The Playboy mogul - who married third wife Crystal Harris last December - claims that, despite having slept with over 1,000 women during his lifetime, he is a firm believer in traditional notions of romance and finding his soul mate.

The 86-year-old star told America`s Esquire magazine: "I`m essentially a romantic, always have been."

Hugh was ditched by busty blonde Crystal just five days before they were supposed to wed in June 2011, but the 26-year-old model decided to give him another chance when she realised how committed he was to her.

She explained: "He believes in love. Hef loves me more than anybody else in a relationship ever has. It took me time away to realise that. I think I realised that here is where I`m meant to be."

Hugh was previously married to Mildred Williams from 1949 to 1959 and Kimberley Conrad from 1989 to 2010, and famously had multiple live-in girlfriends at the Playboy Mansion.

The entrepreneur`s younger brother Keith also shed some light on Hugh`s need for escapism and romantic fantasies, explaining that they grew up in a home starved of love and affection.

Discussing Hugh - whose favourite film is `Casablanca` - and his obsession with movies, he said: "Our mother took us very early to movies. We loved it. It was a great escape. I think so much of it ... the dreams ...

"The lack of warmth and affection in our home had a tremendous impact on both of us. There was no hugging and kissing.

"Our mother and father were religious and strong and good puritans ...That`s what we didn`t have. That`s why movies."
sections: Celebrities