Bodybuilding grew in popularity after bodybuilders like Steve Reeves and Reg Park became film stars in the 50s and 60s. However, it wasn’t until the 70s with the rise of Arnold Schwarzenegger and his efforts that the sport’s popularity exploded. Female bodybuilders also found the opportunity to showcase their physique due to the sport’s growing popularity. The first female bodybuilder who became an IFFB champion was Lisa Lyon.

Lyon won the IFBB Women’s World Pro Bodybuilding Championship in 1979. The trailblazer also paved the way for female bodybuilding to become more mainstream as she appeared in Playboy magazine the following year and later worked with renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. However, recently, news broke that the now 70-year-old legendary bodybuilder is fighting for her life.

A grave diagnosis

After her trailblazing years ended Lisa Lyon gradually faded from the limelight. Now 70, the first women’s bodybuilding champ who impressed the Austrian Oak got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On September 2nd, TMZ broke the news that in her fight with pancreatic cancer, Lyon was slowly losing the battle. Earlier, Generation Iron posted about it on Instagram.

According to the news outlet, Lisa Lyon is in a“grave condition.”?However, no further details about her present condition have emerged. Bodybuilding fans reacted to the tragic news and sent their prayers for Lyon.

The news leaves bodybuilding fans devastated

Fans of the legend were shocked to know the sudden and tragic development. “Oh no! I remember her from Arnold?s books for women,”?wrote one bodybuilding enthusiast. One fan said Lisa Lyon was the reason she got into lifting.?“She is the reason I started lifting weights in 1984!!!!!” wrote the fan. “So beautiful!! Prayers to you!!” added the fan.

Read More | WOW: Resurfaced Photograph Shows Arnold Schwarzenegger Lifted Up by Female Bodybuilder

Others left similar comments as they sent their prayers to the 70-year-old fighting for her life. “Sending prayers to her and her family,” one fan commented. “Da*n. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family,” wrote another fan. One fan offered a thought-provoking perspective. “My aunt was bodybuilding during that same time and died from pancreatic cancer,”?wrote the bodybuilding enthusiast.?“I wonder if anything is related that could cause that,”?she added.

Lisa Lyon paved the way for female bodybuilding with her work. While she became the first female IFBB champ, she didn’t focus on competing. Instead, Lyon worked with renowned photographers and helped female bodybuilding get mainstream attention.

Watch this story | Years After Career-Ending Injury, Bodybuilding Veteran Recalls a Close Member Responsible for ?Any Niggling Injuries?