I have long believed that similarity in interests rather than similarity in age is much more important for a good relationship. This, of course, raises the important question:  Just what are the common interests of Hugh and Crystal. I am not a big fan of reality TV shows, but now I am eager for Chrystal to become the main attraction of the reality TV show (which I just learned about) The Girls Next Door. I want to see how the 60 years in age difference works out when they are not going into the bedroom. What the news story below does not mention is that Playboy Entprises has fallen on very hard times lately. On the assumption that Chrystal believes that Hugh has big dough left, I can understand why Chrystal would want to marry Hugh given that Hugh in all likelihood will not be around that long. But why would Hugh want to marry Chrystal. Because she will not be his bunny unless he marries her? Will Hugh’s daughter, Christie, who ran Playboy Enterprises until 2008,  offer her services as bridesmade? I am beginning to think this is all a big publicity stunt and this announced mariage is not what the Pople has in mind for the institution. What a story. I need to start watching The Girls Next Door.

Playboy’s Hefner Announces Christmas Engagement on Twitter

Hugh Hefner, the twice-married founder of Playboy, is taking the plunge again.
Hefner, 84, said on Saturday in a posting on Twitter that he and his girlfriend Crystal Harris, 24, got engaged on Friday.
“When I gave Crystal the ring, she burst into tears. This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory,” Hefner tweeted.
Hefner, whose magazine was founded in 1953, was divorced from his second wife, Kimberley Conrad, earlier this year. His first marriage to Mildred Williams ended in divorce in 1959.
Harris was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for December 2009.
Hefner, known around the world by his nickname, Hef,  has championed sexual freedom and civil rights, published stories challenging McCarthyism and the Vietnam War, and backed gay causes and the legalization of marijuana.
With a cover featuring a calendar photo of Marilyn Monroe, Hefner put the first issue together on the kitchen table in his apartment. It hit the stands in December 1953 and sold 51,000 copies—enough to finance a second issue—and led to a multimillion dollar international corporation.

Source: New York Times

Update: October 20, 2011

This was probably just a publicity stunt for both of them.

Hugh Heffner’s ex-girlfriend Crystal Harris sells her ring, cheap

HUGH Hefner’s former fiancee has sold the engagement ring he gave her for almost half price.

The 85-year-old Playboy founder was due to marry Crystal Harris, 25, in June. She had second thoughts about the nuptials and called it off days before she was due to walk down the aisle.

Last month it was revealed she had listed the 3.39 carat ring Hefner had given her on an auction website.

The sale took place in New York City on Tuesday, and a lucky bidder managed to pick up a bargain. According to TMZ, the band sold for $37129.32, rising to $46411.65 once fees and taxes were calculated.

Hefner originally paid $87937.86 for the jewellery.

Despite the surprising reduction in price, the ring actually did better than had been predicted. Auctioneers had valued it at between $19541.75 and $29312.62.

Before deciding to sell the band Harris had tried to return it to her former fiance. However, he reportedly wasn’t interested in having it back.

She apparently decided to get rid of it to help her move on with her life.

“(Crystal) couldn’t bear to look at the ring anymore because it brought back bad memories,” a source explained.

Earlier this month, Hefner revealed he has no hard feelings about the auction. He explained he was happy for Harris to keep the ring as he also got something from their relationship.

“I got the dog, she got the ring,” he laughed. “I got the best of it.”