Hugh Hefner's Ex Kendra Wilkinson Hits Back at Criticism of Her Appearance at 40

Two decades after her time at the Playboy Mansion, the former reality star faces online comments about how her looks have changed with age.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:49pm

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Kendra Wilkinson, a former Playboy model and ex-girlfriend of the late Hugh Hefner, is responding to online criticism about how she has aged since her time in the spotlight 20 years ago. Wilkinson, now 40 and working as a real estate agent, took to Instagram on International Women's Day to address comments saying she has aged "poorly." She expressed that she is happier than ever, embracing her natural appearance changes, and focusing on her life as a balanced, single, positive woman.

Why it matters

Wilkinson's response highlights the scrutiny and criticism that many women in the public eye, especially those associated with Playboy, face as they age. Her message of self-acceptance and prioritizing personal happiness over external perceptions resonates with broader conversations about societal pressures on women's appearances and the double standards they often face.

The details

Wilkinson gained fame in the 2000s as one of Hefner's live-in girlfriends on the reality show "The Girls Next Door." After leaving the Playboy Mansion, she continued her reality TV career with shows like "Kendra" and "Kendra on Top." Now 40, Wilkinson works as a real estate agent and is a mother of two. In her recent Instagram post, she expressed that she is embracing her natural appearance changes, including weight gain and wrinkles, and is focused on her own happiness and well-being rather than trying to impress others.

  • Wilkinson starred on "The Girls Next Door" from 2005 to 2010.
  • She had her own reality shows "Kendra" from 2009 to 2011 and "Kendra on Top" from 2012 to 2017.
  • Wilkinson returned to television in 2021 to star on "Kendra Sells Hollywood."

The players

Kendra Wilkinson

A former Playboy model and ex-girlfriend of Hugh Hefner who gained fame on the reality show "The Girls Next Door." She is now a 40-year-old real estate agent and mother of two.

Hugh Hefner

The late founder of Playboy magazine, who Wilkinson dated and lived with at the Playboy Mansion.

Holly Madison

A Playboy model who starred alongside Wilkinson on the first five seasons of "The Girls Next Door."

Bridget Marquardt

A Playboy model who starred alongside Wilkinson on the first five seasons of "The Girls Next Door."

Crystal Harris

Hugh Hefner's third wife and author of the New York Times best-selling memoir "Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself."

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What they’re saying

“I've seen many people comment saying I've aged 'poorly.'”

— Kendra Wilkinson (Instagram)

“I'm OK with aging 'poorly.' For some reason, I'm happier than I've ever been lately even with a little weight gain and wrinkles and I'm not going to tie my happiness again into the negative energy.”

— Kendra Wilkinson (Instagram)

“YES GIRL!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼”

— Scheana Shay, Vanderpump Rules star (Instagram)

“Cheers to those who grow and move on to the life waiting for us.”

— Crystal Harris, Hugh Hefner's third wife and author (Instagram)

The takeaway

Kendra Wilkinson's response to criticism about her appearance as she has aged highlights the double standards and scrutiny that many women in the public eye face, especially those associated with Playboy. Her message of self-acceptance and prioritizing personal happiness over external perceptions resonates with broader conversations about societal pressures on women's appearances.