How long were Crystal Hefner and Hugh Hefner married? Playboy Founder’s widow explains why she’s dropping famous last name

Crystal Hefner’s relationship with the Playboy icon lasted from their marriage in late 2012 until his passing in 2017. Crystal and Hugh spent nearly five years together as a married couple. Before marrying the millionaire, Crystal gained recognition under her maiden name.

Crystal Harris was already accustomed to the spotlight; she had participated in multiple Playboy shoots and reality television. By that time, he had already been married twice. Nonetheless, their bond proved meaningful for Hugh, who, in a 2014 chat with Us Weekly, didn’t hold back his affection:

“I tried marriage twice before but there’s no comparison, this is the real deal. And to find true love at this age? It’s remarkable.” he shared.

Crystal hefner also spoke emotionally after Hugh’s death at 91, honoring not only their love but also the man he was to the world.

“He was an American hero. A pioneer. A kind and humble soul who opened up his life and home to the world. I felt how much he loved me. I loved him so much.” she shared.

Crystal Hefner opens up about letting go of iconic surname:

Crystal Hefner has decided to drop the last name she kept for years after Hugh Hefner’s death. According to Us Weekly, her decision was not about fame. On July 17, she shared the emotional reasons for holding on to “Hefner” long after her husband passed in 2017.

Crystal explained that healing didn't come easily for her. She had to cultivate patience during her healing process.

“There’s always been a lot of noise around why I kept the Hefner name. I had so many people assuming it was for attention or clout. But the truth is, it was far more personal and complex than that. Holding onto that name wasn’t about fame — it was about survival,” she explained.

Crystal shared that her heart and mind didn't reach the same conclusion when she thought about going back to her maiden name. She explained that she couldn't move forward with the decision because she somehow knew she wasn't emotionally ready to let go.

“When you go through something as intense and all-consuming as that chapter of my life, you don’t just snap your fingers and reinvent yourself. You have to peel back the layers, face the trauma, and slowly come back to who you really are. I didn’t realize how much of myself I had lost. The name wasn’t a spotlight — it was a shadow I lived under for years while I worked through everything that came with it,” she added.

"And while there were moments I thought about changing it sooner, I wasn’t emotionally ready, I had to reclaim me first, and that took time, strength, and a lot of clarity. So no, it wasn’t about attention. It was about survival, identity, and eventually, healing,” she shared.

Crystal Hefner shared why she finally feels more comfortable using her maiden name.

“I’m finally in a place where I feel grounded, whole, and at peace. Changing my name isn’t about erasing the past — it’s about reclaiming my identity. It’s a homecoming. Harris is who I was before the world told me who to be, and it’s who I am now, after coming full circle,” she said.

Over the years, Crystal Hefner has been open about the emotional toll of living in the world of Playboy. She discussed the quiet pressure to perform and the challenge of rediscovering herself after stepping away from it all.

In a deeply personal moment shared during her 2024 NPR interview, Crystal Hefner described how lost she felt at the time.

“I remember leaving the mansion, and I remember just having a conversation like, oh, what do you like, Crystal? And I thought, I don't even know what I like. Like, who am I? And for me, that was hard, and it was depressing and sad, but I feel like I'm finally reclaiming myself and my power.” she shared.

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She is planning her wedding with her fiancé, James Ward, for spring 2026, looking ahead to the future.

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