Hugh Hefner, 84, engaged to Playmate Crystal Harris, 24

Hugh Hefner got engaged to Playmate Crystal Harris on Christmas Eve, announcing on Twitter that he'd given her a ring, then clarifying the next day that it was indeed a ring of the engagement variety.

"When I gave Crystal the ring, she burst into tears. This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory," the Playboy magazine founder tweeted Saturday.

Harris, 24, met Hef on Halloween 2008 and was Playmate of the Month in December 2009. Hefner, 84, chose his first Playmate of the Month in 1953.

This will be his third marriage. No. 1 to Mildred Williams ended in 1959; No. 2 to Kimberley Conrad ended this year. Not that they've been the only women in his life — in May, after asking them to leave the Playboy Mansion for the nearby Playboy House so he could get more serious with Harris, Hefner booted twin ex-girlfriends Karissa and Kristina Shannon off the Playboy property entirely. Turns out he wasn't cool with them bringing boyfriends to his place.

Back at the mansion, after watching "Elf" on Thursday, Hugh and Crystal hosted friends and family Friday, screening Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp's new flick, "The Tourist."

"After the movie tonight, Crystal & I exchanged gifts. I gave Crystal a ring," Hef tweeted. "A truly memorable Christmas Eve."

Thoughts for the happy couple? That's what the comments section is for.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla

Reuters contributed to this report.

Photo:  Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris in December 2009. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[juice]

Why didn't Holly get that chance?

[timsored]

Should we have expected anything less from the guru of Playboy?
Good luck Heff. She looks like a real sweetie.

[Gayle]

BIg rip, and this marriage is as real as the others? 10 years for those.... IF she can hang on till he dies she'll be really well off....gotta wonder where peoples heads are at.

[bruce smirnoff]

She's great Hef!! Hold on to this one, she's a winner. I'll bet she's got you skydiving on the Honeymoon.

[jane]

Can you say "Anna Nicole" ?

[DIANA]

Can anyone say "prenup"? Or this just a publicity stunt to get the Playboy enterprises image looking younger.

[gaga341]

Seriously this guy is such a sick perv, hopefully he loses all his money when she dumps him. But I guess shes just as sick and twisted. Seriously a 60 year age difference? SO disgusting. Im sure her parents love the fact their daughter is marrying someone older tham them.

[Angie]

Holly did get that chance. She blew it when she cheated on Hef with Criss Angel.

[waskoma]

What proud parents she must have. "Gee Harriet, my 24 year old dumb slut daughter is marrying an 84 year old man for money and a future reality show. I am sooo proud."

[K]

jane said, "Can you say "Anna Nicole"?"

My immediate reaction when I read this. This is all about money, and he is, after all...Hugh Hefner.

[kpod]

he should know better, its sick really aint it...what a perv...60 years younger
he should be locked up, im putting him on the same par as Gary Glitter...
money talks hey

[johnspain]

They ae both adults and as long as they do not hurt anyone else i say have some fun.Its up to them.

[j bounce]

how in any way is this sick its you bunch of idiots that are sick just because ur 84 dose't mean you think any different from when you are in ur 20s 30s 40s your just in a older body, the girls 24 and a woman now and im sure shes old enough to make her own mind up ,shes very lucky would you perfer her to marry some waster just cause hes young i dont think so hefs lucky enough to be a legand and a very rich one at that woman allways go for fame power and money over looks and age thats just how the world is if i was him i would't have lived my life any other way good luck to them i would love to have partied at the playboy mansion !!

[Crazy Horse]

Hilarious!

I guess she'll help him with his diapers.

His kids sure are ugly by the way.

[Dr. Kevorkian]

I think this is just sick.

[Dr. Phil]

I predict when Crystal gives birth (!) to Lil' Hughie, Jr. he will live a well adjusted life.

[zygion]

Ick.

[marcantoni]

Is there any fun having a sexual relation with your grandfather? I guess someone 'd explain it to me?

[Patricia]

Just goes to show -- genius, graciousness and humor are sexy at any age.

And angry judgmental people are repulsive at any age.

[Dancing Scorpion]

SAY IT AIN'T SO, HUGH. WHY, WHY IS THIS NECESSARY? EVEN WITH A PRENUP THIS IS A BIG MISTAKE FOR AN EIGHTY YEAR-OLD FART TO MAKE. THINK OF YOUR HEART, HUGH. AND WHY IS IT THAT YOU WON'T GIVE YOUR JOHN THOMAS A WELL DESERVED REST. CAN'T YOU GROW OLD GRACEFULLY. TOP OF THE LINE BIMBOS LIKE THIS ARE A DIME A DOZEN (AT LEAST) IN TINSELTOWN. I CAN ONLY HOPE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ABORT THIS NONSENSE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE...

[Hmph]

And the Gold Digger Award goes to...

[ChaChaheels]

I ain't sayin' she's a golddigga'...

[Rocco St.Bruno]

She is a gold digger and he is just an old pervert. These two are exactly whats wrong with the world today.

[James]

Player to the end...the end of play boy...but what does he care!

[Quintes Lewis]

They both deserve each other. They both get what they want. Him a young female to help his stay young (in his mind) and her, relaity fame and a big buyout when he moves on tho that big penthouse in the sky!!