On Dec. 10, 1953, the first Playboy magazine was released. Which well-known woman was the first playmate?

When the inaugural issue of Playboy magazine hit newsstands in December 1953, it featured a captivating image of a well-known star as its centerfold and on the cover. This iconic figure was none other than Marilyn Monroe, who was designated the magazine's first "Sweetheart of the Month," a title that would later evolve into the famous "Playmate of the Month." Her presence was a strategic move by founder Hugh Hefner to launch his new publication.

Interestingly, Monroe did not pose specifically for Playboy. The nude photographs used were actually taken in 1949 during a calendar shoot, known as the "Red Velvet" series, when she was a budding actress and in need of money. Hugh Hefner acquired the rights to these pre-existing images for $500 in the fall of 1953, a shrewd decision that leveraged Monroe's rising stardom. The magazine, initially produced by Hefner from his kitchen, was even undated because he was unsure if a second issue would follow.

Despite the uncertainty, the first issue, priced at 50 cents, was a resounding success, selling out its print run of approximately 54,000 copies in a matter of weeks. Monroe's image undeniably contributed to the magazine's immediate popularity and helped establish its groundbreaking identity, blending sexuality with a sophisticated lifestyle. This debut marked the beginning of Playboy's significant cultural impact, even though Hefner and Monroe never actually met.