Girlfriends

Playboy Playmate Vanessa Gleason is a stunningly gorgeous brunette beauty whose appearance in the magazine represented a rebellion against her overly-strict upbringing. Vanessa was born in San Diego, California on August 31, 1979, and she grew up in the seaside city. Her parents were very religious, making Vanessa and her sister Carolyn attend church three times a week. They also kept the girls from wearing revealing outfits or from hanging out with the wrong crowd, so Vanessa grew up a very sheltered young woman.

After graduating from high school with honors, Vanessa decided to try her luck at modeling. At one shoot, she met former Playmate Julia Schultz, who suggested that Vanessa try out for the magazine. Needless to say, Vanessa's breathtaking 34D-23-32 figure was just what the editors were looking for. Having never even seen a copy of Playboy before, Vanessa looked one over and decided that she would like to be in its pages. As soon as she turned eighteen years old, she posed for the magazine, becoming Miss September 1998.

Her pictorial caused a rift with her strict parents, who kicked her out of the house when they found out about it. Vanessa then lived in the Playboy Mansion until she got her own apartment. The family has since settled their differences and are currently closer than ever, Vanessa says.

Vanessa has made a handful of movie and TV appearances since her pictorial, including episodes of 'The Man Show,' 'Pensacola: Wings of Gold' and 'Beverly Hills 90210.' She remains active as a model and Playboy spokesperson, while also working on animal rights organizations.