Hugh Hefner: Seven Things You Didn't Know About the Real Playboy

What do you know about Hugh Hefner, the founder and publisher of Playboy magazine? Or rather, what you don't know about the Playboy kingpin? Adding to the list of rumors about him, news of his death spread across social media on Monday, which was later downplayed by the magazine mogul via his Twitter account.

Amused by the rumors circulating he commented, I'm lying in bed next to Shera Bechard with a big smile on my face, reading tweets about my unexpected demise. I'm happy to see how many people are pleased that I'm not dead.

But let's avoid those rumors and center on the truth, which says there is a lot more to Hefner that we really know. Here are some interesting facts about the legendary patriarch of the Playboy Empire.

Sylvilagus Palustris Hefneri, also known as Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit, is an endangered sub-species of marsh rabbit named after Hefner

The subspecies was first described in a publication in the Journal of Mammalogy in 1984 by James D. Lazell Jr, after his research was funded in part by a contribution from the Playboy Corporation. The Lower Keys Marsh rabbit was then named in honor of Hugh M. Hefner in recognition of the financial support received by his corporation.

Former President George W. Bush, Senator John Kerry and Hefner are cousins

The Playboy founder is the ninth cousin of both Bush and Kerry. While twice removed from Bush, Hefner is a little closer relation to Kerry, only once removed.

Hefner finds his link to Bush and Kerry through Major William Bradford. According to Hefner, he is an 11th generation direct descendent of William Bradford, who came over on the Mayflower, a direct descendent of a puritan.

Hefner owns the tomb next to Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is buried in a pink marble crypt at Corridor of Memories. Hugh Hefner owns the rights to the crypt next to it.

The undated first issue of Playboy, published in December 1953, featured Marilyn Monroe from her 1949 nude calendar shoot. Most interestingly, Hefner never met Monroe. To feature in the first issue, he bought Monroe's photo form a local calendar printer.

Hefner slept with more than 2,000 women

On the occasion of his 80^th birthday, the Playboy boss confessed that he had slept with many beautiful ladies in his lifetime and he had lost count. Hefner said, I stopped counting a long time ago. My life is more about quality than quantity. Mind you, I still reckon I've easily had more than 2,000.

He told Britain's FHM magazine: At one of my birthday parties my girlfriend got me a special treat. She and 17 other playmates came into the grotto with me. That was one hell of a birthday.

The Playboy mansion with a zoo license

The Playboy mansion is one of the few selected private homes with a zoo license. The mansion has a staff of 70 individuals that include chefs, butlers, groundskeepers, maintenance, security and even zookeepers. The Playboy Mansion is also the only private home in Los Angeles to have a pyrotecnichal (fire crackers) licence.

Hefner lost virginity when he was 22 years old

The Playboy chief was a virgin until he was 21 years old. He admitted to the New York Times magazine that he didn't lose his virginity until he was 22 years old.

Every Sunday night is a movie night at the Playboy mansion

Hefner hosts a movie night on every Sunday night at the Playboy mansion. He has an elaborate collection of over 4,000 films atop the spiraling staircase of his bedroom.