Ben Weider was a Canadian bodybuilder and fitness promoter, born on February 1, 1916, in Montreal, Quebec. He is best known for co-founding the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) in 1946, which played a significant role in popularizing bodybuilding as a sport. Weider also created the Mr. Olympia competition, one of the most prestigious bodybuilding contests in the world. In addition to his contributions to bodybuilding, Weider was an influential publisher, launching several fitness magazines, including Shape and Muscle & Fitness. He was a strong advocate for physical fitness and health, promoting exercise and nutrition throughout his life. Ben Weider passed away on March 17, 2008.