B.C.-born actor, model, and vegan activist Pamela Anderson has declared that outside of her family, Hugh Hefner was the most important person in her life.

In a teary Instagram message, Anderson also stated that Hefner taught her "everything important about freedom and respect".

Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine, died yesterday at the age of 91.

Anderson, who was born in Laydsmith, rocketed to international fame on Baywatch after appearing on the cover of Hefner's Playboy magazine in October 1989 and then as the Playmate of the Month in February 1990.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZkyhOylX6A

Anderson later made the cover of 13 other editions of Playboy, including the final one with nude photography.

You can read her full Instagram message below:

Mr Hefner
I have so many thoughts, I have no brain n right now to edit 
I am me because of you 
You taught me everything important about freedom and respect. 
Outside of my family 
You were the most important person in my life. 
You gave me my life... People tell me all the time 
That I was your favorite...
I'm in such deep shock. 
But you were old, 
your back hurt you so much. 
Last time I saw you 
You were using a walker. 
You didn't want me to see. 
You couldn't hear. 
You had a piece of paper in your pocket you showed me - 
with my name Pamela with a heart
around it.

Now, 
I'm falling apart. 
This feeling is so crazy. 
It's raining in Paris now. 
I'm by the window. 
Everything anyone loves about me is because you understood me. 
Accepted me 
and encouraged me to be myself. 
Love like no one else. 
Live recklessly 
With unfiltered abandon. 
You said the magazine was about a girl like me. That I embody the spirit you fantasized about. 
I was the one. 
You said.

I can hear you say -

Be brave. 
There are no rules. 
Live your life 
I'm proud of you. 
There are no mistakes. 
And with men - 
Enjoy ... (Your wonderful laugh)
You have the world by the tail 
You are a good girl 
And 
you are so loved - 
You are not crazy. 
You are wild and free
Stay strong,
Stay vulnerable. ... "It's movie time"

You loved my boys ... You were always, always there for us. 
With your love 
Your crazy wisdom. 
I will miss your everything. 
Thank you for making the world a better place. 
A freeer and sexier place. 
You were a gentleman 
charming, elegant, chivalrous 
And so much fun. 
Goodbye Hef ... Your Pamela