Losing someone dear to you is one of the most difficult feelings ever. The bodybuilding world has also seen its share of losses in recent times. Over the years, one of the sport’s greatest legends, Arnold Schwarzenegger has bid goodbye to many friends over the years. In 2019, Arnie’s best friend Franco Columbu passed away. Earlier this year, the news of the passing away of Kurt Marnul, his first weightlifting trainer and former Mr. Austria, shocked the bodybuilding world. Adding to the weight of the legend’s sorrows, a few weeks ago, he lost his sensei, Kiyoshi Yamazaki. Yamazaki taught Arnie the art of swordplay for Conan the Barbarian.

In what has come as another blow to Schwarzenegger, he has suffered another loss in the form of Lisa Lyon. A week after reports emerged about the former bodybuilder and Playboy model being in critical condition, news broke of the women’s bodybuilding pioneer losing her battle with cancer. According to TMZ, Lyon was battling cancer for a prolonged period, finally losing to the deadly disease at 70. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger loses another friend

Lisa Lyon was a pioneer in women’s bodybuilding and as a fitness model. She became the first woman to win the inaugural IFBB Women’s World Pro Bodybuilding Championship in Los Angeles in 1979.

The news outlet reported a family friend who had been helping care for Lyon told them that the 70-year-old passed away on Friday. She took her last breath at her home in San Fernando Valley.

In 2000, Lyon earned her place in the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federal Hall of Fame for raising bodybuilding to the level of an art form. She was also supposed to be one of the inspirations behind the Marvel Comics character Elektra.

Lyon and Arnold Schwarzenegger met in 1979 shortly after she became the first IFBB women’s bodybuilding champion. The Austrian Oak did a photoshoot with Lyon. She impressed the seven-time Mr. Olympia. “She is the best. I love her,” Arnie had told TMZ when asked about Lisa Lyon. Besides bodybuilding, the late bodybuilder also posed for several fitness magazines, including Playboy in 1980. She also posed for renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

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Although there was little hope for the 70-year-old’s recovery from previous reports, her death dealt another blow to the former California governor. In his Netflix documentary, the bodybuilding icon said how difficult it has been for him to deal with losing the people who inspired him.

Arnie opened up about the harsh reality of losing his friends and mentors

In episode three of his Netflix docu-series, Arnold Schwarzenegger opened up about losing the people he cared about in his life. “You know it is a big adjustment when you see so many of your friends pass away,” Arnie said in the documentary. “These are all people I’m indebted to,” added the bodybuilding icon.

Although the unexpected departure of Franco Columbu in 2019 deeply affected Schwarzenegger, he has sadly experienced the loss of many other cherished friends in recent times. At 76 years old, he continues to bid farewell to old friends from his glory days in bodybuilding.

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