Hugh Hefner sells his £75m home to the billionaire who lives next door
The 90-year-old magazine founder will still live at the iconic property which he bought in 1971
HUGH Hefner has sold the iconic Playboy Mansion to his next door neighbour for a staggering £75 million – but will continue to live at the sprawling Los Angeles property.
As part of the new deal, the 90-year-old ladies’ man and his bevy of busty blonde beauties will remain in the infamous party pad until he finally kicks the bucket.
New owner Daren Metropuolos, 32, owns a private equity firm and is heir to a billion dollar fortune which includes sweet-makers Hostess Brand which peddles cream-filled snack Twinkies.
The mega-rich buyer bought the house next door from the pipe-smoking pornographer in 2009 for £12 million.
The exact price of the new deal has yet to be confirmed although several reports suggest it is in the region of £75 million ($110 million) – considerably cheaper than its original asking price of £137 million ($200 million).
Daren’s company Metropoulos & Co released a statement saying he plans to merge the two 1920s-era houses into one colossal 7.3 acre compound once elderly Hugh meets his maker.
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"If the purchase closes and at some point after Mr Hefner's tenancy ends, Mr Metropoulos intends to reconnect the two estates.
"In the meantime, he is pleased to continue to have Mr Hefner as his neighbour and feels fortunate and privileged for the opportunity to serve as a steward of this historic property."
The mansion consists of 29 rooms and includes a game house, home theatre, wine cellar, gym, tennis court, swimming pool and a four-bedroom guest house.
Wealthy Daren will also be able to enjoy the notorious Playboy grotto which is a secluded part of the swimming pool area famous for midnight romping sessions involving silicone enhanced models and randy party guests.
Hugh, who is the founder of Playboy magazine, bought the mansion in 1971 for $1.05 million - which at the time was the largest real estate transaction in Los Angeles history.
The World War II veteran, affectionately known as Hef, lives at the L.A home with his glamorous 30-year-old wife Crystal who he married in 2012.
Hef, who has four children, is clearly looking to cash in before he dies. Earlier this year, it was reported that Playboy Enterprises Inc. is on the market for $500 million.
The magazine recently decided to stop featuring nude models for the first time in its 63 year history.
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