Les Mills, 91, Dies After Defining New Zealand Fitness

The fitness icon and former Olympic athlete Les Mills has died aged 91, according to his family. He began his career by opening a gym in Auckland with his late wife In the late 1960s, the brand grew to a nationwide chain, later becoming a household name around the world for music‑powered workout programmes such as Body Pump and Body Combat.

Mills’ athletic résumé includes competing in shot put and discus at four Olympic Games and earning five Commonwealth Games medals, including gold in 1966. In the 1990s he turned to local politics, serving three terms as mayor of Auckland City, and stayed involved in sports coaching, most notably guiding discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina to a world title.

He was recognised with national honours: a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1973 and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002, acknowledging his services to sport and local government. The New Zealand Olympic Committee’s CEO said his place in Olympic history remains firmly established.

Phillip Mills, the founder’s son, noted that his father “always wanted to help others. Dad was immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less advantaged”. He added that the spirit that inspired gyms worldwide lives on, encouraging people to embrace fitness.