The story, which was reported in the National Enquirer, came from interviews Hefner did with author Steven Watts an upcoming book, "Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream."
When Hefner was dating Miss July 1977, Sondra Theodore, they were in bed "using a small sex toy" when it fell into Hefner's mouth. Hefner began choking and Theodore "started pumping his chest until the toy was dislodged."
Hefner, now 82, has called the book "the most authoritative book ever written about me," saying "it's all essentially true."
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