Les Mills, a New Zealand Olympian who transformed a modest Auckland gym into an international fitness phenomenon, has died at 91. The athlete-turned-entrepreneur built his business empire on the foundation of athletic excellence and community fitness programs that spread far beyond his home country's borders.

Starting from that single gym in Auckland, Mills created a fitness brand that expanded globally, representing one of the more successful transitions from sports to business in the industry. His approach to group fitness and structured workout programs helped establish templates that many other fitness chains later adopted.

The worldwide chain that bears his name now operates in dozens of countries, serving millions of members who participate in the signature classes that Mills pioneered. His death marks the end of an era for the fitness community, which has long recognized his contributions to making exercise accessible and engaging for diverse populations.

While the company's current valuation and market position aren't specified in the report, Mills' legacy as both an Olympian and fitness entrepreneur remains cemented in the industry's evolution over the past several decades.