Hugh Hefner of Playboy Files for Divorce after Separation

Playboy magazine owner Hugh Hefner, 83, filed for divorce this week from Kimberly Conrad. The Playboy tycoon and his Playmate of the Month wife legally separated in California in 1988. Hefner bought the house next door for Kimberly and their two sons, Marston and Cooper, both college-ages at this time. He now lives in the Playboy Mansion with three girlfriends.

The Hefner’s Separation Agreement

Many couples like the Hefners choose a legal separation before a divorce. It could be for religious, child-related or financial reasons, and I am guessing the latter two were the reasons the Hefners didn’t divorce right away. Hefner has said that he is filing for divorce because his son Cooper will be turning 18 soon.

Kimberly Conrad Hefner says she and her playboy husband drafted a pre-nuptial agreement. She says Hefner still owes her $4 million, the proceeds from the sale of her home, and $250,000 for every year they were married after the fourth year.

Hefner has been paying Kimberly $40,000 a month in spousal support; this sum and other payments have totaled almost $12 million since their separation. Hefner wants to cut the $40,000 alimony to $20,000, and wants payments to end in two years.

Playboy Magazine

Playboy magazine was created in 1953 by Hefner, and its intention was to provide satirical, political and fresh articles and pictures. The first issue had a picture of Marilyn Monroe in the centerfold, which at the time was slotted for another magazine. Of course the Monroe picture made the issue fly off the shelves. Ever increasing in popularity, the magazine featured pictures of well-known film and TV actresses such Drew Barrymore, Kim Basinger, Farrah Fawcett, and all the women of the hit show Bay Watch. In 2005, the total circulation was over 3,000,000 worldwide, despite a ban of the magazine in some countries, as well as fierce competitions from some other popular men’s magazines such as Penthouse and Oui.

Hefner Copyright Legal Battle

This is not Hefner’s first legal battle. In 1999 the magazine sued Netscape and Excite for illegally using the trademark terms “Playboy” and “Playmate” in their internet advertising. The lawsuit was appealed by the 9th Circuit of the US Court of Appeals in 2004. The court ruled that the two trademarked terms should be protected.

California Divorce

If you are wondering what steps are involved in a divorce in California, check out this California divorce website. I’m sure Hefner had the best legal team for his divorce. A pre-nuptial actually plans for a divorce before the couple is even married. How is any marriage supposed to survive that?

I am so mad I fell asleep!!!!!

I had to hear it from Q104.3, which is Jim Kerr’s morning radio show. I missed The Late Show with David Letterman which had Paul McCartney perform on the Ed Sullivan Theater Marquee. Oh to be a fly on that stage!!! There are a ton of videos posted on the internet already. A few broke copyright law and had to be pulled off YouTube. Here’s a snapshot of the show from CBS.com.

Did you know that the Paul McCartney and the Beatles debuted on the Ed Sullivan Show 45 years ago? The question at the water cool at my office this morning is “What’s your favorite Beatles song?” Although I am a total fan of all the songs on The White Album, I love the song “I Will.” It is definitely my favorite!

Paul McCartney has had copyright issues with the music from the Beatles early days. I’ve read up on how England has a 50 year copyright limit. Hard to believe fans would even deny McCartney keeping the rights to his own music.