When we think of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, images of lavish parties, high-profile romances, and his iconic silk robes often come to mind. But behind the headlines and the glossy covers of Playboy magazine lies a lesser-known story of a woman who played a pivotal role in Hefner’s early years: Millie Williams. Known formally as Mildred “Millie” Williams, she was Hefner’s first wife and the mother of his two children. Though she has remained away from the public eye for decades, interest in her life continues to resurface, especially regarding her relationship with Hefner, her family, and her current status.
This article dives deep into everything about who Millie Williams is, her age, her net worth, her life today, her relationship with Hugh Hefner, her marriages, and her children, piecing together the story of a woman who was part of an American cultural revolution—though she chose a very different path than her famous ex-husband.
Who Is Millie Williams?
Millie Williams was born on March 10, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in the Midwest, where she later pursued studies in sociology. At a time when women’s roles were mostly centered on homemaking and traditional family life, Millie stood out as a woman who valued education and personal growth.
Her claim to fame is closely tied to her marriage to Hugh Hefner. While Hefner would go on to create a global media empire and change the landscape of adult entertainment forever, Millie was the woman who supported him in his early years, long before Playboy became a household name.
Despite being associated with one of America’s most famous personalities, Millie deliberately chose a quiet life outside the spotlight. Unlike Hefner’s later partners, she did not bask in fame or public appearances. Instead, she lived largely privately, away from the media frenzy that surrounded her ex-husband.
Millie Williams Age
Born in 1926, Millie Williams would be 99 years old in 2025. This places her among a generation that lived through World War II, the post-war American boom, and the cultural transformations of the mid-20th century.
Her age is particularly striking because it reminds us of the era she came from—a time when social norms were very different, especially concerning marriage, gender roles, and career opportunities for women. While Hugh Hefner became a cultural icon of sexual liberation in the 1950s and beyond, Millie’s life reflected the more conventional paths expected of women of her generation.
Millie Williams and Hugh Hefner
Perhaps the most well-known part of Millie Williams’ story is her marriage to Hugh Hefner, which lasted from 1949 to 1959. They first met as young adults in Chicago, sharing similar Midwestern values at the time. Millie became the foundation of Hefner’s early married life, and together they navigated the struggles of building careers and raising children.
Their marriage was not without its challenges. Reports suggest that infidelity and differing life choices strained the relationship. Hefner himself admitted in interviews that both he and Millie were unfaithful at times, which contributed to the breakdown of their marriage. In a candid confession, Hefner noted that Millie revealed a premarital affair to him, which deeply affected their bond.
In 1959, after a decade together, the couple divorced. That year was pivotal for Hefner because it was shortly after he launched Playboy, marking his rise to fame while Millie stepped out of the picture. Their split was not just the end of a marriage—it was also the point where their life trajectories diverged dramatically. Hefner embraced the public, glamorous lifestyle, while Millie opted for privacy and distance from media scrutiny.
Millie Williams’ Relationships and Marriages
After her divorce from Hefner, Millie Williams lived a relatively private life. While there are unconfirmed reports that she remarried a man named Edward Gunn, this information remains inconsistent across sources. What is clear, however, is that Millie did not seek publicity in her relationships after leaving Hefner.
In contrast to Hefner—who went on to marry three more times and was constantly surrounded by companions—Millie chose discretion. Her story reflects a quieter journey of rebuilding her life away from public curiosity.
Millie Williams’ Children
Millie Williams and Hugh Hefner had two children together:
- Christie Hefner (born November 1952) – Christie grew up to become one of the most influential women in American media. She served as the CEO of Playboy Enterprises from 1988 to 2009, overseeing the company’s business operations during a time of great change in media and entertainment. Christie was widely respected for her leadership, taking the company beyond print into digital and international markets.
- David Hefner (born August 30, 1955) – Unlike his sister, David chose a life outside the limelight. He pursued a career in computer consulting and has kept his professional and personal life private.
Through her children, Millie maintained a lasting connection to the legacy of Hugh Hefner, even though she personally stayed far from Playboy’s empire.
Millie Williams Now
So, where is Millie Williams now? This question often comes up because of her connection to one of America’s most iconic figures. As of 2025, Millie would be 99 years old. Given her advanced age, it is likely that she lives a very quiet and private life, possibly surrounded by family.
Unlike many celebrity spouses who leverage their associations for fame or business ventures, Millie never pursued such a path. She has not been active in media appearances, interviews, or social platforms. Her choice of a reclusive life suggests that she values her privacy and prefers to live outside the shadow of her famous ex-husband.
Millie Williams Net Worth
The question of Millie Williams’ net worth is one that continues to circulate across online platforms. Several blog and celebrity net worth websites estimate her net worth at around $2 million. However, these figures should be treated cautiously because Millie has never publicly disclosed her financial situation.
Much of her financial standing likely comes from settlements during her divorce from Hugh Hefner, as well as support provided for raising their two children. Unlike Hugh Hefner—whose net worth was estimated at hundreds of millions at his peak—Millie’s lifestyle has been far more modest and private.
It is worth noting that net worth figures online often vary wildly, with some unreliable sources exaggerating numbers into the tens or hundreds of millions. Based on consistent reporting, however, the most realistic estimate of Millie’s net worth is in the low millions.
The Legacy of Millie Williams
Though she has not lived a public life, Millie Williams’ legacy is tied to one of the most recognizable names in 20th-century culture. As Hugh Hefner’s first wife and the mother of his children, she played a role in shaping the personal foundation of a man who would go on to become a cultural phenomenon.
Her story also provides a contrast to the world Hefner created: while he celebrated openness, fame, and indulgence, Millie chose discretion, modesty, and family life. She reminds us that behind the public narrative of larger-than-life figures are partners whose influence, though quieter, is deeply significant.
Conclusion
The story of Millie Williams is one of quiet strength and enduring mystery. From her early days as Hugh Hefner’s partner to her later years lived away from the spotlight, Millie represents a different side of celebrity life—one marked by privacy and personal dignity.
At nearly 99 years of age, Millie remains a figure of curiosity. People continue to ask: Who is Millie Williams? How old is she? What is her net worth? Where is she now? While answers to some of these questions remain uncertain, one thing is clear: she is a central figure in the early life of Hugh Hefner and the history of Playboy, even if she chose not to share in the fame that came with it.
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