Why Hugh Hefner Chose to Be Buried Next to Marilyn Monroe

A Final Resting Place That Sparked Outrage

Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy, made headlines even after his passing in 2017 when it was revealed that he had orchestrated his burial next to Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. The media mogul, who passed away at 91, had secured the crypt beside Monroe at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery—despite never meeting her in life. This decision, made 25 years before his death, sparked widespread backlash.

The $75,000 Purchase for Eternal Neighbor Status

Hefner reportedly paid $75,000 (approximately £60,326) in 1992 to reserve the space beside Monroe. His reasoning? A self-proclaimed connection to the legendary actress, even though their paths never actually crossed in person.

Speaking to CBS Los Angeles in 2012, Hefner explained, “I feel a double connection to her because she was the key to launching Playboy. We were born the same year. Spending eternity next to Marilyn is too sweet to pass up.”

Marilyn Monroe: The Unwilling Playboy Cover Girl

Monroe’s association with Playboy dates back to its very first issue in 1953. Hefner used a nude photograph of Monroe—originally shot for a calendar—on the cover of Playboy without her direct consent. The actress was paid only $50 (£40.22) for the photoshoot, while Hefner made a fortune selling 50,000 copies almost overnight.

Monroe, who never approved of the magazine feature, later expressed frustration in her autobiography, Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words, stating: “I never even received a thank you from all those who made millions off a nude Marilyn photograph. I even had to buy a copy of the magazine to see myself in it.”

The Morbid Symbolism Behind Hefner’s Decision

Despite Monroe’s lack of consent and the absence of any personal relationship, Hefner believed their fates were intertwined. He claimed that Monroe had once attended the same acting class as his brother in New York and that they had spoken once on the phone. However, he admitted, “The reality is that I never met her. She was gone, sadly, before I came.”

Critics have argued that Hefner’s decision to be buried beside Monroe perpetuated his lifelong pattern of exploiting her image. His obsession with the actress, combined with his business dealings that profited from her, made his burial next to her a controversial topic.

Public Reaction and Another Millionaire’s Similar Obsession

Following Hefner’s burial, many people voiced their discomfort, questioning whether Monroe—who died in 1962 at the age of 36 due to a barbiturate overdose—would have wanted to spend eternity next to the Playboy founder.

Interestingly, the allure of being Monroe’s eternal neighbor didn’t end with Hefner. In April 2023, tech investor Anthony Jabin paid $195,000 (£154,000) for a mausoleum space near Monroe’s and Hefner’s. Jabin, who had previously purchased Hefner’s round bed and Monroe’s bathing suit at an auction, stated, “I’ve always dreamt of being next to Marilyn Monroe for the rest of my life.”

The Legacy of a Controversial Decision

Hefner was buried in his signature silk pajamas, smoking jacket, and captain’s hat, in a move fitting of his flamboyant persona. Yet, his decision to rest beside Monroe remains a subject of debate—was it a symbolic tribute, or another chapter in the ongoing exploitation of one of Hollywood’s most tragic figures?

While Monroe’s legacy continues to captivate audiences, the conversation about how she was treated in life—and even in death—remains relevant today