Les Mills, the four-time New Zealand Olympian and former Auckland mayor whose name anchors a global fitness empire, died peacefully at 3:30 a.
m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, surrounded by his family, as reported by The Guardian.
The Auckland-born athlete turned to fitness at age 11 after losing his father.
He later competed in discus and shot put at the Olympics and earned gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games.
His son, Phillip Mills, released an official statement regarding the passing. He noted that his father accomplished a great deal by focusing consistently on helping other people.
"Dad was immensely strong, driven and always cared deeply for the less advantaged," said Phillip Mills.
The family legacy includes the establishment of the first Les Mills gym in Auckland in 1968 alongside his wife, Colleen.
This eventually transformed into Les Mills International.
"He left a lasting impression on everyone he met, and his spirit lives on in gym workouts around the world, continuing to help people fall in love with fitness," said Phillip Mills.
The fitness group introduced choreographed programs like BodyPump, BodyAttack, and BodyCombat. These are now utilized in more than 22,000 clubs across more than 100 countries.
Beyond his athletic and business career, Mills transitioned into politics. He secured three consecutive terms as the mayor of Auckland starting in 1990.
"He really cared about all the communities in Auckland," said Phillip Mills.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee recognized Mills as an incredibly respected figure within the nation's sports history.
"Les Mills set a standard for what it takes to represent New Zealand at the Olympic and Commonwealth games," said Nicki Nicol, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
The sporting organization emphasized that his contributions remain firmly rooted in the athletic narrative of the country.
"His place in New Zealand’s Olympic history is firmly established and no doubt his legacy will continue to inspire," said Nicki Nicol.
Following his political career, Mills mentored athletes and supported charities.
He earned a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1973, a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002, and an induction into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2022.
