Hugh Hefner says age gap not a problem

Hugh Hefner insists the 61-year age gap between him and his fiancee is not a problem.

The 85-year-old Playboy founder is preparing to marry 24-year-old beauty Crystal Harris, and he insists it’s only other people who have difficulty comprehending their relationship.

“If you’re in good health, age is just a number. I’m consistent; when I was 20 I was dating 20-year-old girls and now I’m 85 I’m still dating them,” he said.

“We have lots in common. A very similar sense of humour. I can’t foresee having a happier relationship than this one in the years ahead for me.”

Hugh worked hard to fight for equal civil rights in the 50s and 60s, and also took part in many debates with feminists defending the representation of women in his magazine, but now he says ageism is the obstacle he finds himself battling against most.

“To begin with I fought racism, then sexism, now I’m fighting ageism. One defines oneself in one’s own terms. If you let society and your peers define who you are, you’re the less for it,” he said.

Hugh insists the Playboy brand has a number of female fans and he feels he promotes a positive image to women.

“We live in a post-feminist society where a lot of women have grown up watching things like the popular reality show that was set in the Playboy mansion. The majority of viewers of that show were young women. I’m on twitter and get fan messages, a lot from young women, who love Playboy and love the bunny,” he explained.

Hugh and Crystal are set to wed in an outdoor ceremony at the Playboy Mansion on June 18 in front of 300 family members and friends.