The man who created Playboy magazine and spun into a media-entertainment giant, Hugh Hefner died Wednesday at his home, the Playboy Mansion near Beverly Hills (California). He was 91. Known for his much-public avatar with gorgeous women across the globe by his side, the pop culture icon's death was announced by the Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

"Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboy magazine and built the company into one of the most recognizable American global brands in history, peacefully passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones," Playboy Enterprises, Inc. said in a statement Wednesday night.

https://twitter.com/Playboy/status/913240335358111744

Hefner is survived by his wife Crystal and four grown children: Christie, David, Marston and Cooper.

Born in 1926, in Chicago, Hefner's parents were conservative Protestants from Nebraska. After graduating from high school in 1944, Hefner joined the U.S. Army as a writer for a military newspaper. Following World War II, he became a promotional copywriter at Esquire magazine. It was where he came up with the idea of publishing a men's magazine. Hefner published the debut issue of Playboy in December 1953, after raising money from investors.

While its debut issue had no takers, the second issue had actress Marilyn Monroe, who appeared in a nude centerfold. Playboy was an immediate success, selling more than 50,000 copies.

In years to follow, Playboy became synonymous with glamorous models and actresses who had no qualms in baring-it-all for the magazine's covers. Of Playboy’s iconic logo, Hefner once said that," 'The rabbit' in America has a sexual meaning; and I chose it because it’s a fresh animal, shy, vivacious, jumping — sexy.”

In 1971, Hefner purchased the legendary Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles where he lived until the time of his passing. The Mansion was popular for hosting its annual Playboy Halloween party, which never failed to become the talk-of-the-town.