Rita Lee

“It’s very important for me to be needed for what I am, not just for how I look,” says our Miss November 1977. “Sometimes I think that pretty women are the loneliest people in the world.” Rita Lee is stunning beyond belief. It’s difficult for anyone to not stop dead in their tracks and take notice of the tall, statuesque blonde with the long, red fingernails from St. Paul, Minnesota. Even though Rita turns heads everywhere she goes, the blue-eyed beauty admits she’s somewhat insecure and feels her body hinders her more than it helps her. “I used to read about Marilyn Monroe. I felt as though I could identify with her. I learned something from her. Her suicide was like a warning for me,” admits a vulnerable Miss Lee. She knew if she were to ever build up her self-esteem and develop thick skin, she needed to be unleashed into the world and live on her own. Much to her parents’ dismay, Rita moved out at the tender age of 17—a decision that came with some consequences. “I learned later that my parents were right about so many things, but I had to find out on my own,” explains our Playmate of the Month. “I was very naïve and men took advantage of that. I always worried about what other people thought of me, and I was only secure about my looks. I realize now that you can't put your values in looks or money, because when you lose them, you won't have anything.” This new realization made Rita realize that she shouldn’t carry any insecurities about her beauty. Instead, she should embrace the attention her long legs, all-natural body and full, red pout provided—that’s when the opportunity to test for Playmate knocked on her door. “I didn't know what to expect. I'd heard all sorts of things, like they photograph your body and put another girl's head on it, and that none of the information on the girls is real,” admits our Miss November 1977. “I was afraid that maybe after all the preliminary shootings they would decide my breasts weren't big enough or something and ask me to have plastic surgery.” Relieved to see that her Playboy worries were unfounded, Rita began to let loose and unwind on set. She surprised everyone when she said she loves to go camping and fishing, even going as far as describing herself as a fisherwoman. As she stared into the wilderness, she turned to us and admitted she cannot wait to pass on her fishing skills to her children one day, but she’ll need to land a good man first. “I've learned to be very picky about my relationships. I have to have a man who can teach me. He has to satisfy more than my physical need. And he's got to have the same interests I have. He has to like outdoor sports, keep his body in shape and yet not mind just sitting home and looking at television,” confidently explains Rita who’s been a Playboy cover model three times in three years. “I have this inner desire to be a mother because that's very precious. I would have to have that in my life. One day, I know I'll have a home and just center myself on my kids and my family.” Sounds to us like Rita Lee is going to make someone the luckiest husband in the world.