Wedding bells are ringing for Hugh Hefner‘s widow, Crystal Hefner! The former Playboy model is now engaged to James Ward after a year of dating.
Wardâ the owner of the tour company SeeThrough Seaâ got down on one knee on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Hefner’s Hawaii home. Us Weekly reported that Ward popped the big question “with a six-carat, vintage mine-cut diamond set on a whisper-thin band.”
Speaking with the outlet, Hefner gushed about the unforgettable day and the thoughtful effort Ward put into making it perfect. She described the proposal as a full-circle moment, sharing that her now-fiance turned the already special place into something “permanent and symbolic.” Hefner added:
I thought we were just going for a walk, but when I saw the flowers, the handwritten notes, and the sea stretching endlessly in front of us, I knew something extraordinary was about to happen.
Ward Says Keeping the Proposal a Secret From Hefner Was Challenging
Ward proposed to Hefner shortly after they returned to the country from a month-long first-anniversary vacation in Africa. The soon-to-be bride admitted she “didn’t suspect a thing” before the big moment.
The whole time we were [on a vacation] in Africa, I thought we were having a peaceful, unplugged adventure â but behind the scenes, he was coordinating this incredibly elaborate and meaningful proposal back home. Iâm still amazed he pulled it off so seamlessly.
Despite the seemingly smooth proposal, Ward revealed just how challenging it was to keep it a secret from Hefner. In an interview with PEOPLE, he said his now fiancée “doesn’t miss a thing,” making it especially tough to avoid oversharing. But with “a lot of help from a whole host of people,” the future groom managed to pull it off.
Hefner and Ward’s Wedding Plans Revealed
Meanwhile, Us Weekly reported that Hefner and Ward plan to “enjoy being engaged for a while.” The couple did discuss a potential timeline, though, eyeing to tie the knot in 2026.
Hefner also told PEOPLE that they’re considering a tropical wedding somewhere that is “warm and familiar.” They also want it to be intimate. Hefner added:
We love somewhere warm and familiar to us, Hawaii and the Cook Islands would be perfect options. We’ve had the best time in the past in the Cook Islands, so that’s at the top of our list. We want to be close to nature, close to the ocean, and just have things be simple and beautiful.
Crystal Hefner was previously married to the late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. The couple got engaged in December 2010, but briefly called it off in June 2011. Later, they rekindled their relationship and tied the knot in December 2012. They remained married until Hughâs passing in 2017.
The post Hugh Hefner’s Widow, Crystal Hefner, Gets Engaged – Wedding Details Revealed appeared first on EntertainmentNow.