Hefner, Christie

Corporate Success

Hefner's parents separated before she turned 5 years old, and she spent her early years out of the Playboy-centered spotlight in Willmette, Illinois, where she graduated from New Trier High School before attending the Interlochen Center for the Arts. In 1974, Hefner graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University with a degree in English and American Literature. After just one year working in journalism, Hefner went to work for her father at Playboy Enterprises; by 1982, she was named vice president of the corporation.

In 1988, Hefner took over as the corporation's chief executive officer, and in 1994, she made the risky decision to create an online presence for the company-making it the first national magazine on the Web. After the success of this online venture, Hefner exported the Playboy brand overseas and continued to grow its U.S. presence with the creation of videogames, Playboy stores, and new entertainment venues in Las Vegas and overseas. Under her care, Playboy's global retail sales have grown to more than $500 million. In 2005, Hefner was named number 90 on the Forbes list of the 100 most powerful women.

During her time at Playboy Enterprises, Christie Hefner started the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Awards, named for her father, and awarded to people who are thought to have made important contributions to the protection of the First Amendment Rights. Recipients include Michael Moore, Bill Maher, and Molly Ivins. Hefner has also been credited with raising more than $30 million toward the CORE Center in Chicago, Illinois-the first AIDS outpatient treatment facility located in the midwest.

Christie Hefner, daughter of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, was publisher of Playboy until 2009.