She subsequently appeared as a centerfold in the December 1980 issue and was named Playmate of the Year for 1981.
Welles was the inspiration for the "Bobo Weller" character in the film Star 80.
Playboy Enterprises, which was starting up its own online business at this time, sued Welles in 1998 claiming that it had the exclusive right to use of its trademark terms "Playboy" and "Playmate of the Year" for commercial purposes.
Welles closed down her web site on October 31, 2006, with the announcement that it had "been a fun ride".
[1] Welles married NHL ice hockey player, Charlie Simmer, in 1981; they divorced in 1986.