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Hugh Hefner’s will – clause to cut out kids, ‘gold-digger’ wife and huge fortune

When Playboy founder Hugh Hefner died in 2017, there were more than a few questions on everyone’s lips.

Not least of those was who would inherit his incredible £41million fortune, and the coveted Playboy Mansion itself.

Hefner had four children throughout his lifetime – Christie, David, Marston and Cooper.

READ MORE: Playboy star flogging her old boob implants from Hugh Hefner for £7k – with a catch

He also had a whole list of wives and partners, first marrying Mildred Williams from 1949 until 1959, before going on to tie the knot with Kimberley Conrad in 1989.

They divorced in 2010, and Hefner finally went on to marry Crystal Harris two years later.

So who ended up with his money?

Eye-watering fortune

Hugh Hefner made millions in his time as founder of Playboy
(Image: WireImage)

The majority of Hefner’s eye-watering net worth ended up in the hands of his four children – though a part was also donated to “the University of Southern California film school” as well as “various charities”.

He and wife Crystal were said to have signed a tight prenuptial agreement before they wed, but she was never in his will and so could not inherit any money from his estate once he passed.

Because they were still married, she did, however, receive a four-bedroom house in Hollywood Hills, which she sold for £4million, and became the Vice President of the Hugh M Hefner Foundation.

She also received £6million in cash.

‘Gold-digger’ wife

Hef’s third wife Crystal says people brand her a ‘gold digger’
(Image: WireImage)

Speaking to The Sun, Crystal said people always viewed her as a gold-digger – which she has always denied.

She told the publication: “I would get hit with all the stereotypes. People would say I was a dumb blonde, a fake, a gold-digger who didn’t really love Hef.

“I suffered attacks on my relationship with him, on my looks, on my intelligence.”

Crystal has since found love with Ryan Malaty, confessing Hef had “always known she would move on”.

Cut-out clause

Hefner was known for his multiple, iron-clad wills
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Known for his iron-clad wills – of which he had more than one throughout his lifetime – Hefner didn’t skimp on the clauses that meant his money would be at risk to those who inherited it.

One clause in his will prevented any of his beneficiaries from accessing his funds if they abuse drugs or alcohol.

Documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight stated that Crystal or Hefner’s children would be cut off if “the trustees reasonably believe that (the beneficiary) routinely or frequently uses or consumes any illegal substance so as to be physically or psychologically dependent upon that substance”.

It continues to apply if they are “clinically dependent upon the use or consumption of alcohol or any other legal drug or chemical substance that is not prescribed by a board-certified medical doctor or psychiatrist in a current program of treatment supervised by such doctor or psychiatrist”.

And trustees of his will can ask for any of the beneficiaries to submit to drug tests if they are suspicious of the conditions being met.

They can then have the funds back if they become clean and “able to care for himself or herself again”.

Mansion’s new owner

Hef sold his mansion in 2016 before his death
(Image: Getty Images)

Who else but Hugh Hefner is capable of running the iconic Playboy Mansion?

Hefner actually sold the property before his death, in 2016, but continued to live there for just £92-a-year.

The star sold the house to his billionaire neighbour, Daren Metropoulos, for £84.6million, but didn’t actually get any of the money.

That’s because, back in 2011, he made a deal with a private equity firm to buy Playboy Enterprises, which also owned the mansion.

The property is now used for hosting corporate events.

Enormous living costs

The star could blow hundreds of thousands of pounds in a single month
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Selling the rights to Playboy, Hefner was guaranteed a salary of £930,000 per year and the rights to live in the Mansion for £92.

But his living expenses meant his income dropped significantly since signing everything over.

He reportedly spent an eye-watering £42,000 per month on food, healthcare and entertainment, with £49,000 going to maintaining the mansion and £18,000 to pay alimony to his two ex-wives.

At one point, he had owned an incredible £231million worth of stock in his own magazine, along with his £92million house.

Hefner’s kids now

His son Cooper inherited most of his business empire, taking over from his sister
(Image: Getty Images North America)

Hugh’s children have all followed in their father’s footsteps to achieve great things, with his son Cooper working as Chief Creative Officer and Chief of Global Partnerships at Playboy Enterprises.

He also started his own company, Hop.

Christie was President of Playboy and became chairman of the board and CEO in 1988, before stepping down in 2009.

Marston launched a career as a writer, publishing a horror book about zombies.

As for David, he works as a film producer and tends to keep a low profile when it comes to the spotlight.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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