By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-10 00:51:06 | Updated at 2026-06-11 09:17:33
1 day ago
Crystal Hefner is wasting no time turning the page.
Just months after marrying Hawaii businessman James Ward, the widow of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner has put her lavish Hollywood Hills home on the market for $3.5 million.
The 39-year-old former Playboy model tied the knot with Ward, 42, in an intimate ceremony on the Cook Island of Aitutaki earlier this year, nearly a decade after Hefner's death at age 91.
Now, it appears another major life change could be underway, with her Mediterranean-style retreat officially up for sale.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom property spans 2,233 square feet and offers sweeping city views and a rare sense of seclusion, per the listing.
Adding an extra layer of intrigue, the luxury hideaway is located just steps from the famed Playboy Mansion, which recently emerged from a years-long renovation following its $100 million sale to a Greek billionaire in 2016.
Crystal Hefner, the widow of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, has put her lavish Hollywood Hills home on the market for $3.5 million; Above, in 2014
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom property spans 2,233 square feet and offers sweeping city views and a rare sense of seclusion, per the listing
Crystal's property delivers plenty more than just an enviable address.
Designed for both luxury and privacy, the residence is equipped with a state-of-the-art security system, along with rolling tamper-proof, bullet-resistant shutters that secure the entire property, according to the realtor.
Inside, upscale finishes can be found at every turn, from walnut hardwood floors and custom cabinetry to artisan tilework and Waterworks fixtures.
The home boasts a whole-house Aquasana water filtration system and an IQAir-filtered HVAC setup.
A chef's kitchen is fitted with premium Viking appliances and a built-in Liebherr refrigerator, all seamlessly incorporated into bespoke cabinetry and flowing into spacious indoor-outdoor entertaining areas.
Outside, the grounds are complete with a sparkling pool, decorative fountains, multiple outdoor fireplaces and several terraces.
Meanwhile, the famous estate down the street looks dramatically different these days.
After years hidden behind construction barriers, the legendary Playboy Mansion recently emerged from an extensive top-to-bottom transformation overseen by owner Daren Metropoulos, who purchased the property in 2016 for a reported $100 million.
Inside, upscale finishes can be found at every turn, from walnut hardwood floors and custom cabinetry to artisan tilework and Waterworks fixtures
Adding an extra layer of intrigue, the luxury hideaway is located just steps from the famed Playboy Mansion, which recently emerged from a years-long renovation following its $100 million sale to a Greek billionaire in 2016
After years hidden behind construction barriers, the legendary Playboy Mansion recently emerged from an extensive top-to-bottom transformation overseen by owner Daren Metropoulos, who purchased the property in 2016 for a reported $100 million
The businessman - whose family is known for investments in brands including Hostess and Pabst - had long been familiar with the neighborhood, having previously lived in the mansion immediately adjacent to the iconic estate.
As part of the sale agreement, Hefner was permitted to remain in the residence until his death in 2017, after which work began on an ambitious restoration project aimed at reviving the property's former grandeur.
The sprawling Holmby Hills compound has since been extensively modernized while preserving many of its historic features.
The renovation marked a striking contrast to descriptions offered by Crystal in recent years.
In her 2024 memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, she made a series of candid revelations about her life at the mansion, claiming she felt trapped during her marriage and alleging the once-glamorous property had fallen into disrepair behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, Crystal's decision to list her Hollywood Hills retreat comes just months after marrying businessman Ward.
The couple exchanged vows in April, less than a year after announcing their engagement.
After debuting their relationship in 2024, Crystal described Ward as a healing presence in her life following years of personal upheaval.
Her marriage to Ward marks a starkly different chapter from her headline-making union with Hefner, whom she married in 2012 when she was 26 and he was 86.
