Hugh Hefner believes he's "one of the luckiest cats on the planet."

The 86-year-old Playboy publisher loves his life.

Hugh founded his legendary magazine in 1953 and the enterprise is still going strong.

The publishing mogul is elated that he decided to follow his true passion in his youth.

"It's nice to be alive," he told Radar Online at this year's Playboy Jazz Festival.

"I grew up a dreamer in a very typical conservative American home. But I dreamed impossible dreams and they came true. I am one of the luckiest cats on the planet."

Hugh is father to sons Cooper and Marston.

His love for his family fills him with joy.

"They are very special kids, the fact that we share a love of this music is remarkable," he gushed.

Octogenarian Hugh is still living it up. This spring Hugh welcomed British boy bands The Wanted and One Direction to his Playboy mansion to party with a host of models that are featured in his famed publication.