Hugh Hefner Responds to Holly Madison's Shocking Claims About Life in the Playboy Mansion

Hugh Hefner with Playmates Holly Madison, Kendra Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt. Photo: Getty

Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner has responded to former girlfriend Holly Madison's claims that he manipulated her during her time at the Playboy Mansion, a period of her life she dubbed a "nightmare."

"Over the course of my life I've had more than my fair share of romantic relationships with wonderful women," Hefner, 89, said in a statement to WHO. "Many moved on to live happy, healthy and productive lives and I'm pleased to say remain dear friends today. Sadly, there are a few who have chosen to rewrite history in an attempt to stay in the spotlight."

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Madison's new book, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, which hits stores on Tuesday, reveals that she considered suicide while living with Hefner in the Playboy Mansion.

"I guess, as the old saying goes: You can't win 'em all," Hefner's statement concluded.

Madison, 35, calls Hefner's world "twisted," and she writes, "Everyone thinks that the infamous metal gate was meant to keep people out. But I grew to feel it was meant to lock me in."

The former Girls Next Door star described the Playboy world as dramatic and said Hefner pitted his girlfriends against one another.

Madison now has no relationship with the mogul, but she doesn't regret her time in the Mansion, according to a source. "She's tired of people thinking Playboy was an idyllic world," the source told WHO. "She wants to finally be the one to tell her own story. And after that, close that door and nail it shut!"

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