'Millionaire' Bride Talks About Playboy Pics

Darva Conger Said She Believes God Will Forgive Her

NEW YORK, Updated 5:11 p.m. EDT June 28, 2000 -- The game show bride who rejected her millionaire husband soon after their televised wedding said she posed nude in Playboy magazine for the money.

Darva Conger, 34, who lost her job as an emergency room nurse soon after her ill-fated wedding to millionaire Rick Rockwell, told NBC's "Today" show she posed nude to help compensate for loss of income.

"What was I expected to do, stay at home and watch as they foreclosed on my house?" asked Conger.

Conger had previously said she wanted privacy after her annulment from comedian Rick Rockwell in April. She called the quick wedding on Fox's "Who Wants to Marry A Multi-Millionaire" the biggest mistake of her life.

"I made a stupid mistake. It doesn't mean that I am a stupid woman," Conger said on Wednesday of her decision to appear on the show.

The cover for the August issue of Playboy shows Conger in white lingerie with an "oops" look on her face. Inside, Conger reveals all in photos taken at Lake Powell, Ariz., this April during a two-day shoot.

Conger conceded that she was "in conflict with God" over her appearance in Playboy but she believed God would forgive her.

"I believe in a forgiving God, a God who sees in my heart. I will take my chances with Him forgiving me because I think He is more accepting and forgiving than the rest of the public," she told NBC.

Conger said her mother "loved the pictures."

Also appearing on the "Today" show, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner said the fascination with Conger had been "overwhelming," adding that numerous women have turned to his magazine as a way of bringing changes into their lives.

Hefner refused to reveal how much his magazine had paid her. "That's a state secret," he said.

News reports estimate Conger was paid about half a million dollars.

"I'm very happy with the pictures. She's a very beautiful lady," said Hefner, adding that he expected Conger to sell a lot of magazines for his corporation.

Previous Stories:

• May 11, 2000: Playboy: 'Multi-Millionaire' Bride Has Posed
• April 27, 2000: 'Multimillionaire' Bride May Pose For Playboy
• April 6, 2000: Judge Grants Annulment To TV Bride
• March 9, 2000: 'Millionaire' Bride Fired, Wants Annulment

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