Tag: Bill Pearl
Bodybuilding Legend Bill Pearl Has Passed Away At 91 Years Old
Golden Era bodybuilder Bill Pearl passed away in his home early Wednesday morning.
Former Mr. Universe champion and Golden Era bodybuilding legend Bill Pearl has passed away at the age of 91. Pearl, who enjoyed incredible success on stage, was battling Parkinson’s disease and this might have played a role in his death. The news was announced on Wednesday by Pearl’s wife, Judy Pearl, on his official Facebook page.
Pearl was recently involved in a mower accident and picked up a bacterial infection while he was in the hospital. He was able to overcome the infection thanks to “intense antibiotic therapy.” Judy Pearl shared a long message on behalf of her husband.
“TO ALL OUR FAITHFUL FACEBOOK FRIENDS:
As you all know, Bill has overcome a lot of things that would have taken down a lesser man in this past year.
just as he was getting back in the gym after his accident, he developed a bacterial infection (pseudomonas) which he apparently picked up while in the hospital. after intense antibiotic therapy, he overcame that.
i believe the parkinsons finally defeated him.
he passed away peacefully at home at 4:00 AM this morning.”
The Legendary Career Of Bill Pearl
At 22 years old, Bill Pearl served in the United States Navy. He was stationed in San Diego and began training at Leo Stern’s gym. In 1953, he competed for the first time as a professional, winning the AAU Mr. California and Mr. America competitions.
That same year, Pearl won the first of four NABBA Mr. Universe titles. In 1956, Pearl captured the Mr. USA title. Aside from his career on stage, Peal began managing several gyms and even dabbled in owning. This includes his purchase of George Redpath’s gym in 1962, which was one of the first co-ed gyms in the country.
Following his career on stage, Bill Pearl worked as a trainer, coaching nine Mr. America winners and 14 Mr. Universe champs. He also wrote three books, where he continued to share his knowledge of fitness.
Bill Pearl won six Lifetime Achievement Awards following his career from many outlets. In 2004, he was awarded the Arnold Schwarzenegger Lifetime Achievement Award for his incredible work in bodybuilding.
“All day yesterday he was fretting about his facebook page,and had me post a couple of things he had prepared.
He loved to share stories of other peoples triumphs and accomplishments.
he had written a lot while his page was down last year which he asked me to continue to post.
He so much appreciated your prayers and messages of encouragement after his accident. He loved reading your comments and arguements. It kept him occupied when he was unable to do much physically. Thank you all. I know we will all miss him,” Judy Pearl wrote on Facebook.
Generation Iron sends condolences to the family and friends of Bill Peal during this time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Bodybuilding Legend Bill Pearl Recovering From Back Surgery After Scary Accident Involving Riding Mower
91-year-old Bill Pearl was in a dangerous accident when he flipped on his Craftsman riding mower.
Bodybuilding legend Bill Pearl enjoyed great success over the course of his career on stage. At 91 years old, Pearl remains active in retirement and enjoys doing daily tasks to keep living a healthy lifestyle. Recently, Pearl was working outside and had a scary accident that left his face down under his Craftmans riding mower.
A recent Facebook post shared a story of the accident. Pearl was working outside when his riding mower got caught in the grass. After backing it up, the mower flipped and landed on Pearl’s back. After help was called, the mower was removed from Pearl’s back without any further damage. At the hospital, X-Rays revealed that Pearl suffered fractures in his back and required surgery.
Bill Pearl has recovered from his operation and will be able to return home soon.
“The article I just posted was prepared by Bill on Tuesday morning. It had rained the night before, but the sun had come out, and he decided to go up the hill and mow around the barn. He was using the smaller Craftsman riding mower and it got stuck on a squirrel mound, so he put it in reverse to back off of it and it kind of jumped, and being close to an embankment, rolled over the edge and came to rest against the barn, on top of Bill’s back.”
Bill Pearl began competing on stage in 1952 and enjoyed great success early on. Over the course of his career, Pearl won multiple Mr. Universe titles, along with Mr. America and Mr. USA. During his final Mr. Universe victory, Pearl defeated the likes of Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva.
Pearl retired from competition in 1971 but continued to make goes posting appearances until 1989. He has also written many books on fitness and continued his passion and love for bodybuilding even in retirement.
“after x-Rays a cat scan and an mri, a neurologist determined that he had a compression fracture of his t-10 vertebrae, among other things.
he was scheduled for surgery the next day. he endured six hours of very complicated surgery and praise the lord, he is resting un comfortably in the hospital, and should be home in a few days.
it may be awhile ’til he can sit at a computer again, but he’ll be back !!! we have many friends and family to thank fo their prayers and good wishes, we are so grateful.”
Bill Pearl continues to live an active life at 91 years old and nothing is going to change that. he is expected to recover and will be able to do so in the comforts of his own home.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.