Crystal Hefner has officially moved on from the iconic Playboy mansion, marking a significant life transition.
The 39-year-old, who was married to the late Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his passing in 2017, recently announced her engagement to her boyfriend, James Ward, 41, on April 25, at her beautiful home in Hawaii. The couple shared this exciting news with Us Weekly, celebrating a new chapter in their lives.
In a delightful twist of fate, the marine biologist’s engagement proposal came as a complete surprise to Crystal, who met James through mutual friends just a year ago in 2024.
“It truly feels like a full-circle moment. James completely surprised me,” she expressed in an interview with Us Weekly published on May 2. “He had a hidden staircase and a winding trail cleared to reveal a handcrafted deck perched above a dramatic cliffside overlooking the ocean.”
Crystal elaborated on the breathtaking moment, saying, “It was the exact spot where we’d shared a quiet picnic together a year ago—a place that became ‘ours.’ I had no idea he was secretly transforming it into something permanent and significant. I thought we were simply going for a walk, but when I saw the flowers, the handwritten notes, and the vast sea stretching endlessly in front of us, I realized something extraordinary was about to unfold.”
The couple shared their intention to “enjoy being engaged for a while,” with plans to tie the knot in 2026. According to Crystal, they envision having an intimate wedding ceremony that is “full of love, meaning, and connection,” emphasizing the importance of creating lasting memories together.
