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Crystal Hefner Is Engaged to James Ward Following One Year of Dating
UPDATE: Crystal Harris is embracing a new chapter in her life.
Nearly one year after the former Playboy model—who was married to Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017—got engaged to James Ward, the couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on April 2.
"We chose the Cook Islands because of how remote it is," Crystal, 39, told People in an interview published April 4. "It's also home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. 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."
The model and marine biologist—donning traditional floral garlands called ei kaki—opted to exchange their vows with no guests on the sandy coast of Aitutaki.
"Because the wedding is small, it allowed us to focus on the meaningful details rather than managing a large event," she said, "We wanted something quiet and personal where we could really be present with each other and the moment."
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Crystal Hefner has officially left the Playboy mansion behind.
The 39-year-old got engaged to her boyfriend of one year James Ward, 41, on April 25 at her Hawaii home, the couple confirmed to Us Weekly.
And the marine biologist’s proposal was completely unexpected for Crystal, who met James through mutual friends in 2024.
“It truly feels like a full-circle moment. James completely surprised me," she told Us Weekly in an interview published May 2. "He had a hidden staircase and a winding trail cleared to reveal a handcrafted deck perched above a dramatic cliffside overlooking the ocean.”
She continued, “It was the exact spot where we’d had a quiet picnic together a year ago—a place that became ‘ours.’ I had no idea he was secretly turning it into something permanent and symbolic. 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."
Instagram/Crystal Hefner
The couple noted they plan to “enjoy being engaged for awhile,” but are looking to tie the knot in 2026. And according to Crystal, they want to have an intimate ceremony that is “full of love, meaning and connection.”
ames—who got down on one knee with a six-carat vintage ring—led Crystal to their proposal spot with a path of handwritten notes, which at first thought was birthday surprise, as it happened just four days before her 39th birthday and just after the pair had returned from a trip to Africa to celebrate their one-year anniversary.
"I was overwhelmed," she shared. "It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me.”
Instagram/Crystal Hefner
Prior to saying “yes” to James, Crystal was married to Hugh, who she was married to when he passed at 91-years-old. Seven years after his death, the former model revealed she was "never truly in love with him."
"It's hard to be in love with someone who wants multiple people in the bedroom," she admitted to E! News' Francesca Amiker in 2024, "and really only cares about themselves and their own needs and wants."
However, she also shared that had worked to move forward from the experience.
"I'm in a much better place," she said. "I feel that I will always be a work in progress, but I feel that I finally have true freedom."
For more recent celeb weddings, read on.
Candice King/Instagram
Steven Kreuger & Candice King
The pair—who are also expecting their first child together—tied the knot in a Nashville elopment in February.
"Walking down the aisle in that warm glow of the magic hour felt like our own little secret," Candice told Vogue. "Like the rest of the world kept turning in chaos, and we had this small little nook of the world to ourselves. Time slowed down and felt like a love song."
Instagram/Crystal Hefner
Crystal Harris & James Ward
The former Playboy model—who was married to Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017—tied the knot with James Ward in an intimate tropical ceremony on April 2 in the Cook Islands.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
Chaz Bono & Sara Blue Mathes
Cher's son, whom the singer shared with her late ex-husband Sonny Bono, married Shara Blue Mathes on March 8 in Los Angeles after nearly a decade of dating.
Brooke Hyland/Instagram
Brooke Hyland & Brian Thalman
The Dance Moms alum tied the knot with Brian Thalman on Feb. 21 with her fellow Abby Lee Dance Company alums Kendall Vertes, Melissa Gison, Nia Sioux, Kenzie Ziegler, Chloe Lukasiak and Kalani Hilliker in attendance.
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Tibet House US
Maya Hawke & Christan Lee Hutson
The Stranger Things actress and "Northsiders" singer wed in a Valentine's Day ceremony on Feb. 14 in New York City.
"I'm a very, very lucky person who's very happy right now," Maya told to People in a March 12 interview. "And yeah, couldn't be more grateful."
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
TreVeyon Henderson
The New England Patriots player and his partner—whose name has not been publicly revealed—got married in a private ceremony, days before his team will match-up against the Seattle Seahawks at the 2026 Super Bowl on Feb. 8.
Photo by JB Lacroix/Getty Images
Vanna White & John Donaldson
On Jan. 21, the Wheel of Fortune co-host shared that she tied the knot with her longtime partner in a private wedding ceremony.
"Surprise! We got married!" Vanna wrote on Instagram at the time, alongside a photo of the couple from their big day. "John and I have been in love for more than a decade and a little while back, we wanted to make it official in a private ceremony."
She added, "We’re excited to share this new joyful chapter in our lives with all of you!"
Instagram/Iyanna McNeely
Iyanna McNeely & Alexander Lewis
The Love is Blind alum tied the knot with the corporate attorney Jan. 17 in an “elegant” Chicago wedding three years after her 2022 divorce from costar Jarrette Jones.
James Veysey/Shutterstock
Will Reeve & Amanda Dubin
The ABC News correspondent, whose parents are the late Christopher Reeve and Dana Reeve, exchanged vows with event planner Amanda Dubin in Miami Jan. 17.
Steven Simione/Getty Images
Joel Kim Booster & John-Michael Sudsina
After four years together, the Fire Island star and John-Michael Sudsina tied the knot Jan. 14 in an intimate ceremony at the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum in San Francisco.
"Feeling very lucky that I can honestly say my wedding was the best day of my life, no contest," Joel reflected on Instagram. "I've never felt so certain and so loved."
Alissa Anderegg and Win Gruber
The Miss World America 2020 winner and nephew of actor Kyle MacLachlan tied the knot in New York City on Jan. 3 less than 2 years after Win popped the question in April 2024.
"We've already grown so much as a couple: being together nearly seven years, starting a business together and now getting married," Alissa told People in an interview published Jan. 2026. "We are an amazing team, and we're so excited to continue to grow together for the rest of our lives."
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