Christie Hefner's Rise at Playboy Enterprises - From Doubts about Her Arrival to Taking over from Dad Hugh Hefner

Christie Hefner may have been born to an adult industry mogul and philanthropist, but she has made a name for herself, even under her father's company, as one of its most outstanding leaders. Both her father and colleagues sang her praises when she stepped down from the CEO position in 2009.

Christie Hefner's decision to leave Playboy Enterprises Inc. coincided with former US President Obama's transition into power. As she disclosed the reasons for her stepping down, she expressed that she was a huge supporter of President Obama and believed "deeply" in his vision for the country's future.

Moreover, Hefner wanted to take part in this vision and stated that she would be looking for ways to be of service however she could. Hugh Hefner commended his daughter's contribution to his empire, saying that Playboy had more fans and supporters due to her work. Since then, Christie has lived a quiet life.

Christie Hefner Took over Her Father's Role on "Playboy"

Christie Ann Hefner took her first breath in Chicago, Illinois, on November 8, 1952. According to her IMDb, her stay in her native city was cut short after her parents divorced. She moved to the Wilmette suburbs, where she attended New Trier High School and was afforded very comfortable living under her father's wealth.

Hefner also attended the National Music Camp during the summers, where she studied musical instruments. She then pursued a Bachelor's degree in American Literature and English at Brandeis University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1974 and later took the President's Councilor position in 1978.

Hefner initially would have trudged the path of journalism or law, but she ended up joining Playboy Enterprises. She climbed the corporate ladder and became Vice President after only five years. However, her success did come with a few naysayers who lacked faith in her ability to lead.

Still, the negativity didn't faze her. She was aware of the "superficial" perspective they held in her regard. Hefner remarked that the low expectations people had of her performance made it easier for her to surpass them. Those who knew her had a clearer view of her personality.

Hefner's father described her as very social and more likely to settle down, while he was the opposite. Hefner reportedly struck a balance between her personal life, which she kept very private, and her work life, which she lived publicly.

Moreover, she was street-smart, "cool," and had enough emotional maturity not to be easily flustered or teary-eyed. One of Hefner's colleagues from Playboy Enterprises Inc., Rich Nelson, used three precise adjectives to describe her and said:

"Controlled, organized, methodical."

In 1988, she finally ascended to the CEO position, taking over from her dad. Christie honored Hugh by curating an award recognizing the efforts of those who fought for the First Amendment called the Hugh Hefner First Amendment Award. She stayed with Playboy Enterprises for another two decades before stepping down in 2009.

Christie Hefner's Husband Was Accused of Insider Trading

Despite being a notoriously private woman. She found her first love in college with Paul Regan. When she got older, she dated a former White House photographer David Kennerly. She then moved on to TV producer Jim Korris.

Hefner believed the relationship would be long-term despite their conflicting views about privacy. She shared that her former lover wanted to go public to affirm how they felt about each other, but she insisted on the discomfort divulging her personal life brought.

Her privacy was her choice, which she protected fiercely. Even during college, Hefner was quiet about her identity as the daughter of such a well-known and controversial figure. She eventually married Senator William Marovitz in 1995, who worked as a real estate developer and attorney.

The pair had no children when they separated following Marovitz's insider trading charges in 2011. According to the Chicago Tribune, Marovitz settled nearly $170K with the Security Exchange Commission for his charges, which included Playboy shares while the enterprise was still public.

Christie Hefner's Parents and Family

Christie Hefner is the firstborn daughter of Hugh Hefner and Mildred Williams. After Christie, they welcomed their son David Hefner. Hugh and Mildred married in 1949 but later divorced in 1959. Their relationship became strained after Mildred confessed to being intimate with another man while Hugh was in the army.

To soothe her guilt, she opened their relationship, allowing Hugh to sleep with whomever he pleased, and he obliged, and their relationship deteriorated further. Hugh even moved out of their shared home a few years shy of separation. After divorcing, Mildred remarried an attorney named Ed Gunn.

Hugh remarried in 1989 to a former Playmate of the Year, Kimberly Conrad. Together they had two more sons, Cooper and Marston Hefner. According to The Washington Post, Hugh acknowledged another son from an affair with one of his many partners. However, nothing, including his name, is known about him.