Arabic version: ليس ميلز، رائد اللياقة البدنية والأولمبي، يتوفى عن عمر يناهز 91 عامًا
Les Mills, the renowned New Zealand Olympian and founder of a global gym chain, has died at the age of 91. His son, Phillip Mills, announced that his father passed away peacefully at 3:30 AM on Monday, surrounded by family. According to The Guardian, Mills was a significant figure in both athletics and fitness.
Born in Auckland in 1934, Mills turned to athletics following the death of his father when he was just 11 years old. He represented New Zealand at the Olympics four times, excelling in discus and shot put and earning multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games. The New Zealand Olympic Committee recognized his contributions, stating that he set a high standard for future athletes.
In 1968, Mills and his wife, Colleen, opened the first Les Mills gym in Auckland, which grew into an international fitness empire. The family later introduced popular workout programs such as BodyPump and BodyCombat, now taught in more than 22,000 fitness clubs across over 100 countries.
Mills also had a notable political career, serving as the mayor of Auckland from 1990 for three consecutive terms. His commitment to the community was evident, as he worked diligently to improve the lives of Auckland residents. After his political tenure, he continued to mentor athletes and support charitable organizations.
Recognized for his contributions to sports, Mills was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1973 and received the title of Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002. In 2022, he, along with his son and daughter-in-law, was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.
