Jack LaLanne

LaLanne’s first marriage to Irma Navarre, whom he married in 1942 ended in divorce in 1948. They had one daughter.

He married Elaine Doyle, a television show presenter, in 1959 and remained happily married till his death. Doyle had one son from a previous marriage and the couple had one son together.

He died in 2011 at the age of 96 from respiratory failure. His family said that he had been working out till the day before his death.

Jack LaLanne was born in California to Jennie and Jean LaLanne as their third son. His parents were immigrants from France. His mother worked as a maid and his father was a dance instructor.

As a boy he was addicted to sugar and junk food. He had a bad temper and also suffered from various health problems like bulimia and headaches. He dropped out of school at 14.

At the age of 15 he attended a lecture by nutritionist Paul Bragg which had a dramatic effect on the young Jack who was motivated to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Inspired by Bragg, he not only began to eat healthier, but also started exercising and went back to school where he played in the high school football team.

He later went on to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from San Francisco.

He began a career in fitness training by opening the country’s first health and fitness club in California in 1936. He supervised his clients’ exercise training and gave nutrition advice.

His health club was however met with skepticism from doctors who were against this innovative concept. Undaunted, LaLanne continued motivating people to improve their overall health through exercise and proper diets.

He also designed several exercise equipment, including the original model on which the Smith exercise machine is based. He is the pioneer who developed the first leg extension machines and pulley machines which later on became the standard in the fitness industry.

LaLanne motivated all the sections of society including women, elderly and disabled to live a physically active life. He encouraged women to lift weights—an advice that was initially frowned upon—but later on became popular.

More and more people were beginning to realize the health benefits of exercise and by the 1980s, LaLanne operated more than 200 health spas all over the country.

He opened a health and fitness center in 1936 when such a concept was practically unheard of. He was a pioneer in the field of health and fitness who believed in what he was doing in spite of the initial criticism of his work.

He hosted the world’s first ever televised fitness show, ‘The Jack LaLanne Show’ in 1951 which ran for 34 years. He holds the credit for inspiring millions of Americans to ditch their sedentary lifestyle and move towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.