The Life of Barbi Benton: Hugh Hefner’s One That Got Away

She Met George Gradow Thanks To Mom

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After Benton called it quits with Hef, she fell into the arms of George Gradow. Their relationship came about in the way few Hollywood relationships do – a meeting set-up by mom. Gradow famously told his employee Liz Prince that he’d only get married if he found someone who looked like Barbi Benton. Prince happened to know Benton’s mother and set up a meeting.

Originally, Benton viewed Gradow as a financial adviser and businessman. She was seeing actor Andrew Prince at the time, but when that fizzled, she invited the tycoon to the Academy of Country Music Dinner. He proposed after four months.