BARBI BENTON | BORN 1950

Barbi Benton is celebrated as a cultural icon, having soared to fame in the ’60s and ’70s, partly due to her association with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. Born into a Jewish family, her father a gynecologist and her mother an investment consultant, Benton initially pursued a career in veterinary science. However, her discomfort with blood led her to abandon this path. At the age of 16, Benton embarked on a modeling career and gained prominence after featuring on “Playboy After Dark,” eventually co-hosting the show as her relationship with Hefner developed.

Her appearances in Playboy Magazine furthered her fame, and she transitioned into television with roles in the comedy series “Hee Haw.” Beyond her on-screen endeavors, Benton also pursued music, releasing five studio albums and establishing herself as a recording artist.