I awoke this morning with the news that Hugh Hefner's 25 year old fiancé had jilted him, in seemingly suspicious circumstances, just a few days before they were set to wed.
Now before dismissing this as some aesthetically tawrdy information straight from the Hollywood headlines of TMZ, I would like to point out why this is actually important and why you should care for poor ol' Hef.
First of all, there is no one alive in the world today like Hugh Hefner.
There has never been anybody in history like Hugh Hefner.
And there never will be anyone in the subsequent millennia to compare to Hugh Hefner.
Now before the haters judge the man, i strongly recommend you to ignore the preconcieved stereotypes and check out this documentary by Brigitte Berman.
It takes an insightful look into his life where you learn a side to him that the majority of people fail to recognise.
It not only deals with his infamous taste for extravagance and, might we say, fairer things in life..But also how integral his part in social reform over the past 50 years has been and how he has shaped the world with his contributions.
Here is a preview:
Now the basis of my argument does lie with this documentary, so lets call this blog entry an extended footnote. However, let me say/vent this.
When a man who has a) come from nothing, b) built an empire, and c) has contributed so much to society, decides to surround himself with an entourage of young, attractive women in lieu of succumbing to society's pressures for relationships that the status quo deem's as "normal", then I'm sorry, Suzie Homemaker, i say LET HIM.
As I am a woman, some might think of this point of view as strange.
One might say even blasphemous to the rules of feminism to embrace such masculine displays of hedonism.
But whatever the 'ism', personally I believe that Hugh Hefner is one of those who has in fact has opened new doors and provided the modern world with a wider perspective for women's liberties.
Sure the 1960's revolution for women's rights encouraged the ladies to get out beyond their kitchens and gain equality in the workplace and in greater society, but what he has done since the 50's is created a glossy printed wonderland that exudes an exclusive kind of sophistication that is shown synonymously with confident, strong women.
A view that not many media sources promoted back in 'the day'.
Some may think that this kind of influence not possible with just the meer publication of a nudey magazine, but you only have to see the rabbit symbol plastered around the world to realise just how persuasive this assocation really is.
And while some deem Hefner's role as an objectifier of women, i fervently disagree to the extent that in my eyes at the very least he has created an institution that allows a woman freedom to do whatever she pleases in an evironment that does not discriminate.
Now while he does not paint the perfect picture of monogomy, he has never claimed to have. While he does not change his lifestyle, no matter what society pressures are upon him, he always claimed the utmost respect for women and stands firm with his strong values.
In a harmless middle finger to the naysayers, the ones who preach that what he peddles goes against the moral fibres of the community; The ones who praise the hard working "family" men of the world that im sure have more dirty laundry and sexual perversions hidden behind their white picket fences than Hefner has ever aired, he has managed to keep his head above the rough seas of predjudice and stayed true to his character and mission statement of "if you dont swing, dont ring".
Precisely.
Strip away your dirty minds for a second (yeah thats right, you went there again didnt you...you filthy animals) and see the true meaning of the words.
If you dont like it, you dont have to.
Words to live by.
His Playboy lifestyle may have lived up to his creations namesake, but it never hurt anybody.
And the point being that while many deem this lifestyle a joke, through armies of peroxide femme's and lavish mansion parties he has marched on proudly with an air of nonchalance and a sense of humour that allows him to even take the piss out of himself every once in awhile.
Among those who admire him - who understand him - he has always had the last laugh.
Up until today, this has been the case.
Back in December 2010, this sexual libertarian proposed to his 25 year old live-in girlfriend Crystal Harris in an uncharacteristic move that shocked those who knew him.
3rd time lucky maybe?
(For those not on the nose, this is not Hef's first attempt at marriage).
Who could blame this octogenerian rebel for one last shot at trying his hand at standard?
The picket fence.
The happy ending.
The cherry on top of a delicious life.
Sure, a potentially stupid move considering what 25 year old in their right mind would commit to an 85 year old for the right reasons?
(But lets face it, i very much doubt he was marrying her for technically right reasons either...)
A life like Hefs, in a world like ours, who could blame him for wanting a buxom blonde beauty as his blushing bride?
It may not have been the ideal marriage by any means, but a grand gesture of commitment in the best effort that he can muster nonetheless.
And through following Hefner's life like i have, (as those who know me well see that i take an avid interest in those who strive to become more than their mold) i know this much for sure: he does nothing without love.
So to know that this reltionship wasn't meerly a facade, it does make me sad to think that after all the incredible things he has accomplished in his life that this may very well be one of the last things he is remembered for, especially among the aforementioned field of bleeting sheep. And that, unfortunately, is...well...being a gullible schmuck.
And this, my friends, is why you should care.
While he might live a fantasy life, he is still subject to reality.
A unique individual, but a human nonetheless.
Whether your jealous, sickened or indifferent of the man, no one should go through getting your heart ripped out just 5 days short of heading down the aisle.
Not at your age, and certainly not at the ripe old age of 85.
Not in the life you lead, and certainly not in the life he has.
So before you write this chapter of Hef's into your minds as his legacy and have a chuckle at his expense, realise that it's a heartbreaking day for someone who is not only rich is lifestyle but rich in heart, and that he deserves a lot more respect than what has been handed to him today by a 15 minute of famer.
But then again, maybe he has had the last laugh once again after all?
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