Bodybuilder Lisa Lyon - who inspired Marvel character - dies aged 70

09 September 2023 , 00:41

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Lisa Lyon, a pioneering female bodybuilder and model, made significant contributions to her field (Image: Getty Images)

Professional bodybuilder and Playboy model Lisa Lyon has died at the age of 70. The pioneering athlete has been battling stomach cancer and passed away on Friday, reports TMZ. She died at her home in San Fernando Valley, where she was receiving hospice care.

Born in Los Angeles, California, she initially pursued art studies at the University of California at Los Angeles. However, her interest in weight training led her to the world of bodybuilding. She went on to win the first International Federation of BodyBuilders Women's World Pro Bodybuilding Championship in 1979, which was the only bodybuilding competition she participated in. She actively promoted bodybuilding for women through appearances in magazines, and television talk shows, and even authored a book titled "Lisa Lyon’s Body Magic" in 1981.

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She won the first IFBB Women's World Pro Bodybuilding Championship in 1979 (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Lyon's advocacy for women in bodybuilding elevated the sport to the level of fine art (Getty Images)

Her physical stats in October 1980 were 37A bust, 24" waist, 35" hips, 5' 4" height, and 120 lbs weight. She showcased impressive strength with a deadlift of 225 pounds, a bench press of 120 pounds, and a squat of 265 pounds. Lisa is often incorrectly credited as the first female bodybuilder to appear in Playboy in October 1980, although she was preceded by Kellie Everts in May 1977.

She worked with renowned photographers such as Helmut Newton, Joel-Peter Witkin, and Robert Mapplethorpe, the latter capturing her body as both traditionally feminine and powerfully masculine. Mapplethorpe's work resulted in the 1983 book "Lady: Lisa Lyon." In 2000, Lisa Lyon was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame for her contributions to promoting bodybuilding as fine art and media relations.

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She worked with renowned photographers like Helmut Newton and Robert Mapplethorpe (Getty Images)

Lisa Lyon's unique blend of femininity and strength was captured in Mapplethorpe's iconic photographs (Getty Images)

Aside from her bodybuilding and modelling career, she had a brief acting career, appearing in films like "Three Crowns of the Sailor" (1983), "Getting Physical" (1984), and "Vamp" (1986). Notably, her appearance served as inspiration for the Marvel Comics character Elektra, created by Frank Miller. Lisa Lyon's legacy encompasses her groundbreaking work in female bodybuilding, and modelling, and her influence on popular culture and art.

Vassia Barba