Soon there is a new documentary coming out about the life of Hugh Hefner that paints both him and life at the Playboy Mansion in a negative light. Since the trailer came out, I have been bombarded with texts and phone calls asking me if all of these things were actually true. Even though I am a lifetime removed from anything that has to do with Playboy, I feel the need to explain. I was never a "girlfriend," but I did have a close friendship with a few of the girls.
I had a professional relationship with Hef and with Playboy. He was always kind, generous, and considerate, and he was more of a father figure. I never got the feeling that Hef was trying to use me or degrade me. In fact, I felt like he took a personal interest in wanting to see me succeed in life. Over the years I brought my family to the Playboy Mansion (friends, parents, siblings, in-laws, and kids). Hef and the staff always went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome and at home. The support staff at the Mansion was filled with so many great people. The butlers and security were also so kind, and I was lucky to make and keep those relationships to this very day. Never have I seen a member of the Mansion staff do anything but treat us all with the utmost respect.
Yes, the Mansion was known for the great parties, and in my opinion most of those parties were under a microscope because of the exclusivity. The parties get all the attention, but for the other 360 days of the year, the Playboy Mansion was a home away from home. A zen-like place, surrounded by redwood trees just off Sunset Boulevard. A place to hang out with good friends and good people in sweatpants and no makeup.
I worked for Playboy Enterprises for nine years. Because of Playboy I was able to save enough money to buy a home, live a comfortable lifestyle, and do a lot of really nice things for my family and friends.
There are two sides to every story. Unfortunately, Hugh Hefner is not here to defend himself and tell his side.
"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."
