Lisa Lyon

US American Bodybuilder, performance artist and one-time muse of Robert Mapplethorpe.
Born on May 13, 1953, in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Died on Sep. 8, 2023 in Westlake Village, CA, USA.
Lisa Lyon was a trailblazer in the field of bodybuilding and a performance artist. Her career took off when she won the inaugural Women’s World Pro Bodybuilding Championship in 1979, marking her as a rising star in women’s fitness. Her victory brought her into the limelight and she quickly became a minor celebrity. Lyon’s career took an artistic turn when she began a two-year collaboration with Robert Mapplethorpe. She posed for a series of photographs that delved into themes of femininity, sexuality, and identity. This body of work was later published in a book titled “Lady: Lisa Lyon” in 1983. In addition to her work with Mapplethorpe, Lyon also posed for other renowned photographers such as Helmut Newton and Lynn Davis. Her striking physique and charismatic presence also led to appearances in several movies, including “Vamp” in 1986. In 1981, Lyon shared her fitness insights with the world through her book "Lisa Lyon’s Body Magic." Her contributions to fitness and bodybuilding were recognized when she was inducted into the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation Hall of Fame in 2000.