Les Mills Snr, Olympic athlete and fitness pioneer, dies at 91

Born in 1934, Mills channeled a difficult childhood into a lifelong dedication to strength. Alongside his late wife Colleen, a fellow world-class athlete, he opened his first gym in Auckland in 1968. That venture evolved into the Les Mills New Zealand chain and eventually the global Les Mills International group, a powerhouse of group training that popularized workouts like BODYPUMP.

Beyond his impact on the fitness world, Mills was a prominent political figure, serving three terms as Mayor of Auckland during the 1990s. His administration focused on urban regeneration and infrastructure reform. His contributions were formally recognized in 1973 as a Member of the Order of the British Empire and in 2002 as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Reflecting on his father’s life, Managing Director Phillip Mills noted that the common thread in his work was a persistent desire to help others. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.