India, June 29 -- Les Mills, the former New Zealand Olympian, fitness entrepreneur, and three-time mayor of Auckland, has passed away peacefully at the age of 91. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the global fitness industry, Mills also enjoyed an outstanding athletics career, representing New Zealand at four Olympic Games and winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in track and field before building an internationally recognised fitness brand.

Paying tribute, his son Phil Mills said, "He achieved a huge amount in his life. And the common thread throughout - whether in fitness, politics or family life - was that he always wanted to help others." He added, "Dad was immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less adv...