Hugh Hefner with his girlfriend and future wife Mildred Williams in 1946. Hefner was in the army for 2 years (1944-1946), never seeing any action and mainly writing papers. He would marry Mildred in 1949 and they would have 2 children. Mildred confessed to cheating on Hugh while he was in the army. Apparently this devastated Hugh, and to make amends, Mildred allowed Hugh to be unfaithful.