Joe Weider

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, before founding the IFBB, Weider published the first issue of Your Physique magazine in 1936, when he was 17 years old. Thirty years later, in 1966, the publication was renamed Muscle Builder magazine. The name changed again to Muscle & Fitness in 1980. Other magazines published by Weider's publishing empire include "Mr America", "Muscle Power", Shape, Men's Fitness, Living Fit, Prime Health and Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Cooks, Senior Golfer, and Flex. He also authored numerous training courses beginning in the 1950s and developed the Weider System of Bodybuilding course. In addition, he penned numerous books beginning with The Weider System of Bodybuilding (1981) and co-wrote the 2006 biography Brothers Of Iron with Ben Weider. In 1983, Weider was named "Publisher of the Year" by The Periodical and Book Association.

Weider also published girlie magazines, such as Jem, Ace, and Monsieur.

Weider, the scrawny, poor Jewish boy with a 7th-grade education, began his bodybuilding and publishing empire with $7 at age 17 after building his own barbells out of junked car wheels and axles. In the 1950s he met and married Betty Brosmer, who was then the highest-paid pinup model in the U.S.

In the late 1990s his publication company, Weider Publications, was sold to American Media.

On Labor Day 2006, California governor and several-time Mr. Olympia winner Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Weider protege, presented him with the Venice Muscle Beach Hall of Fame's Lifetime Achievement award. During Weider's introduction, Schwarzenegger credited Weider with inspiring him and bringing him to the United States.