Crystal Hefner is engaged.

The former Mrs. Hugh Hefner, 39, said yes to the boyfriend of one year, James Ward, after he proposed to her at her home in Hawaii.

James, a marine biologist, went down on one knee with a six-carat, vintage mine-cut ring, according to Us Weekly. 

Crystal, a former Playboy model, was previously married to Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017 when he was 91 years old.

She lived in the Playboy Mansion beginning in 2009 – and soon after, began dating the Playboy founder, getting engaged the following year. 

Crystal Hefner is engaged. The former Mrs. Hugh Hefner, 39, said yes to the boyfriend of one year, James Ward, after he proposed to her at her home in Hawaii

James, a marine biologist, went down on one knee with a six-carat, vintage mine-cut ring, according to Us Weekly

Crystal and Hugh split briefly in June 2011, but they reconciled and tied the knot in December 2012.

Their five year marriage ended upon Hugh’s death on September 27, 2017 at 91.

Following his death, Crystal moved to Hawaii.

Crystal and James met via mutual friends in April 2024.

The proposal took place on Friday, April 25 on a deck James built at her Hawaii home – which was also a surprise to her.

The proposal took place four days before her 39th birthday, and just days after they came back from their one year anniversary trip to Africa – which was a month long holiday. 

‘After we started down the path, I was puzzled, I was puzzled to see a brand-new staircase, and then I began to notice the notes – one after another, each one handwritten and deeply heartfelt,’ Crystal said to Us Weekly.

‘I was already tearing up when I reached the final card, which was waiting for me on the deck, overlooking the waves. At first, I thought it was an early birthday surprise,’ she continued.

The proposal took place on Friday, April 25 on a deck James built at her Hawaii home – which was also a surprise to her

‘But the words in the notes gently hinted at something more. And when I realized he had built an entire deck just to create a space for this moment, I was overwhelmed. It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me,’ Crystal told the outlet.

When he got down on one knee, he used her maiden name – Crystal Margaret Harris – she told DailyMail.com exclusively.

My name is Crystal Harris, not Crystal Hefner. And I am never losing my identity to anyone ever again. James is a supporter of me being Crystal Harris. He is a feminist, like me. “Crystal Margret Harris” he said to me when he got down on one knee. My real name. My identity. The identity that we both fully support me keeping,’ she told DailyMail.com. 

Crystal revealed she didn’t ‘suspect’ the proposal and was taken by surprise. 

In addition, James had written love letters to Crystal with sweet notes.

He had notes that said: ‘I love you when you’re silly, I love you when you love, I love the way you make me feel about myself and the space you make for both us to nurture the child inside,’ via Us Weekly.

Crystal, a former Playboy model, was previously married to Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017 when he was 91 years old; Crystal and Hugh pictured in 2010

‘Let’s continue to build a life together. A home in this magical place (or wherever life takes us next) Let’s fill all of the time we have left with memories like the ones we’ve started already and continue to dream of an even better world,’ she told the outlet.

She told Us Weekly they plan on marrying in 2026 in an intimate outdoor wedding.

One week before their surprise engagement, Crystal told Us Weekly reflected on their one year anniversary: ‘Honestly it feels like time flew and stood still at the same time,’ noting that they are ‘best friends who can’t stop flirting,’ and are ‘not in a rush’ but also ‘not afraid of forever.’