventually, there were dozens of clubs as far as Japan and Jamaica and they featured the hottest entertainers of the time, such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Sonny & Cher. The clubs began closing in the late 1980s amid escalating costs.
* In 1985 Hefner suffered a stroke that left him temporarily partially paralyzed and unable to speak. He fully recovered.
* From his six acre (2.5 hectares) Holmby Hills estate in Los Angeles, Hefner kept close tabs on the magazine. He had final say on the centerfold, cartoons and overall editorial direction.
* Hefner arranged to be buried in a crypt next to the grave of Monroe in a Los Angeles cemetery.
* Hefner reportedly drank as many as 36 bottles of Pepsi a day.
* Hefner used the pages of his magazine to write lengthy articles fighting censorship and promoting various other libertarian causes.
* He opened his first Playboy Club in Chicago in 1960. Eventually, there were dozens of clubs as far as Japan and Jamaica and they featured the hottest entertainers of the time, such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Sonny & Cher. The clubs began closing in the late 1980s amid escalating costs.
* In 1985 Hefner suffered a stroke that left him temporarily partially paralyzed and unable to speak. He fully recovered.
* From his six acre (2.5 hectares) Holmby Hills estate in Los Angeles, Hefner kept close tabs on the magazine. He had final say on the centerfold, cartoons and overall editorial direction.
* Hefner arranged to be buried in a crypt next to the grave of Monroe in a Los Angeles cemetery.
* Hefner reportedly drank as many as 36 bottles of Pepsi a day.
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