Bob Guccione, founder and long time publisher of the provocative Penthouse Magazine, died of lung cancer October 20, 2010, two months shy of this 80th birthday. Guccione died at Plano Specialty Hospital in Plano, Texas and had been suffering from lung cancer for some time. Two of his children were by his side.
Bob Guccione founded an erotic corporate empire around Penthouse Magazine, only to see it crumble due to poor investment decisons and internet and video pornography rose in popularity. With Penthouse, Guccione broke taboos and challenged the sexual mores of Western society.
At the peak of his success in the early 1980s, Bob Guccione was one of America’s richest men. Penthouse had a monthly circulation of 4.7 million in 16 countries, and the company owned 15 other magazines on various other topics. Forbes listed Mr. Guccione’s net worth in 1982 as $400 million.
Penthouse magazine released a statement about Bob Guccione’s death:
It is with great sadness that Penthouse mourns the loss of its founder Bob Guccione. Mr. Guccione was a unique and talented individual and his courage as a publisher and journalist holds an important place in the evolution of modern media. His vision lives on with the continued publication of Penthouse Magazine and its affiliated publications. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Guccione’s family during this difficult time.
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