The actress and former Playboy model posted an emotional, poetic farewell on Instagram to her 'charming, elegant, chivalrous' mentor
PAMELA Anderson has posted an emotional Instagram farewell to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner following his death at 91.
The former pin-up and Baywatch star revealed Hugh - who turned Playboy mag into a global empire - was using a walking frame, had intense back pain and was almost completely deaf when she last saw him.
Posting a short clip showing her wiping away tears and whispering "goodbye Hef", Pamela showed she's been hit hard by the loss of the man who propelled her to stardom.
And in her message, the 50-year-old mum-of-two - deemed to have become Hugh's "favourite" Playmate after her first cover in 1989 - paid a glowing tribute to the man she considered her mentor.
In the style of a poem, Pam wrote: "I'm in such deep shock. But you were old, your back hurt you so much. Last time I saw you you were using a walker.
"You didn't want me to see. You couldn't hear. You had a piece of paper in your pocket you showed me - with my name Pamela with a heart around it."
She went on to write: "Everything anyone loves about me is because you understood me. Accepted me and encouraged me to be myself....
"You loved my boys ... You were always, always there for us. With your love, your crazy wisdom. I will miss your everything. Thank you for making the world a better place.
"A freeer and sexier place. You were a gentleman, charming, elegant, chivalrous And so much fun. Goodbye Hef ... Your Pamela 💋."
Pammie, who is currently dating footballer Adil Rami while continuing her "platonic" romance with Julian Assange, also posted a black and white version of a snap showing him kissing her cheek.
Her tribute is a sad but touching portrait of a man who became frail in his old age after 64 years as the face of Playboy - and after fathering four children from two of his three marriages.
Hugh's death comes less than a decade after Pamela, who has appeared on more Playboy covers than any model, delivered him his 82nd birthday cake in the nude.
His son Cooper has remembered the magazine boss, who turned the magazine into a £150million empire, as a "leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time".
"My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer.
"He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the Playboy brand," Cooper added.
The firm behind the magazine described Hefner as " and built the company into one of the most recognisable American global brands in history."
"Mr Hefner
I have so many thoughts, I have no brain n right now to edit
I am me because of you
You taught me everything important about freedom and respect.
Outside of my family
You were the most important person in my life.
You gave me my life... People tell me all the time
That I was your favorite...
I'm in such deep shock.
But you were old,
your back hurt you so much.
Last time I saw you
You were using a walker.
You didn't want me to see.
You couldn't hear.
You had a piece of paper in your pocket you showed me -
with my name Pamela with a heart
around it.
Now,
I'm falling apart.
This feeling is so crazy.
It's raining in Paris now.
I'm by the window.
Everything anyone loves about me is because you understood me.
Accepted me
and encouraged me to be myself.
Love like no one else.
Live recklessly
With unfiltered abandon.
You said the magazine was about a girl like me. That I embody the spirit you fantasized about.
I was the one.
You said.
I can hear you say -
Be brave.
There are no rules.
Live your life
I'm proud of you.
There are no mistakes.
And with men -
Enjoy ... (Your wonderful laugh)
You have the world by the tail
You are a good girl
And
you are so loved -
You are not crazy.
You are wild and free
Stay strong,
Stay vulnerable.... 'It's movie time'
You loved my boys ... You were always, always there for us.
With your love
Your crazy wisdom.
I will miss your everything.
Thank you for making the world a better place.
A freeer and sexier place.
You were a gentleman
charming, elegant, chivalrous
And so much fun.
Goodbye Hef ... Your Pamela 💋."
News of Hefner's death broke last night and sent the world of entertainment into mourning.
Many of his famous friends and fans have now taken to social media to remember the man who founded the original lads’ mag Playboy.
In a post on Twitter, Kim Kardashian wrote: "RIP to the legendary Hugh Hefner! I’m so honored to have been a part of the Playboy team! You will be greatly missed! Love you Hef! Xoxo."
Paris Hilton shared a montage of pictures showing her with Hefner and she added a sweet message about the Playboy founder.
She wrote: "So sad to hear the news about Hugh Hefner.
"He was a legend, innovator & one of a kind. We had many fun & incredible memories together.
"I will miss him dearly. Rest in peace my friend."
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