Browse the Playboy Playmates of the Year archive, a year-by-year collection of the models chosen for Playboy's annual Playmate of the Year honor. The gallery highlights winners from the classic magazine era through the later years of the award, with links to individual model profiles where available.
Use this page to explore Playmate of the Year winners, compare different Playboy eras, and find related Playmate of the Month details, issue history, photos, and archive links.
Playmates of the Year FAQ
What is Playboy Playmate of the Year?
Playboy Playmate of the Year was an annual honor given to one Playmate selected from the previous year's Playmate of the Month features.
When did Playboy start naming a Playmate of the Year?
The Playmate of the Year tradition began in 1960, when Ellen Stratton was named the first winner.
How were Playmates of the Year selected?
Selections were traditionally based on Playboy's editorial process, reader interest, staff input, and, during Hugh Hefner's era, Hefner's own preferences.
Does Playboy still name a Playmate of the Year?
Playboy has not continued the traditional Playmate of the Year award in the same annual format since the late 2010s.