Crystal Harris, the widow of Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, has remarried nearly nine years after Hefner's death at age 91. The 39-year-old former Playboy centerfold tied the knot with Hawaii-based businessman James Ward, 42, in a private ceremony held on the remote island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.
An Intimate and Ocean-Inspired Celebration
Harris, who was married to Hefner from 2012 until his passing in 2017, revealed to People magazine that the couple selected the Cook Islands for its seclusion and natural beauty. 'We chose the Cook Islands because of how remote it is,' she explained. 'There are no big chain hotels, which makes it feel incredibly peaceful and authentic. It’s also home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world.'
The bride added that the location perfectly aligned with their shared passions. 'Since James and I both love the ocean and nature it felt like the perfect place for us to start this chapter of our lives,' she said. The wedding comes almost one year after the pair announced their engagement in May 2025.
A Simple and Elegant Affair
Harris and Ward enlisted wedding planner Sandi Brown to coordinate what was described as a 'simple, elegant, and ocean-inspired' ceremony. Reflecting on the small-scale event, the former Playboy model noted, 'Because the wedding is small, it allowed us to focus on the meaningful details rather than managing a large event.'
'We didn’t want a huge production,' Harris emphasized. 'We wanted something quiet and personal where we could really be present with each other and the moment.' For her walk down the aisle, Harris wore a Margo gown by designer Oksana Mukha, which she said reminded her of a Disney princess dress.
'It reminded me of a Disney princess dress – romantic, timeless, and very feminine,' she remarked of the dress, which featured over 5,400 Swarovski crystals.
Reflections on Love and Healing
Harris shared heartfelt sentiments about her engagement last year, posting on Instagram in April, 'April 26. The morning after he asked. We woke up in a world that felt softer, quieter – like it had shifted to make space for what’s next. There was a stillness in the air, like even time was pausing for us.'
She continued, 'I look at him and know: this is the kind of love you don’t search for. It arrives when you’re ready – steady, curious, and full of wonder.' Harris debuted her romance with Ward in September 2024, telling People that the new relationship had 'healed' her.
After five months of dating, she praised Ward for making her feel valued and authentic. 'With James, my feelings are valued, validated. I am seen and I am heard,' Harris said. 'I’m nurturing the real me, my adventurous spirit, my inner child. I feel like I’ve become the person I always needed when I was growing up.'
She added, 'I feel accepted and more myself than ever before.'
Past Marriage and Memoir Revelations
Harris famously married Hugh Hefner in 2012 when she was 26 and he was 86. In her 2024 memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy And Finding Myself, she made several bombshell claims, including that she never loved the late magazine publisher and felt imprisoned in their marriage.
Previously, in an interview with Daily Mail, Harris described Hefner as agoraphobic, noting that he avoided most public outings. She also revealed that the Playboy mansion, often perceived as luxurious, was in a state of decay. Harris shared a photo of her new husband via Instagram Stories on Friday, marking the latest chapter in her life post-Playboy.
