Hugh Hefner's most iconic Playboy front covers - BBC News

Hugh Hefner's most iconic Playboy front covers

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Picture of Hugh HefnerImage source, EPA

The man who created Playboy magazine, Hugh Hefner, has died aged 91.

He began the influential, adult magazine in 1953.

He also created the Playboy mansion, complete with hundreds of supermodels dubbed the Playboy bunnies.

His son Cooper said his father was 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."

It all began for Hugh Hefner more than 60 years ago in his kitchen.

Tweet from Playboy says American Icon and Playboy Founder, Hugh M. Hefner passed away today. He was 91. #RIPHef, external

He published the first Playboy with the star of the moment, Marilyn Monroe, on the cover.

Image source, Playboy
Image caption,

Hugh Hefner holding the first cover of Playboy magazine

Image source, Playboy

Since then, the front covers have ranged from raunchy to chic.

June 1965: Hedy Scott

Image source, Playboy

October 1971: Darine Stern

Image source, Playboy

In 1971, Darine Stern became the first African American woman to appear on the front cover of the magazine.

September 1985: Madonna

October 1989: Pamela Anderson

Image source, Playboy
Image caption,

This was Pamela Anderson's first front cover and helped launch her career

Former Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson has appeared on the cover more times than any other model.

March 1990: Donald Trump

Future US president President Trump appeared in the magazine., external

The future president of the United State appeared on the front cover of the magazine.

He was the fourth man to feature on the front cover.

In a recent interview, Cooper Hefner, son of Hugh Hefner and chief creative officer of the magazine said they were embarrassed, external he was once on the magazine.

June 1993: Anna Nicole Smith

Image source, Playboy

Anna Nicole Smith first gained popularity by appearing on the magazine.

At the age of 26, she went on to marry 89-year-old oil tycoon J Howard Marshall a year after this shoot.

March 2005: Paris Hilton

January/February 2014: Kate Moss

Image source, Playboy

Kate Moss appeared on the 60th anniversary issue of the magazine.

January/February 2016: Pamela Anderson

Image source, Playboy

Last year Playboy announced the magazine wouldn't be featuring nude models in its magazine.

It reversed that decision in February, saying it "was a mistake".

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