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Bodybuilding pioneer who built multimillion dollar publishing empire, Joe Wieder has died of heart failure at the age of 93 in Los Angleles hospital on Saturday.

Joseph Weider was born Nov. 29, 1919 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

He published the first of what was to be many magazines issues at the age of 14 which was called Your Physique. In 1953, Your Physique was renamed Muscle Builder magazine. The name changed again to Muscle & Fitness in 1980. Other magazines published by Weider's publishing empire include "Mr. America", "Muscle Power", Shape magazine, Fit Pregnancy, Men's Fitness, Living Fit, Prime Health and Fitness, Cooks, Senior Golfer, and Flex, in addition to the more risque Jem_Magazine and Monsieur.

Moreover, He was the co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) along with brother Ben Weider and creator of the Mr. Olympia, the Ms. Olympia and the Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests.

He was also the man who has encouraged Arnold Schwarzenegger's Hollywood career throughout his life.

"He taught us that through hard work and training we could all be champions," said Schwarzenegger, the former California governor.

"When I was a young boy in Austria, his muscle magazines provided me with the inspiration and the blueprint to push myself beyond my limits and imagine a much bigger future."he added.

Schwarzenegger also said Joe Weider has secured his first role in a television film called 'Hercules in New York'.

Hercules in New York was a 1969 low-budget fantasy adventure film. However, it is one of the films that Schwarzenegger admits regretting having appeared in.

"He was there for me constantly throughout my life... and I will miss him dearly."

"He leaves behind a fantastic legacy of a fitter world. Very few people can claim to have influenced as many lives as Joe did through his magazines, his supplements, his training equipment, and his big-hearted personality. Joe was known for urging everyone, “Exceed yourself,” and there is no question that throughout his life, he did just that."

Schwarzenegger said in the statement published on his website.