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Bill Grant, the bodybuilding icon known to millions as the \u201cMan of Steel\u201d has passed away at the age of 79, as tributes flood in to remember a legend.<\/p>\n
Finding success during bodybuilding\u2019s Golden Era, Grant\u2019s ambition to build muscle began aged 9<\/a>, leading him to trained in his bedroom and a pal\u2019s back yard. The bright lights would beckon, however, and Grant entered his first serious competition in his mid-twenties, placing a respectable sixth at the Mr. USA event. Through trial and error, Grant made steady progression thanks to his passion for building his physique and walked away with first place at the 1972 Mr. World competition. This top placing would be the start of a legendary story, with Grant repeating his success at the Mr World, the Mr International, and winning countless other trophies in the U.S. and Europe for more than two decades.<\/p>\n Grant\u2019s friend and fellow bodybuilder, Shawn Ray took to Instagram following the news on June 3, 2026, to share his loss. \u201cSad news today as legend, Bill Grant has passed away,\u201d said the multi time Mr Olympia competitor. \u201cBill was born on September 27, 1946. Bill was 79 years old. Condolences to his family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n The exact cause of death was not disclosed as of this writing.<\/p>\n Bill Grant competed in the Mr Olympia final several times<\/a> between 1976 and 1984 and hit a high of fourth place. \u201cBill was admired for his aesthetic physique, symmetry, and classic lines,\u201d remembered the Arnold Sports Instagram channel.<\/a> \u201c\u2026 he shared the stage with many of the sport\u2019s most legendary competitors during one of bodybuilding\u2019s most iconic era.\u201d<\/p>\n Born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Grant became a regular at his local YMCA. \u201cI was always picked on, beaten by everybody even by the girls,\u201d he once said, in words made available by his official website.<\/a> \u201cI got tired to be beaten all the time, I loved sport, but I couldn\u2019t play football because I was too small.\u201d<\/p>\n By working hard in the gym, Grant added 45 pounds to his skinny frame, within the space of just four years. \u201cI read all the magazines religiously and honestly,\u201d he explained. \u201cI saw Serge Nubret in a magazine, and Sergio Oliva, Reg Park.\u201d Now, Grant will be remembered alongside his heroes as an inspirational figure that captured the peoples\u2019 imagination thanks to a huge heart and massive muscles.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the bodybuilding world, Bill was one of the iconic personalities of the Golden Era, a champion, mentor, training partner, and inspiration to generations of athletes around the world,\u201d reflected Grant\u2019s official Instagram account.<\/a> \u201cHis passion for bodybuilding, his discipline, knowledge, humor, and larger-than-life personality left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.\u201d<\/p>\n The whole team at Muscle & Fitness<\/em> extends its deepest condolences for a legend lost but never forgotten.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nBill Grant Will Be Remembered as the Muscular \u201cMan of Steel\u201d<\/h3>\n