Happy birthday Hugh Hefner. As the formidable tycoon turns 89 today, we chart some of our most-loved archive Playboy covers.
Talk about building a empire, Hugh Hefner has been publishing Playboy magazine for over 60 years. The magazine that is ‘entertainment for men’ features nude photographs of some of the biggest names, from Joan Collins to Kim Kardashain – tastefully done, of course… Today, to celebrate Hefner’s 89th birthday, we’ve put together a list of out most-loved Playboy covers.
Marilyn Monroe, September 1953.
Dolly Parton, October 1978.
Dressed as a bunny (obvs), Dolly Parton graced the cover of Playboy in the 90’s to promote her 20th album titled ‘Heartbreaker’. This might be the country music bombshell’s only cover, but it made a lasting impression that’s for sure.
Madonna, September 1985.
Queen Madge covered Playboy in the 80’s and the magazine used nude photographs taken in New York when she was a struggling singer in 1978. “Madonna Nude unlike a virgin… for the very first time” – quite the cover line.
Cindy Crawford, July 1988.
Posing nude in a tastefully shot pictorial, this was the first of Cindy Crawford’s two covers. This 88 cover was taken at the start of her career, shot by renowned photographer Herb Ritts.
Women’s College Issue, April 1991.
Sticking to their Americana routes, the iconic spring issue photographed female students and college alumni from the states. Posing both clothed and nude the chosen women were used to investigate the myth that such schools catered to short-haired “dyed in the wool feminists”. Roller lades, sunglasses, bandana, cap and novelty watches – it smells like spring break.
Drew Barrymore, January 1995.
Everyones teen dream, the young and rebellious Drew Barrymore posed nude for Playboy at just 19 years old paving the way for her treasured American sweetheart status. It’s Drew Barrymore, in the flesh.
