What Really Happened to Millie Williams After Her Divorce from Hugh Hefner?

Most people know about Playboy and its famous creator, Hugh Hefner. But before all the big parties and the Playboy Mansion, there was a woman named Millie Williams — his very first wife.

Millie was there before the money, before the fame, and before the magazine. She helped Hugh in his early life, but later, they went different ways. After their divorce, Millie disappeared from the public eye. So what happened to her? Did she find happiness? Where is she now?

In this article, we’ll talk about Millie Williams’ full story — from her early life to her marriage with Hugh Hefner, and what she did after they split.

Millie Williams Quick bio

Who Is Millie Williams?

Millie Williams, whose real name is Mildred Williams, was born on March 10, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in a regular home with her parents. We don’t know much about her family, but her childhood was simple and quiet.

Millie was not famous. Even after marrying Hugh Hefner, she stayed away from the cameras. She didn’t want attention or fame. She just wanted a peaceful life. But because of her link to Hefner, people are still curious about her even today.

Millie Williams’ Education and Early Dreams

Millie went to school in Chicago and did well. After high school, she got into Northwestern University, a big college in Illinois. She started studying sociology, which means learning about how people live and interact.

But she didn’t stay long. After one semester, she left college. We don’t know why, but it may be because her relationship with Hugh was getting serious. She was starting a new chapter in life — one that would lead her into the spotlight.

How Millie Williams Met Hugh Hefner

Millie met Hugh Hefner when they were both students at Northwestern. They became close and started dating. Later, Hugh joined the Army, and Millie waited for him to come home.

They wrote letters and stayed connected. When Hugh came back from the Army, they decided to take the next big step. Their love was strong, and they were ready to build a future together.

Millie Williams and Hugh Hefner’s Married Life

Millie and Hugh got married on June 25, 1949. They were both 23 years old. Their wedding was small and private, with close family and friends.

At first, their life was simple. Hugh was still working on his career, and Millie helped him. She supported him as he worked on big ideas — including what would later become Playboy. Millie focused on their home and family. She was not trying to be in the spotlight. She just wanted a happy, normal life.

Children of Millie Williams and Hugh Hefner

Millie and Hugh had two children. Their daughter Christie Hefner was born on November 8, 1952. Their son David Hefner was born on August 30, 1955.

Christie became well-known. She helped run the Playboy company for many years. She was the CEO and Chairperson from 1988 to 2008. She was smart, strong, and followed in her father’s footsteps.

David, their son, chose a quiet life. He became a computer expert and now runs his own business in Northern California. Like his mom, he stays away from the media.

Why Millie Williams and Hugh Hefner Got Divorced

Sadly, their marriage didn’t last forever. Millie and Hugh got divorced in 1959 after 10 years together.

Before they got married, Millie told Hugh that she had an affair while he was in the Army. She wanted to be honest. But this made Hugh very sad because he had saved himself for her. He felt heartbroken.

Millie felt guilty. To make things better, she let Hugh have other girlfriends even after they got married. But this only made things worse. The love faded, and they decided to end the marriage.

Millie Williams’ Life After the Divorce from Hugh Hefner

After the divorce, Millie stayed single for many years. She focused on her children and lived a quiet life.

Later, she got married again to a man named Edwin Gunn. He even adopted her kids, and they changed their last name to Gunn for a while.

But sadly, this marriage also didn’t last. They broke up, and her children changed their last name back to Hefner. Millie didn’t talk to the media. She stayed away from fame and just wanted peace.

What Did Millie Williams Do After Leaving the Spotlight?

After her second marriage ended, Millie Williams chose a quiet and private life. She didn’t want to be in the news or on TV. She didn’t give interviews or try to be famous. She just wanted peace.

She spent most of her time staying away from the public. There were no big events or red carpets. She wasn’t on social media either. This made it hard for people to know what she was doing. But maybe that’s what she wanted — a calm and simple life.

Even though she stayed quiet, Millie did appear in two documentaries. In 1993, she was seen in 60 Minutes, which was about Hugh Hefner and his life. Later, in 2006, she appeared in E! True Hollywood Story. These were the only times people saw her speak about her past.

Where Is Millie Williams Now?

Many people still ask, “Where is Millie Williams now?” That’s a good question — and the truth is, no one really knows for sure. But there is no report that she has passed away. So, as of 2025, Millie is believed to still be alive at 99 years old.

She’s not in the public eye, so she could be living quietly somewhere in the U.S., maybe near family or close friends. Since she isn’t online and doesn’t talk to the media, it’s hard to find any new pictures or updates about her.

Still, many people are happy to know she’s alive. After everything she went through, it’s nice to think that Millie Williams is enjoying peace and rest in her later years.

Millie Williams’ Net Worth and Divorce Settlement

So, how much money does Millie Williams have? That’s another question people often ask. But Millie never talked about money in public. She kept her finances private, just like the rest of her life.

What we do know is that she likely received a good amount of money after her divorce from Hugh Hefner. At the time of his death in 2017, Hugh’s net worth was around $45 to $50 million. Since Millie was his first wife and the mother of his first two kids, she may have gotten a fair share when they separated.

But Millie never showed off her money. She didn’t live a flashy life or chase luxury. That tells us something about her personality — she cared more about peace than wealth or fame.

What Made Millie Williams So Different from Hugh Hefner’s Other Wives?

Hugh Hefner married three times in total. But Millie Williams was different from the other two wives. She was there before the Playboy Mansion, before the magazine, and before the parties.

Millie met Hugh when they were both students. She didn’t fall in love with a rich man — she fell in love with a young dreamer. She supported him in the early years, helped raise his children, and stood by him during his struggles.

The other wives came later, when Hugh was already famous. They lived in the spotlight. But Millie Williams chose a quiet life. She didn’t care about cameras or magazine covers. That’s what made her story so unique and special.

Final Thoughts

Even though Millie Williams hasn’t been seen much in recent years, many people still want to know her story. She played an important part in Hugh Hefner’s life — not as a model or TV star, but as his first love, his first wife, and the mother of his children.

Her story reminds us that not everyone wants fame. Some people, like Millie, choose peace over attention, and that choice is powerful. She showed strength in hard times and stayed true to herself, even when the world around her was changing fast.

As we look back at the life of Hugh Hefner, we should also remember Millie Williams — the woman who stood by his side in the beginning, helped raise two successful children, and then quietly stepped away to live life her own way.

Her story is simple, quiet, and beautiful. And maybe that’s exactly what makes it worth remembering.

(FAQs)

Was Millie Williams really Hugh Hefner’s first wife?

Yes! Millie Williams was Hugh Hefner’s first love and first wife, marrying him in 1949 — way before Playboy made him famous.

Is Millie Williams still alive in 2025?

Surprisingly, yes! As of 2025, Millie Williams is still alive at 99 years old, living a quiet and private life away from the media.

How old is Millie Williams now?

Millie was born on March 10, 1926, which means she turned 99 years old in 2025 — and she’s still going strong!

What did Millie Williams look like when she was young?

In her younger days, Millie was known for her classic beauty and grace. Photos from her wedding show a simple, elegant woman — far from the flashy world Hugh later entered.

How much is Millie Williams’ net worth today?

Millie never shared her net worth, but after her divorce from Hugh Hefner, she likely received a large settlement. Experts believe her net worth could be in the millions, though she always lived simply.