Think of a woman who could light up a room with her smile, command attention with her figure, and then leave you speechless with her intellect. That’s Marilyn Cole. She wasn’t just a beauty on glossy covers; she was a pioneer who rewrote the script of what it meant to be a Playmate, a journalist, and an independent woman. From Portsmouth to Playboy, from magazine centerfolds to chessboards and boxing rings, Marilyn’s life has been a story of fearless reinvention.
Portsmouth Roots and Big City Ambitions
Born on May 7, 1949, in Portsmouth, England, Marilyn grew up in a working-class household. Her early years were ordinary—school, seaside afternoons, and clerical work at the Post Office and the Portsmouth Co-op. But deep down, she knew she wanted more than routine. She craved adventure, glamour, and freedom.
When she heard about auditions for Playboy Bunnies in London, she took a leap. At 21, she was hired at the London Playboy Club, donning the iconic corset, ears, and tail. For a young woman from a small coastal town, it was a transformation. She went from counting fuel logs to mingling with London’s elite. That bold move was the first step into a life of extraordinary chapters.
Video : Playboy Playmates of the Year Part 282/Music
Playboy Fame: The First Full-Frontal Centerfold
Marilyn’s real breakthrough came in January 1972, when she was chosen as Playboy’s Playmate of the Month. Photographed by Alexas Urba, her pictorial was revolutionary—it was the magazine’s first full-frontal nude. For some, it was shocking; for many, it was liberating. Marilyn wasn’t just posing; she was pushing boundaries and embracing freedom in a decade defined by change.
The world responded. Her pictorial was a sensation, and just a year later, she was crowned Playmate of the Year in 1973—the only British woman ever to earn that honor. At the Mansion West, Hugh Hefner handed her a $5,000 prize and a sleek pink Volvo. Overnight, she became an international star. She even appeared on the cover of Roxy Music’s 1973 album Stranded, cementing her status as a muse for the era’s culture and music.
From Ears to Screens: Marilyn’s Time in Entertainment
Marilyn didn’t stop at modeling. She dabbled in acting, with appearances in films like The Stud (1978), where she shared screen space with Joan Collins. Though she never chased Hollywood stardom, her presence in movies and on television showed that she was more than a one-dimensional pin-up. Her allure carried into any project she touched, whether it was a photoshoot or a cameo on screen.
Love, Marriage, and Life with Victor Lownes
Behind the spotlight, Marilyn’s personal life unfolded with equal intensity. She met Victor Lownes, the powerful Playboy executive who ran the London club, and their romance blossomed despite a two-decade age gap. In 1984, they married, and their life together was filled with parties, travel, and deep companionship. Victor remained her anchor until his death in 2017, and Marilyn has since honored his memory while continuing her own journey with quiet strength.
Video : Marilyn Lange, Lillian Müller
Reinvention: From Glamour to Chess and Boxing Journalism
What truly sets Marilyn Cole apart is what she did after Playboy. Instead of clinging to fame, she carved a new identity. In the 1990s, she began covering chess tournaments, writing sharp, insightful articles for British Chess Magazine. She analyzed games with wit and precision, earning respect in a world dominated by men and intellect.
Then came boxing. By the 2000s, she was reporting from ringside, profiling fighters, and exploring the sport’s grit and glory. To Marilyn, chess and boxing weren’t opposites—they were two sides of the same coin: strategy, strength, and survival. Her journalism proved that her beauty was only part of her story; her mind and voice carried equal weight.
Marilyn Today: Grace, Curiosity, and Legacy
At 76, Marilyn Cole continues to thrive. She’s active in journalism, respected in literary and sporting circles, and admired by fans who have followed her since her Playboy days. She lives in London, balancing writing with personal passions like yoga, travel, and mentoring young writers. She laughs about her past, owns her choices, and radiates the same confidence that made her famous half a century ago.
The Enduring Impact of Marilyn Cole
Marilyn Cole’s story is more than nostalgia—it’s a masterclass in reinvention. She proved that a Playmate could become a cultural critic, that a model could write about grandmasters and heavyweight champions with authority. She showed that beauty and brains don’t just coexist—they can amplify each other.
Her journey—from a working-class girl in Portsmouth to an international star, from Playboy covers to chessboards and boxing rings—reminds us that no chapter defines us forever. Marilyn Cole lived boldly, loved deeply, and thought sharply. And in doing so, she became timeless.
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