{"id":9879,"date":"2026-01-14T21:24:27","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=9879"},"modified":"2026-01-14T21:24:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:24:27","slug":"brazilian-popeye-bodybuilder-dies-aged-just-55-after-tv-star-took-home-made-drugs-had-biggest-biceps-in-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=9879","title":{"rendered":"‘Brazilian Popeye’ bodybuilder dies aged just 55 after TV star took home-made drugs & had ‘biggest biceps’ in country"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A POPULAR Brazilian bodybuilder dubbed the real-life Popeye has tragically died. <\/p>\n

Arlindo de Souza, 55, once known for having the largest arms in Brazil, claimed to have built his physique using oil injections. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for The US Sun<\/span> newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThank you!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"A
Body builder Arlindo de Souza has died at 55<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Extreme
The Brazilian muscle man was known for his 29-inch biceps<\/span>Credit: Barcroft Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The muscle man passed away from kidney-related issues after he was hospitalised at Christmas. <\/p>\n

The weightlifter had made global headlines when his biceps measured a staggering 29 inches round.<\/p>\n

Reports at the time said his muscles had been the product of a self-administered cocktail, made up of mineral oil and alcohol. <\/p>\n

Despite their appearance, the muscles did not make him any stronger.<\/p>\n

His relatives confirmed his death on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Speaking to local media, de Souza\u2019s niece said one of his kidneys had failed during the week of Christmas. <\/p>\n

\u201cHis lungs began to fill with fluid,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t even make it to haemodialysis because he went into cardiac arrest. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe death certificate hasn\u2019t been issued yet, but I believe it was due to multiple organ failure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctors had previously warned de Souza about the potential consequences of his frequent injecting, which included abscesses that could end in amputations as well as death. <\/p>\n

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Just over a decade ago, the bodybuilder told UK media that he had lost a friend \u2013 named Paulinho \u2013 who had also taken part in the dangerous methods. <\/p>\n

\u201cI felt his death a lot,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe took it, I took it, but he went beyond the limit. I advise no-one to take this oil.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve stopped taking it, and other things as well, but there is always that will to start again. But I\u2019m managing to control myself, to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n

He revealed an acquaintance at the gym had first offered him the injection cocktail. <\/p>\n

\u201cI was working out the same so my strength stayed the same, nothing changed,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cMost people who take it do not know how to apply it. They will use just any old blood vessel. <\/p>\n

\u201cSome will end up losing an arm, another needs an operation, some may even lose their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Souza started weight lifting as a teenager with his brother, who relatives say died after he was mugged. <\/p>\n

The bodybuilder was single and had no children. <\/p>\n

He did odd jobs as a bricklayers apprentice, according to his family. <\/p>\n

Tributes were pouring out for him in his local neighbourhood in Aguas Compridas in Olinda, where de Souza lived with his mother. <\/p>\n

One person said: \u201cLegend from Aguas Compridas. Rest in peace\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou will never be forgotten,\u201d another said. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A POPULAR Brazilian bodybuilder dubbed the real-life Popeye has tragically died. Arlindo de Souza, 55, once known for having the largest arms in Brazil, claimed to have built his physique using oil injections. Sign up for The US Sun newsletter Thank you! Body builder Arlindo de Souza has died at 55 The Brazilian muscle man […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":425,"featured_media":9880,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-9879","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news"},"yoast_head":"\n'Brazilian Popeye' bodybuilder dies aged just 55 after TV star took home-made drugs & had 'biggest biceps' in country - World Bodybuilding News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=9879\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"'Brazilian Popeye' bodybuilder dies aged just 55 after TV star took home-made drugs & had 'biggest biceps' in country - World Bodybuilding News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A POPULAR Brazilian bodybuilder dubbed the real-life Popeye has tragically died. 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