This morning it was announced Hugh Hefner, the founder and editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine, has passed away at the age of 91. After working in the publishing industry at a young age, Hefner quickly built up his empire once the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe was featured in the first issue of the magazine in 1953.

Courtesy of People Magazine

Playboy has featured countless beautiful women on its covers but also had some of the most renowned authors write articles for the magazine including Hunter S. Thompson and Margaret Atwood. Canadian model and actress Pamela Anderson, who had launched her career with Playboy, expressed her grief over Hefner's death noting that he made the world brighter and taught her about freedom and respect. Hefner was an icon that made Playboy what it is today and he is definitely a magazine legend that can never be replaced. 

By: Alaina Pawlowicz