Millie Williams: The Untold Story of Hugh Hefner’s First Wife

When discussing the legacy of Playboy magazine and its iconic founder Hugh Hefner, much of the attention is often on Hefner’s glamorous life and the empire he built. However, behind this larger-than-life personality lies an often overlooked story: that of Millie Williams, the woman who was Hefner’s first wife. While she never sought the spotlight, Millie’s life intertwined with one of the most influential pop-culture figures of the 20th century. In this article, we will explore who Millie Williams is, her age, net worth, relationships, her time with Hugh Hefner, her children, and what became of her in later years.

Who Is Millie Williams?

Mildred “Millie” Williams was born on March 10, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Unlike Hugh Hefner, who would go on to become a global celebrity, Millie lived a largely private life. She came from a modest background, far removed from the glitz and glamour that would later define her association with Playboy.

She became historically significant not because of a career in Hollywood or media but because she was the first wife of Hugh Hefner. Their marriage, though not lasting forever, played a pivotal role in Hefner’s early life and personal development. Millie’s story reflects the tension between private family life and the public pressures that come with being associated with a controversial cultural icon.

Millie Williams and Hugh Hefner: Marriage and Divorce

Millie and Hugh Hefner met in the late 1940s, while both were young adults finding their way in post-war America. They married in 1949, a time when Hefner had yet to establish himself as a publisher or entrepreneur. At that point, he was simply an ambitious man with a dream.

Their marriage lasted for about ten years, ending in 1959. According to several sources, their relationship suffered due to infidelity and the strains of Hefner’s growing ambitions. Millie admitted to having confessed a premarital affair to Hefner early in their marriage, something he said deeply affected him. Likewise, Hefner himself was known for engaging in extramarital affairs, which also contributed to their marital difficulties.

The couple officially divorced on March 18, 1959, marking the end of Millie’s chapter as the wife of a man who would soon become internationally recognized for his controversial lifestyle and business empire.

Millie Williams’ Children

Despite the turbulent marriage, Millie and Hugh Hefner had two children together:

• Christie Hefner (born November 1952) – She grew up to become an influential businesswoman, serving as the CEO of Playboy Enterprises for over two decades. Christie is known for transforming Playboy into a multimedia empire and steering the company into the digital age.
• David Hefner (born August 30, 1955) – Unlike his sister, David chose to live away from the media spotlight. He pursued a career in computer consulting and maintained a quieter lifestyle compared to his famous father.

For Millie, her children represented the most important part of her legacy. Even though she lived privately, her daughter’s achievements and her son’s grounded life reflect her influence as a mother.

Millie Williams’ Age and Later Life

Born in 1926, Millie Williams would be 99 years old in 2025. As of now, there is no clear or confirmed public record of her current activities or whereabouts. Unlike her ex-husband, who remained in the public eye until his passing in 2017, Millie deliberately avoided fame and rarely gave interviews.

Most reports suggest that after her divorce from Hefner, she continued living quietly, away from media attention. Some unverified sources claim she remarried, while others insist she preferred to focus on raising her children. Regardless of the exact details, what is clear is that Millie chose a life of privacy and dignity.

Millie Williams’ Net Worth

Determining Millie Williams’ net worth is tricky because she did not maintain a public career or business ventures. Some sources estimate her net worth to be around $2 million, though this figure is largely speculative. It likely reflects any alimony or settlement from her divorce from Hugh Hefner, as well as possible investments or family assets.

In contrast, Hugh Hefner himself amassed hundreds of millions of dollars through Playboy Enterprises, though much of his fortune dwindled over the years due to lavish spending and changing media landscapes. Millie, however, chose a completely different path, keeping her financial matters private.

Millie Williams’ Relationships After Hugh Hefner

There are conflicting accounts about Millie’s relationships after her divorce. Some sources suggest she remarried a man named Edward Gunn, but that marriage also ended in divorce. Beyond this, there is little to no verifiable information about her romantic life.

This lack of information highlights her deliberate retreat from public life. While Hugh Hefner’s later years were filled with relationships with younger women, high-profile parties at the Playboy Mansion, and media appearances, Millie chose to avoid all of it.

Millie Williams Now: Where Is She Today?

As of 2025, it is unclear where Millie Williams resides or what her daily life looks like. Given her age (nearly a century old), she is likely living in retirement, surrounded by family or in private care.

For many people curious about her story, this mystery adds to her legacy. Unlike many celebrity ex-spouses who capitalized on their associations, Millie stayed firmly out of the limelight. Her quiet existence contrasts sharply with the fame and notoriety of her former husband.

Legacy of Millie Williams

Although she is not a public figure in her own right, Millie Williams’ legacy is intertwined with that of Hugh Hefner and Playboy. As his first wife, she shared in his early struggles and saw him before the world did. She also gave birth to Christie and David Hefner, both of whom carry the family name in different ways.

In many ways, Millie represents a counter-narrative to Hefner’s flamboyant life: a story of privacy, dignity, and distance from the spotlight. Her decision to remain private, even when she could have leveraged her name for fame or fortune, speaks volumes about her character.

Conclusion

The story of Millie Williams is one of quiet strength. She was Hugh Hefner’s first wife, the mother of his first two children, and a woman who lived her life away from the spotlight, even while connected to one of the most famous men of the 20th century. Today, at nearly 100 years old, her life is a reminder that not everyone tied to fame seeks it for themselves.

While the world remembers Hugh Hefner for Playboy, Millie Williams’ legacy lies in her role as a mother and in her choice to live authentically, without the glare of the public eye. For those who want to look beyond the flashy headlines, Millie Williams’ life offers a deeply human perspective on love, family, and privacy.

This article was written for readers of fanzineblog.