Barbi Benton's real name, the name given to her by her parents when she was born in New York City, New York in January 28, 1952 was Barbara Klein. They later moved to Sacramento, California when her military doctor father was re-assigned new duties there. Barbi Benton went to Rio Americano High School in Sacramento and in 1968 at the age of sixteen began her modelling career for only for a very practical reason, she needed to suplement her allowance.

At sixteen Barbi Benton had regular work doing TV shows and more jobs kept coming in. Among these shows Barbi did was the "Playboy After Dark" show which featured artists and entertainers, performing in the legendary Playboy Mansion surrounded by Playboy Playmates and bunnies offcourse. Before Barbi Benton actually met Hugh Hefner, she pretended that she was his girlfriend for two episodes while on the show. Soon enough she did get to meet Mr. Hefner and she did become Hugh Hefner's girlfriend, that not so long ago she was just pretending to be, now she actually was.

Hugh Hefner, shortly after meeting young Barbi Benton, suggested the name change to the more celebrity sounding Barbi Benton from Barbara Klein, she took Mr. Hefners suggestion and made the name change. Barbi Benton was only eighteen when Hugh Hefner asked her out and he was already fourty two, so she was understandably hesistant at first because she had never gone out with anyone older than twenty four, Hugh replied; ".That's all right! Neither Have I." The two hit it off right away and what started out as just pretend lasted eight years
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