Crystal Hefner Finds New Love After Hugh
Crystal Hefner, the widow of Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner, is telling the world about her exciting new romance with James Ward.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, she gushed, “ With James, my feelings are valued, validated. I am seen and I am heard.”
Earlier this year, Crystal published her biography, “Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself,” which documented the years she spent as the American magazine publisher’s girlfriend and widow.
The gorgeous blonde famously abandoned Hugh at the altar before finally marrying him in 2012. The two were together until the Playboy founder died in 2017 at 91 years old.
In the publication, Crystal wrote about their “traumatic” and “emotionally abusive” marriage. She described Hugh’s controlling and hurtful behavior, pointing out how her former husband would make jokes about her weight and dictate what she would wear.
She also narrated a routine they had where Hugh would take a pill and how she was supposed to “perform” when he wanted to have intercourse.
“It was very traumatic,” the 37-year-old said. “It was emotionally abusive. It was very restrictive. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I was away from it for a while.”
Crystal Meets New Boyfriend
Crystal met James through mutual friends last April. She allowed her pals to set her up after they told her that James was a “nice guy.”
Describing her newfound love, she commented, “It’s just been this beautiful thing ever since. I’ve never felt like I’ve had someone that truly protects me. And in this relationship, I feel like I have a protector.”
Crystal added that she’s enjoying bonding with someone who’s closer to her age because they understand “a lot of the same references.”
She also couldn’t help but recall her past relationship with Hugh. “The relationship with Hef was, it was more one-sided. Like I always wanted to make sure that he was happy and that he had everything he needed,” recalled the ex-Playboy Bunny.
“I’m such a people pleaser, so, I always was that way toward Hef, like always people pleasing, making sure he was OK. The mansion and the world revolved around Hef. So, this is the first time where I feel it’s very reciprocal,” she marveled.
With Ward by her side, it looks like this former playmate has finally found the love and happiness she’s been looking for.
