An engagement for all.
Hugh Hefner’s widow is able to stroll down the aisle once more.
Crystal Hefner, 39, is engaged to James Ward after one yr of relationship — and 7 years after the Playboy founder died at 91.
The marine biologist popped the query with a six-carat diamond ring on Friday, April 25, after spending a month in Africa to rejoice their first anniversary.
Hefner confirmed the engagement and shared her classic sparkler in an interview with Us Weekly printed Friday, Might 2.
Ward acquired down on one knee on the former Playboy mannequin’s residence in Hawaii on the seaside deck he constructed her.
The engagement occurred simply days earlier than Hefner turned 39 on April 29.
She spilled all about her romantic “surprise” proposal, calling it a “full-circle moment.”
“James completely surprised me. He had a hidden staircase and a winding trail cleared to reveal a handcrafted deck perched above a dramatic cliffside overlooking the ocean,” the previous “Girls Next Door” star instructed Us Weekly.
Hefner revealed the particular which means behind the proposal location.
“It was the exact spot where we’d had a quiet picnic together a year ago — a place that became ‘ours,’” she stated. “I had no idea he was secretly turning it into something permanent and symbolic. I thought we were just going for a walk, but when I saw the flowers, the handwritten notes, and the sea stretching endlessly in front of us, I knew something extraordinary was about to happen.”
Crystal Hefner/Instagram
The ex-model stated as she made her means down the trail, she was “puzzled” to find a brand new staircase dressed with handwritten notes that had been “deeply heartfelt” that overwhelmed her with emotion — however she thought it was an early birthday shock.
“I was already tearing up when I reached the final card, which was waiting for me on the deck, overlooking the waves. At first, I thought it was an early birthday surprise,” Hefner defined. “But the words in the notes gently hinted at something more. And when I realized he had built an entire deck just to create a space for this moment, I was overwhelmed. It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me.”
She “didn’t suspect a thing” till her now husband-to-be dropped to 1 knee.
“The whole time we were [on a vacation] in Africa, I thought we were having a peaceful, unplugged adventure — but behind the scenes, he was coordinating this incredibly elaborate and meaningful proposal back home,” the longer term Mrs. Ward joked. “I’m still amazed he pulled it off so seamlessly. I had told him I had never really been surprised before, so I think he felt like the challenge was accepted.”
Hefner additionally in contrast her engagements, saying that her wedding ceremony with Hefner felt “more about public perception than genuine partnership.”
“This chapter feels like real life — in the most grounded, beautiful, and emotionally honest way,” she shared. “My first wedding ceremony was a part of a chapter that felt performative, extra about public notion than real partnership. I didn’t even put on white. It didn’t really feel like a sacred milestone; it felt like enjoying a task in another person’s story.
Hefner continued, “This time, with James, it’s completely different. We’re best friends. We laugh, support each other and navigate life hand-in-hand. Our wedding will reflect that — simple, heartfelt, and full of love. Not a show, but a celebration of the life we’ve built together.”
Regardless of her pleasure, Hefner revealed she has no quick plans to say “I do.”
The couple stated they plan to “enjoy being engaged for awhile,” with a doable wedding ceremony ceremony coming in 2026.
Crystal and Ward began relationship in 2024 after being launched by mutual pals.
The ex-Playboy mannequin moved to Hawaii after Hugh died in 2017.
She was married to the enterprise mannequin for 5 years earlier than his passing. They tied the knot in December 2012 and remained married till his dying.
