Hugh Hefner left a mark on many people’s lives, but perhaps few more than Pamela Anderson.
The 50-year-old Canadian actress and model got her big break as Playmate of the Month for Playboy in 1990, and she’s never forgotten her connection to the magazine or its founder, who passed away Wednesday at 91.
READ MORE: ‘Playboy’ founder Hugh Hefner dies at 91
Anderson posted a heartfelt message about Hefner Thursday morning in the form of a poem on Instagram. In it she writes, “You taught me everything important about freedom and respect,” and ends by saying, “Thank you for making the world a better place. A freer and sexier place. You were a gentleman charming, elegant, chivalrous And so much fun. Goodbye Hef … Your Pamela 💋”
Hefner’s former live-in girlfriend and ex-Playmate Kendra Wilkinson also shared her thoughts on his passing, telling ET, “Hef changed my life. I couldn’t be more thankful for our friendship and our time together.
Other celebrities who modelled for Playboy in the past took to Twitter to mourn the adult publishing legend.
Other celebrities shared their own memories and tributes to Hefner, as well.