Former Playboy star Holly Madison revealed she was identified with high-functioning autism, bringing readability to lifelong social struggles she as soon as attributed to her Alaskan upbringing.
She believes her undiagnosed autism made her susceptible to Hugh Hefner, with whom she spent seven years on the Playboy Mansion.
Reflecting on their relationship, Holly Madison admitted she “hated” the group encounters however discovered personal moments extra regular.
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Holly Madison Reveals Autism Analysis, Says It Brings Readability To Her Previous
Madison says her journey to the Playboy Mansion might need unfolded otherwise had she identified she was autistic.
The 45-year-old former Playboy Playmate revealed that she was formally identified with high-functioning autism in 2023, a revelation that, relatively than surprising her, introduced a deep sense of readability and aid.
In an interview with Page Six, Madison defined that she had “sure social difficulties and difficulties referring to individuals,” however had at all times attributed them to rising up remoted in a distant a part of Alaska.
It wasn’t till years later, throughout her marriage to Pasquale Rotella, with whom she shares two youngsters, that the potential for autism got here into focus.
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Rotella reportedly confided in Madison’s mom concerning the difficulties he confronted making an attempt to emotionally join along with his spouse.
Her mom, in flip, shared that she had at all times suspected there was “one thing happening” about her daughter’s manner of referring to the world.
Following seven scientific evaluations, Madison lastly acquired affirmation that she is on the autism spectrum.
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The Former Playmate Says Undiagnosed Autism Made Her Extra Weak To Hugh Hefner’s Affect In Her 20s

Wanting again, Madison believes her undiagnosed autism might have made her extra susceptible in her early 20s, and led her to “fall in love” with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who was greater than 50 years older than her.
She spent seven years residing on the Playboy Mansion alongside a number of different ladies, the place Hefner was identified to count on fixed intimacy.
Reflecting on that chapter of her life, she defined, “I really feel like having the issue I did connecting with individuals for therefore lengthy made me really feel like once I was assembly anyone who was older and extra skilled and perhaps just a little bit higher at manipulating individuals, I believed, ‘Oh, wow, perhaps I am meant to be with an older man. Perhaps that is what it’s.’ It simply felt like love.”
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Her analysis, she added, helps her higher perceive her mindset and motivations throughout that point.
“It undoubtedly sheds some mild on the place my emotions have been at and my motivations and why I had sure impressions about issues,” Madison famous.
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Holly Madison To Make First Main Public Look Since Autism Analysis

Although she insists she does not remorse her experiences, Madison admits that figuring out about her autism earlier might need modified how she dealt with sure conditions.
In the present day, as co-host of the “Women Subsequent Stage” podcast, she views her analysis as an “attention-grabbing” and essential a part of her private story.
Later this month, “The Women Subsequent Door” alum will make her first main public look since sharing her analysis, serving because the occasion ambassador for the 2025 Grant a Present Gala in Las Vegas.
The annual fundraiser helps youngsters and younger adults residing with autism and different neurodevelopmental problems by offering entry to important assets and care.
Regardless of her fame, Madison describes herself as a naturally introverted and personal particular person. Nonetheless, after studying about her analysis, she felt a robust sense of accountability to make use of her platform to talk out and assist break down stereotypes, battle stigma, and advocate for higher providers for these on the spectrum.
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The Former Playmate Says She ‘Hated’ Group Intercourse At The Playboy Mansion: ‘It Was Disgusting’

Earlier in Might, Holly Madison revisited her relationship with Playboy founder Hefner, candidly admitting that she “hated” the group sexual encounters that usually passed off on the Playboy Mansion.
Talking on the “In Your Desires” podcast with host Owen Thiele, the 45-year-old provided an unfiltered have a look at what actually went on behind closed doorways throughout her years as one among Hefner’s girlfriends.
“It is a very totally different story between once we have been simply by ourselves than with all people else within the room,” she defined. “All people else within the room, no. That was disgusting. I hated it. I made it very identified I hated it.”
Regardless of their 53-year age distinction, Madison mentioned intimacy between her and Hefner felt surprisingly “regular” when it was personal.
“If it was simply me and him, it was much more regular than you’ll assume,” she defined.
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Holly Madison Accused Hugh Hefner Of Utilizing A Weird Methodology To ‘Management’ The Playboy Women

In 2023, Madison made some daring claims concerning the late Hefner, linked to his alleged dislike of purple lipstick.
Throughout an look on the “Ahead of the Curve” podcast, she mentioned his aversion to the particular colour of lipstick being worn by the Playboy fashions, claiming that it was Hefner’s “management tactic,” and that she did not have a difficulty with it when she first entered the mansion.
“I feel it was a management tactic, but in addition, once I was model new, I wore purple lipstick out a few instances, and he did not say something about it,” Madison recalled, including, “as a result of if you have been the brand new lady within the group, you have been at all times handled properly.”
Madison then introduced up a phrase she heard about being in a cult, stating, “Any person mentioned, like, the upper up you might be in a cult, the more severe you are handled as a result of they need the brand new individuals to bond and really feel into it.”

