By Christian Smith

The popular founder of the international adult magazine Playboy, has died at the age of 91.

Hugh Hefner,  who began publishing Playboy in his kitchen 60 years ago, passed away peacefully at home in Los Angeles,” Playboy Enterprises said in a statement.

“Hugh M. Hefner, the American icon who in 1953 introduced the world to Playboy magazine and built the company into one of the most recognisable American global brands in history, peacefully passed away today from natural causes at his home, The Playboy Mansion, surrounded by loved ones.”