Before she became the Playmate of the Month for December 1970, Carol Imhof was a typical young woman navigating the social upheaval of late-1960s America. Born in 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, Imhof was the quintessential Midwesterner—approachable, grounded, and blessed with a striking natural look that eschewed the heavy makeup and over-processed hairstyles of the era.
Standing 5’4” with brown hair and hazel eyes, her measurements (36-23-35) reflected the era’s preference for an athletic, curvaceous, but not exaggerated, female form. Before Playboy, Carol worked as a model and a receptionist. She was discovered by a Playboy scout while working at a trade show in Chicago—a classic origin story for many Playmates of that period. The magazine was still headquartered in Chicago at the time, and the city’s bustling convention scene was a regular hunting ground for Hugh Hefner’s talent scouts. carol imhof playboy playmate of the month for december 1970
What set Carol apart was her demeanor. Interviews from the period describe her as "wholesome" and "slightly shy." In a pre-internet age, the "Playmate Data Sheet" published alongside her pictorial noted her hobbies (swimming, bowling, and painting), her likes (Italian food and rainy days), and her pet peeve (people who are rude to waiters). This careful curation of ordinariness was key to Playboy’s success—making fantasy feel accessible. Before she became the Playmate of the Month
While Carol Imhof's most notable claim to fame is her feature in Playboy, her life and career extended far beyond that singular moment. Though detailed information about her post-Playboy life may be limited, it is clear that her participation in the magazine was a pivotal moment that influenced her public image and possibly opened doors to various opportunities. Before Playboy, Carol worked as a model and a receptionist
In the history of the magazine, the December issue was historically the second most important issue of the year (after the anniversary January issue and the September back-to-school issue). Being chosen as the Playmate of the Month for December 1970 came with the honor of being the "Holiday Playmate."
Carol Imhof’s legacy lies in her purity of form. As the 1970s progressed, Playmates became more tanned, more bleached, and more airbrushed. Carol represented the last wave of the "natural" Playmate—minimal makeup, real body proportions, and an unforced smile.
For collectors, the December 1970 issue (Vol. 17, No. 12) featuring Carol Imhof is a desirable collectible. Mint condition copies regularly sell for $50 to $150 on auction sites, depending on the presence of the original centerfold. Her original centerfold slide transparencies, sold at a Christies auction in the early 2000s, fetched nearly $2,000.