Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner has died. He was 91 years old. Hefner died of natural causes at his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, Playboy said in a statement. Hefner launched the magazine in 1953. The very first Playboy had photographs of actress and model Marilyn Monroe. The pictures showed her wearing no clothing. The magazine also published an editorial that promised readers “humor, sophistication and spice.” Playboy appeared at a time when American states banned birth control pills and television shows avoided the word “pregnant.” Within five years, Hefner’s company was selling 1 million copies of Playboy every month. By the 1970s, the magazine had more than 7 million readers.
