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One of the most famous professional female bodybuilders has sadly died after battling cancer.
American world champion bodybuilder and Playboy model Lisa Lyon is also said to have inspired a Marvel character.
The 70-year-old died on Friday (September 8) at her home in California, US.
READ MORE: Iconic Ms Fitness star who modelled for Playboy and made adult films dies after 'fall'
According to her close friends, the star had been battling stomach cancer and a week prior to her death she moved to hospice care after her condition worsened.
Lyon helped to put women's bodybuilding on the map when she won the first-ever International Federation of Bodybuilders Woman's World Pro Bodybuilding Championship in 1979.
She later published a book titled ‘Lisa Lyon's Body Magic’, sharing her fitness regime to inspire others.
One year later she posed for PlayBoy – at the time she was the only bodybuilder to be photographed by the publication.
This photoshoot led the way for her to step into talk show work and acting – starring in three films in the 1980s.
She is also said to have inspired the Marvel Comics character Elektra.
She was inducted into the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in 2000.
Movie star and bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger was a fan of Lyon and detailed his admiration for her to TMZ.
"She is the best. I love her," Schwarzenegger said.
Taking to social media, fans paid tribute to the legend.
One said: "A pioneer in women’s bodybuilding, Lisa Lyon, has passed. For all you gals who enjoy going to the gym, and being healthy, fit, and strong take a moment for a thought to Lisa. She helped normalize being a gym rat for women."
"Our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and fans of Lisa Lyon, who lost her battle with stomach cancer today at age 70. May she rest in peace", another added.
A third commented: "We join the bodybuilding world in mourning the passing of bodybuilding pioneer Lisa Lyon, who lost her battle with stomach cancer today. She was 70. May she rest in peace."
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- Body Building
- Playboy
- Marvel
- United States
- Cancer
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