Les Mills death: Olympian and fitness brand founder dies aged 91

SportsHealth & Fitness
29 Jun 2026 • 5:11 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Les Mills death: Olympian and fitness brand founder dies aged 91

  • Les Mills, the former New Zealand Olympian, fitness brand founder, and three-term Auckland mayor, has died at the age of 91.
  • Mills competed in discus and shot put at four Olympic Games between 1960 and 1972, and secured five Commonwealth Games medals, including a discus gold in 1966.
  • He co-founded the first Les Mills gym in Auckland in 1968 with his wife Colleen, which evolved into a globally recognised fitness brand.
  • Mills served three terms as Mayor of Auckland City in the 1990s, where he led significant reforms and development projects.
  • His contributions to sport and local government were recognised with a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1973 and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved