Legendary fitness icon Joe Weider -- who mentored Arnold Schwarzenegger during his body building days and built a vast fitness empire -- died of heart failure today at age 93.
After his passing, Arnold released a statement, saying, "Joe didn’t just inspire my earliest dreams; he made them come true the day he invited me to move to America to pursue my bodybuilding career. I will never forget his generosity."
Weider was a god in the fitness world -- not only was he the catalyst for Arnold's impressive career, he also created a publishing empire which included "Muscle & Fitness", "Flex", "Shape" and "Men's Fitness" magazines.
Weider died Saturday at his home in L.A. He is survived by his wife, Betty.
