38 Facts About Hugh Hefner

1. In 2005, Hugh Hefner wanted to start an Indian version of Playboy with Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai appearing on the cover of the first issue.

2. Hugh Hefner graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with a bachelor of arts in psychology and a double minor in creative writing and art in 1949, earning his degree in two and a half years.

3. Hugh Hefner is a native of Chicago, Illinois and a former journalist for Esquire.

4. Hugh Hefner has admitted to experimenting with homosexuality in the past.

5. In 1970, Hugh Hefner owned a private jet worth $5.5 million.

6. Hugh Hefner bought the crypt right next to Marilyn's for the price of $75,000 at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

7. Hugh Hefner helped restore the sign by holding a fundraising event at the Playboy Mansion where the letters were auctioned off.

8. In 1955, Hugh Hefner decided to publish a science fiction story that was rejected by Esquire magazine.

9. Hugh Hefner named the plane "The Big Bunny" and installed spotlights on the wing tips so that the iconic rabbit could be seen flying through the air at night.

10. Hugh Hefner described the betrayal as the most devastating moment of his life.

11. Hugh Hefner loved dogs, and when he broke up with former Playmate Shannon Tweed, they had a slight custody battle over their dog.

12. Hugh Hefner started working with Esquire magazine in 1951 as a promotional copywriter at a salary of $40 per week.

13. Hugh Hefner seemed totally disengaged which made teachers wonder if he could hear them.

14. Hugh Hefner had an obsession with Marilyn Monroe, whose nude calendar shoot graced the very first issue of Playboy, even though the two never met.

15. Hugh Hefner had an endangered subspecies of Marsh rabbit, Sylvilagus palustris hefneri.

16. Hugh Hefner agreed to support the school for five years with a $50,000 grant.

17. Hugh Hefner is no different: his iconic look revolved around an expensive housecoat.

18. Hugh Hefner lived a long, interesting life despite all of the perceived craziness.

19. Hugh Hefner died Wednesday in his home in Los Angeles at the age of 91.

20. Hugh Hefner purchased the burial vault next to Marilyn Monroe as his future place of final rest.

21. Hugh Hefner was tried on obscenity charges in Chicago in 1963, but the jury was hung.

22. Hugh Hefner had an endangered subspecies of Marsh rabbit, Sylvilagus palustris hefneri, is named after him in honor of financial support that he provided.

23. Hugh Hefner worked as a copywriter for Esquire magazine, from where he resigned in Jan 1952 after being denied a $5 raise.

24. Hugh Hefner donated $900,000 to Trust for Public Land to save the iconic Hollywood sign from being plowed under in order to make room for four luxury homes.

25. In 1955, Hugh Hefner released a short story about straight men being persecuted in a gay world.

26. Hugh Hefner connected her with agent Mark Roesler, who helped her regain the legal rights to many of her photographs, which gave her financial security.

27. Hugh Hefner used the books for a term paper when he was taking graduate courses in sociology at Northwestern University in Illinois and they are filled with his margin notes and underlining.

28. In 1953, Hugh Hefner founded Playboy magazine, which has expanded into a global brand including lounges, apparel and an iconic mansion in the 60-plus years since.

29. Hugh Hefner is interred at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, in the $75,000 crypt beside Marilyn Monroe.

30. Hugh Hefner hosted a gala fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion and contributed $27,000 by purchasing the letter Y in a ceremonial auction.

31. In 1978, Hugh Hefner helped organize fund-raising efforts that led to the restoration of the Hollywood Sign.

32. Hugh Hefner donated and raised money for the Democratic Party.

33. In 2012, Hugh Hefner announced that his youngest son, Cooper, would likely succeed him as the public face of Playboy.

34. Hugh Hefner has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for television and made several movie appearances as himself on the small screen.

35. Hugh Hefner was the chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, the publishing group that operates the magazine.

36. In January 1952, Hugh Hefner left his job as a copywriter for Esquire after he was denied a $5 raise.

37. Hugh Hefner attended Sayre Elementary School and Steinmetz High School, then served from 1944 to 1946 as a US Army writer for a military newspaper.

38. Hugh Hefner described his family as "conservative, Midwestern, [and] Methodist".