Crystal Hefner Announces Engagement to James Ward

Crystal Hefner, widow of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, is engaged to marine biologist James Ward after a year of dating. Ward proposed with a six-carat vintage mine-cut diamond ring on April 25 at Hefner's Hawaii home, just before her 39th birthday and after they returned from an anniversary trip to Africa. The surprise proposal took place on a handcrafted deck overlooking the ocean, a meaningful spot for the couple. Ward planned the event with a hidden staircase, handwritten notes, and enlisted friends to help keep it a secret from Hefner. The couple, who met through mutual friends in April 2024, are considering a simple, nature-focused wedding in Hawaii or the Cook Islands. Hefner described the proposal as deeply thoughtful and a full-circle moment, signifying a new chapter in her life.