Christie Ann Hefner was born on November 8, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, where she spent a brief period of her childhood before her parents, Hugh Hefner, the renowned creator of the Playboy empire, and Mildred Williams, separated. Following her parents' separation, Christie and her brother David relocated to Wilmette, Illinois, where they resided in the suburbs and attended school.
Christie grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, and graduated from New Trier High School. She then pursued higher education at Brandeis University, where she majored in English and was an exceptional student. In her junior year, she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, a prestigious academic honor society, and went on to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American literature in 1974.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Christie was appointed as a President's Councilor at her alma mater, Brandeis University, in 1978. Initially, she considered pursuing a career in journalism or law, but instead, she began working at Playboy, the company founded by her father, as an intermediate step. Over the course of five years, she climbed the corporate ladder, eventually becoming Vice President of Playboy Enterprises Inc.
In 1988, Christie took over as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Playboy Enterprises Inc., succeeding her father, Hugh Hefner, in the position. During her tenure, she established the Hugh Hefner First Amendment Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the protection and advancement of the First Amendment.
In her personal life, Christie married William A. Marovitz, a former Illinois state senator, real estate developer, and attorney, in 1995.
