Story perspectives

Les Mills, 91, Olympian Founder of Global Fitness Empire Dies

6/30/2026

Summary

Les Mills Dies

Les Mills died Monday at 91, his company said.
He opened his first Auckland gym with wife Colleen in 1968, later expanding to 12 gyms.
His son Phillip Mills and partner Jackie founded Les Mills International, whose classes now reach over 100 countries.
Mills competed in four Olympics, earned five Commonwealth medals and a 1966 discus gold, and set a 19.81 m shot-put record in 1967 that lasted 44 years.

Summary

Les Mills Inspires

Les Mills Sr. credited the Charles Atlas program for sparking his fitness passion, which led him to launch the global BODYPUMP™ program that reshaped club workouts.
Greta Wagner, interim HFA president, said Les Mills’ Auckland clubs demonstrate how fitness facilities can strengthen communities and improve public health.
Phillip Mills noted that his father’s aim to help the less-advantaged is reflected in the family’s charitable work.

Summary

Les Mills Transforms

During his 1990-1998 mayoralty, Mills launched the Sky Tower, SkyCity complex and America’s Cup village.
He also oversaw the Aotea Centre, Civic Theatre refurbishment and the Britomart Transport Project, creating a rail hub.
Mills introduced tighter spending controls that kept Auckland’s public debt below NZ$1 million during his eight-year term.
From 1977-1979 he served as Papua New Guinea’s national sports director and was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2022.

History

Historical Context

Kenneth H. Cooper coined “aerobics” in 1966, and Jack LaLanne’s daily TV workouts began in 1951, establishing mass-media fitness. Jane Fonda’s 1982 workout video popularized home-exercise worldwide, shaping public-health policy. Building on that legacy, New Zealand’s 2024 budget earmarks NZ$20 million for gym infrastructure to expand significant nationwide community health programs across the country.

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Les Mills Dies

Les Mills died Monday at 91, his company said.
He opened his first Auckland gym with wife Colleen in 1968, later expanding to 12 gyms.
His son Phillip Mills and partner Jackie founded Les Mills International, whose classes now reach over 100 countries.
Mills competed in four Olympics, earned five Commonwealth medals and a 1966 discus gold, and set a 19.81 m shot-put record in 1967 that lasted 44 years.

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