Paying tribute, his son Cooper said in a statement: “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.”
The Playboy founder, who passed away “peacefully from natural causes”, wed his 31-year-old spouse back in 2012.
The couple had started dating three years earlier after Holly Madison ended her seven-year relationship with the businessman, and they got engaged in December 2014.
However, there romance was certainly not plain-sailing after Crystal reportedly broke off their nuptials just five days before they were set to walk down the aisle.
In anticipation of their big day, the July issue of Playboy reached shelves featuring Hugh and Crystal on the cover. The headline read: “Introducing America’s Princess, Mrs Crystal Hefner”.
Despite their problems, they reunited five years ago, when Hugh revealed how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, despite their 60-year age gap.
“The dramatic age difference between Crystal & me really doesn’t matter. Whatever time I have left, we want to spend together,” he informed his 1.47 million followers.
Speaking previously about their reconciliation, she also stated: “This time around is amazing… I’m very happy and Hef’s very happy and we’re excited.”
Hugh was previously wed to first spouse Mildred “Millie” Williams for a decade until 1959 and former Playmate of the Year Kimberley Conrad between 1989 and 2010.
Meanwhile, it is thought Crystal will inherit nothing after signing an iron-clad prenuptial agreement.
According to US Weekly, she is not believed to have never been added to Hugh’s will but will be apparently “looked after”.
It was said back in 2013 that his estimated $43 million will be divided amongst his offspring as well as a list of charities.
