Bodybuilders and Fitness Icons Who Lost Their Lives in 2023

2023 turned out to be one of the best years for bodybuilding in recent times. The Mr. Olympia title changed hands, and there was plenty to talk about after the Olympia. However, despite the excitement, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses because some incidents shocked the bodybuilding and fitness communities.

Last year, we lost some legends and pioneers who helped shape bodybuilding and fitness in their primes. However, fans were also taken aback by the shocking and untimely demise of some of the industry’s most promising stars. Today, we remember the icons we lost in 2023. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first mentor

Seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger popularized bodybuilding across the globe. However, the Arnold Classic founder had humble beginnings in the village of Thal, Austria. In high school, the Austrian Oak developed a passion for weightlifting and bodybuilding, but it was Kurt Marnul who honed him into a weightlifter.

Kurt Marnul passed away on February 9, 2023. “Kurt Marnul, one of my first fitness idols, has passed away, and my thoughts are with his family,“ Schwarzenegger wrote in his tribute to the Austrian bodybuilding legend. “He was gracious with us even though we were little teenagers just learning to lift and he was Mr. Austria,“ Arnie added.

Schwarzenegger remembered how Marnul inspired him and his friends to excel. “He was the leader of our little lifting tribe, inspiring us and giving us a program,“ wrote the Austrian Oak. However, the fitness community lost another icon in February.

A ’90s women’s bodybuilding icon

Four-time Arnold Classic winner Flex Wheeler announced one of his friends, fellow bodybuilder Tonya Knight’s demise in February 2023. The pro bodybuilder was one shining star of women’s bodybuilding in the early 90s. She won the 1991 Ms. International competition. Knight also placed fourth in the prestigious Ms. Olympia at 22.

However, Knight’s career took a hit alongside the declining popularity of women’s bodybuilding. The bodybuilding champion was a bodybuilding and fitness icon who starred in the TV show American Gladiators. She had exceptional athleticism and became an idol for women looking to get into fitness.

Unfortunately, Knight lost her prolonged battle with Cancer at 56. Today, she is remembered as one of the trailblazers who helped women’s bodybuilding survive in the 90s. She was also one of the few 90s bodybuilders who found success on television.

The shocking demise of fitness influencer Jo Lindner

However, the death that rocked the entire online fitness community came on June 30, 2023. Beloved German-born and Thiland-based Men’s Physique competitor Jo Lindner’s death left the bodybuilding and fitness communities heartbroken. Lindner’s demise was sudden and gripped the industry with grief. 

While Lindner competed, he rose to fame as a social media fitness influencer. Fans knew him has Joesthetics online, and the bodybuilder commanded a following of millions worldwide. Lindnder’s friend, fellow bodybuilder Noel Deyzle, and his girlfriend announced his sudden demise.

They explained that Joestethics seemed fine and was scheduled to film some content on the afternoon he died. Lindner was with his girlfriend when he suddenly suffered an aneurysm. The fitness icon died in his girlfriend’s arms. The only prior warning turned out to be a not-so-serious headache he had a few days before his death. However, even before fans could process Joesthetic’s demise, another death shocked everyone.

The controversial death of fitness influencer Justyn Vicky

Justyn Vicky was a fitness influencer, personal trainer, bodybuilder, and nutritionist all rolled into one. However, despite his experience and knowledge, on July 17, 2023, Vicky died tragically at 33. The bodybuilder died as a result of a freak accident while training at a gym in Sanur, Bali.

Vicky was chasing a PR on that fateful day and prepared to squat 460 lbs (210 kg). The 33-year-old took precautions by having two spotters who would help him bail out if he failed. However, the spooters couldn’t help when Vicky failed the lift. When he realized he couldn’t squat 460 lbs it was too late.

The fitness influencer fell forward, and the barbell crushed his neck. One of the spotters tried his best to grab the barbell from behind but failed. Vicky was rushed to the hospital, and doctors performed surgery to save the bodybuilder. However, he slipped into a coma and passed away the following day.

Vicky’s death became a massive controversy when footage of the deadly gym failure surfaced. Many argued that Justyn Vicky ego lifted, while others pointed to how the spotters had no idea what they were doing. Yet, July would bring more bad news.

A Venezuelan bodybuilding icon

South American bodybuilding legend Gustavo Badell met his untimely death on July 13, 2023. The Freakin Rican competed against some of the greatest mass monsters the bodybuilding stage has ever seen. Badell’s career-defining moment came when he placed third at the 2004 and 2005 Mr. Olympia.

The bodybuilder held his own against 8x Olympia winner Ronnie Coleman and 4x champion Jay Cutler. However, the icon’s untimely death at 50 shook the bodybuilding world. While Badell’s fame had faded, Cutler and Coleman remembered their Venezuelan challenger on social media.

Jay Cutler spoke about Gustavo Badell during his podcast. “This guy is very, very hungry and very determined, which was kind of a threat to me,” said Cutler. he also remembered how Badell ran to hug him after he finally defeated Ronnie Coleman to become Mr. Olympia.

British bodybuilding star Neil Currey’s untimely death

In September 2023, the fitness community learned of the shocking demise of British bodybuilding star Neil Currey. Currey was a dedicated bodybuilder who toiled for years to appear on the Mr. Olympia stage. Fans expected Currey to make a triumphant return in 2024. Instead, he was found dead in his apartment in Sheffield.

Former coach Milos Sarcev announced Currey’s passing on social media. “My last/best memory of him was this smiling face after he won New York Pro and fulfilled his lifetime dream of qualifying for the Mr. Olympia,“ wrote the former Mr. Universe winner. Currey’s death was shocking as he was always cheerful.

Sheffield’s Medico-Legal Centre recently revealed that Currey died after a lethal dose of c*ca*ne and m*th. The late bodybuilder’s parents wrote that Currey had used ste***ds to achieve his Olympia-level physique. However, they believe PEDs made him “very isolated and depressed.” 

The bodybuilding and fitness icon even stopped telling his parents in the months leading up to his demise. However, after the demise of a rising bodybuilding star in September, fitness fans learned about the death of a pioneer in the same month.

The pioneer of women’s bodybuilding and fitness

On September 8, 2023, Lisa Lyon lost her long battle with stomach cancer at the age of 70. News about her worsening condition had surfaced a few days before her demise. Lyon was a trailblazer and pioneer of women’s bodybuilding. She became the first IFBB Woman’s World Pro Champion in 1979.

Besides setting the benchmark for women’s bodybuilding competitions, Lyon also became a fitness idol for women in the 80s. She also collaborated with bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger for an iconic photoshoot to promote the sport. However, the women’s fitness icon moved away from competing.

Lisa Lyon saw bodybuilding as an art and later even posed for Playboy magazine. She also acted in television. The IFBB inducted her into the Hall of Fame in 2000. Lisa Lyon’s athleticism, charisma, and charm left a lasting impression on Arnold Schwarzenegger as well. “She’s the best. I love her,“ Arnie once told TMZ about Lyon.

While the fitness and bodybuilding communities lost many icons last year, their contributions to the sport will remain relevant forever.