[imagesource:here]

In 2017, before the Me Too movement kicked into full gear, Hugh Hefner, the controversial bachelor baron of Playboy Magazine, died aged 91.

Some critics are bothered by this timing as it allowed old Hef to narrowly avoid his inevitable reckoning – a moment that is now in the spotlight after A&E released the damning docuseries Secrets of Playboy.

He may have been seen as an advocate for civil rights, gay rights, freedom of speech, and sexual freedom – but that mostly appears to be the perspective of those living outside of his infamous Playboy mansion.

Within its walls, it was allegedly Hef’s sexual freedom that came first.

As a result, his reputation is on the line.

The series, which touches on the lived experiences of Hefner’s former girlfriends, Playmates, Bunny Mothers, associates, and others, reveals just how toxic the environment was for women.

Each of them used their own condemnatory words to describe Hef: a “vampire” who manipulated and coerced young women, a “predator” who took anything he wanted, and a “monster” because of the things he was turned on by.

The Cut outlined some of the more damning claims that came out of the docuseries, such as:

• “Hefner’s former girlfriends say life at the mansion was cultlike.”
• “Hefner allegedly didn’t use protection during group sex.”
• “Cleanup crews (Playboy security and Bunny Mothers) allegedly hid the darker sides of Playboy life (rapes and overdoses).”
• “Hefner allegedly abused Bunnies at the mansion and gave his celebrity friends carte blanche to do the same.”
• “Hefner allegedly knew about — and initiated — an affair with a minor on the Playboy mansion property.”

However, if you go through the docuseries, there are many other serious claims being made.

Like the fact that he was into bestiality, snuff films, and Charles Manson.

Also that he would drug (using Quaaludes, the same sedative that Bill Cosby allegedly used on his accusers), groom, and secretly film the bunnies in the mansion.

In response, some of Hef’s loyal friends and family members have come forward to defend him, mentioning all the ways he was actually an “upstanding character”.

CNN shared the open letter written by former Playboy employees and Playboy Playmates, who are backing the perpetual bachelor:

“We sign our names to support Hugh M. Hefner. From all we know of Hef, he was a person of upstanding character, exceptional kindness, and dedication to free thought. He demonstrated a commitment to living an honest life beyond everything else. Our time within Hugh Hefner’s Playboy and the organization’s subsidiaries remains a period all of us are fond of. I proudly sign this letter in recognition of Hugh Hefner’s character amid unfounded allegations in the A&E show.”