Crystal Hefner, former wife of Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner, has released her memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, where she candidly speaks about her marriage and the challenges she faced at the Playboy Mansion.
In the book, the 37-year-old former Playmate attributed her battle with Lyme disease and breast implant illness to the notorious Playboy Mansion.
Crystal, who was wed to Hugh from 2012 until his death at 91 in 2017, claims the mansion's grotty environment attacked her immune system.
Crystal unveiled her belief that the litany of health issues she faced while residing at the mansion was caused by black mold infestation.
"I not only had Lyme disease, but also breast implant illness, and my blood work and symptoms also suggested toxic mold exposure," Crystal reveals in her book, as cited by WFMZ.
"The house itself was literally making me sick. The funniest thing to me – darkly funny – was the way that Hef had always insisted that the mansion was better than the outside world, right down to the air."
Crystal alleges that black mold lurked in the mansion's vents, contributing to her deteriorating health. Describing the mansion as a "beautiful English Tudor home" on five acres in the heart of LA, she emphasizes how the lack of proper cleaning led to a moldy and dusty environment, making it feel "rundown and gross."
Aside from the health concerns, Crystal disclosed a set of "unspoken rules" she had to endure after moving into the Playboy Mansion. The "No 1 most important" rule, according to her, was to always adore Hugh. Another unspoken requirement was plastic surgery, which she claims created a competitive atmosphere among the women in the house.
Crystal underwent various procedures, including breast implants, a nose job, and liposuction in order to fit the mold expected of her. "It was unspoken but also very clear that there was no other option if I wanted to stay," she reveals in her memoir.
Elsewhere in the book, Crystal sheds light on Hugh's alleged controlling behavior towards the women in the house, claiming he dictated details as minor as the color of their nail polish and commented on their hair roots. She disclosed enduring scalp burns to meet Hefner's standards, illustrating the power dynamics within the mansion.
Despite taking on the role of Hugh's caregiver in his final years, Crystal admits she was never 'in love' with him.
She emphasized the hidden costs of the Playboy Mansion lifestyle, stating: "It’s a world of success and fantasy, where everyone's having to sleep with an 80-year-old. There's a price. Everything has a price."
