HOLLY MADISON

Holly Madison: From Playboy Mansion to Empowered Author and Advocate​

Holly Madison, born Hollin Sue Cullen on December 23, 1979, in Astoria, Oregon, is an American model, television personality, and author. She gained prominence through her role in the reality television series "The Girls Next Door," which showcased her life in the Playboy Mansion as one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends. Beyond her early fame, Madison has reinvented herself as a successful author and advocate, shedding light on the complexities of her past experiences.​

Early Life and Education

Madison spent her early years in Craig, Alaska, before returning to Oregon during her adolescence. She pursued higher education at Portland State University, majoring in theater and psychology, and later transferred to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. To support her studies, Madison worked as a waitress at Hooters and participated in Hawaiian Tropic modeling competitions, which eventually led to her introduction to the Playboy Mansion. 

Rise to Fame: Life at the Playboy Mansion

In 2001, Madison became one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends and moved into the Playboy Mansion. She quickly rose to prominence as Hefner's "number one girlfriend," a position that brought her into the spotlight through the E! reality series "The Girls Next Door," which aired from 2005 to 2009. The show offered viewers a glimpse into the lives of Madison and her co-stars, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson, as they navigated their roles within the Playboy enterprise. ​

Career Beyond Playboy

After leaving the Playboy Mansion in 2008, Madison pursued various entertainment ventures. She starred in the Las Vegas burlesque show "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood from 2009 to 2012, showcasing her talents as a performer. Madison also headlined her own reality series, "Holly's World," which aired on E! from 2009 to 2011, chronicling her new life in Las Vegas. ​

Authorship and Advocacy

Madison authored two memoirs that provide an unfiltered look into her life before, during, and after her time at the Playboy Mansion. Her first book, "Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny" (2015), became a New York Times bestseller, revealing the darker aspects of her experiences with Hefner and the emotional toll it took on her. Her second memoir, "The Vegas Diaries: Romance, Rolling the Dice, and the Road to Reinvention" (2016), details her journey of self-discovery and empowerment in Las Vegas. ​

Personal Life

Madison married Pasquale Rotella, founder of Insomniac Events, in 2013. The couple has two children: a daughter, Rainbow Aurora, born in 2013, and a son, Forest Leonardo Antonio, born in 2016. They divorced in 2018. ​

Holly Madison's evolution from a reality TV star to an outspoken author and advocate highlights her resilience and commitment to personal growth. Through her candid storytelling and advocacy, she continues to inspire others to seek authenticity and empowerment in their own lives.​