Bill Grant, the bodybuilding icon known to millions as the “Man of Steel” has passed away at the age of 79, as tributes flood in to remember a legend.
Finding success during bodybuilding’s Golden Era, Grant’s ambition to build muscle began aged 9, leading him to trained in his bedroom and a pal’s 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.
Grant’s friend and fellow bodybuilder, Shawn Ray took to Instagram following the news on June 3, 2026, to share his loss. “Sad news today as legend, Bill Grant has passed away,” said the multi time Mr Olympia competitor. “Bill was born on September 27, 1946. Bill was 79 years old. Condolences to his family and friends.”
The exact cause of death was not disclosed as of this writing.
Born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Grant became a regular at his local YMCA. “I was always picked on, beaten by everybody even by the girls,” he once said, in words made available by his official website. “I got tired to be beaten all the time, I loved sport, but I couldn’t play football because I was too small.”
By working hard in the gym, Grant added 45 pounds to his skinny frame, within the space of just four years. “I read all the magazines religiously and honestly,” he explained. “I saw Serge Nubret in a magazine, and Sergio Oliva, Reg Park.” Now, Grant will be remembered alongside his heroes as an inspirational figure that captured the peoples’ imagination thanks to a huge heart and massive muscles.
“To 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,” reflected Grant’s official Instagram account. “His passion for bodybuilding, his discipline, knowledge, humor, and larger-than-life personality left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.”
The whole team at Muscle & Fitness extends its deepest condolences for a legend lost but never forgotten.
