The fabulous life of entertainment icon Hugh Hefner

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On Wednesday night, Playboy Enterprises confirmed in a press release that its founder, Hugh Hefner, had died at 91. Hefner died of natural causes, surrounded by friends and family.

"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," Hefner's son Cooper, the chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, said in a statement.

Below, take a look back at the life of the legendary Hefner.

Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953 with $8,000 in borrowed money. Its first issue featured Marilyn Monroe, and it sold 54,000 copies.

AP

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Hefner hosted a few TV shows, including "Playboy's Penthouse," during which he would interview celebrities like Sammy Davis Jr. and Bob Newhart.

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He also hosted the show "Playboy After Dark," which had various musical performers as guests. Hefner also created the Playboy Club, which had several nightclub locations.

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