Playboy founder Hugh Hefner was dealing with several health conditions at the time of his death last week at the age of 91.
TMZ published a partially redacted copy of Hefner’s death certificate, which listed cardiac arrest as the immediate cause of death.
Aside from the primary cause and the apparently associated respiratory failure, the document listed two other less common contributing factors.
Hefner reportedly suffered from septicemia, an inflammatory condition typically sparked by a blood infection.
He had also been battling the effects of exposure to the E. coli bacteria, which the death certificate reported was “highly resistant to antibiotics.”
Both of the contributing factors were listed as ailments Hefner had been battling for six days prior to his death.
In the weeks leading up to his death, sources close to him said he had been facing mounting health issues.
On top of back problems dating back several years, he reportedly fell ill after contracting an infection last year. Sources said that setback exacerbated his existing conditions.
The infection’s toll was “debilitating,” one source said, adding Hefner “could barely walk with out assistance and was bedridden” shortly after getting sick.
“Family and friends knew it would probably be too much for him,” one family friend said.
In an Instagram post after his death, Pamela Anderson, who appeared in Playboy numerous times throughout her career, referenced Hefner’s frail health during their last visit.
“Last time I saw you you were using a walker,” Anderson wrote in her ode to Hefner, adding “your back hurt you so much.”
[Featured image: Associated Press]
