Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner finally files for divorce after 11 year separation

Well, It’s not exactly the cutting edge of entertainment news, but after more than a decade of separation (and multiple, well-publicized girlfriends) Hugh Hefner is finally seeking an official return to his bachelor status. Hefner, 83, who was the founder of the Playboy empire in 1953 and face of the franchise, filed last week for a divorce from his wife and former Playmate, Kimberly.

This step is apparently the result of recent legal wrangling between Hefner and Conrad. Conrad-Hefner sued ‘Hef’ last month, claiming he owes her $4 million under their prenuptial agreement and for proceeds from the sale of the home she is living in. Her lawsuit also states Hefner agreed to pay her $250,000 per year for every year they were married after their fourth anniversary. While Hefner in his filings contends he paid his wife $750,000 when they separated, an amount he states he thought satisfied the prenuptial agreement. Hefner also claims to have paid almost $12 million to his wife and for her home since their separation. Hefner and Kimberly Conrad Hefner were married in 1989, the same year she was named Playmate of the Year and separated in 1998. Hefner continued to live at the mansion at the time, and Kimberly Hefner moved into a home next door with the couple’s then two young sons. Hefner, states that he has paid his sons’ school expenses and will continue to do so as both are in college.

Hefner is asking for a reduction in spousal support to $20,000 a month. According to sources, that would be about half of the $40,000 a month that the Playboy founder has been paying her since they separated in 1998; plus ‘Hef’ wants the monthly payments to end in two years, or after a trial on the couple’s divorce is held, whichever comes first.

Talk about separation anxiety…

Photo from sdentertainer@ymail.com via Flickr