Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's life in pictures

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who helped usher in the 1960s sexual revolution with his groundbreaking men's magazine and built a business empire around his libertine lifestyle, died at the age of 91.

1999 file photo of Playboy founder and editor in chief Hugh Hefner receiving kisses from Playboy playmates at the Cannes Film Festival Source: AAP

Hefner, once called the "prophet of pop hedonism" by Time magazine, peacefully passed away at his home, Playboy Enterprises said in a statement.

Hefner was sometimes characterised as an oversexed Peter Pan as he kept a harem of young blondes that numbered as many as seven at his legendary Playboy Mansion.

Here are some images from Hefner's life:

Hefner pictured amidst a group of Bunnies, at the flagship Playboy Club, in Chicago, circa 1960. (AAP) Source: AAP

Hefner looks over proof sheets for his magazine Playboy, in Chicago, Ill., on June 20, 1961 (AAP) Source: AAP

Hefner talks about his coming late night TV show, Playboys Playmate Party in 1977 (AAP) Source: AAP

Hefner poses with "bunny-girl" hostess Bonnie J. Halpin at Hefner's nightclub in Chicago in 1961 (AAP) Source: AAP

Hefner and his girlfriend Barbara Benton, 19-year-old co-ed turned actress, surrounded by Bunny Girls in 1969 (AAP) Source: AAP

Bunny Betsy, left, feeds Hugh Hefner a piece of congratulatory cake after he was awarded the 1,716th star in the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, 1980 Source: AAP

Hefner in 1986 with a group of Playboy bunnies at the Playboy Club (AAP) Source: AAP

1982: Hefner with a Playboy Magazine and Playboy video (AAP) Source: AAP

Hugh Hefner and some of his Playmates (AAP) Source: AAP

Hefner and former Playboy Playmate of the year and US Actress Pamela Anderson (L) in 2003 during the 50th anniversary of Playboy (AAP) Source: AAP

Hefner photographed at the entrance to his movie theatre at the Playboy Mansion in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles Friday, April 7, 2006 (AAP) Source: AAP

Hefner at his 80th birthday in 2006 (AAP) Source: AAP

Halloween party In this photo released by Playboy, from left, Kendra Wilkinson, Bridget Marquardt, Hefner, and Holly Madison in 2007 (AAP) Source: AAP

Bill Cosby, perennial host of the Playboy Jazz Festival, right, and Playboy impresario Hugh Hefner greet each other in 2008 (AAP) Source: AAP

Hefner at his home (aka Playboy Mansion) in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2011 (AAP) Source: AAP

Kendra Wilkinson, Hugh Hefner, Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt, from left, pose poolside at Hefner's Beverly Hills, Calif, estate (AAP) Source: AAP

Crystal Harris (left), Hugh Hefner and Cooper Hefner (right) during Playboy's 2013 Playmate Of The Year luncheon at The Playboy Mansion (AAP) Source: AAP