Benjamin "Ben" Weider (February 1, 1923 - October 17, 2008) was the co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) along with brother Joe Weider. He was a Jewish businessman from Montreal well-known in two areas: Bodybuilding and Napoleonic history.
In bodybuilding he founded and ran a physical fitness and sporting goods company bearing his name. He was IFBB president until October 29th 2006, when he announced his retirement. He donated a gym to the Israeli Knesset.
In Napoleonic circles Weider was known as a forceful advocate of the theory that Napoleon was assassinated by a member of his entourage during his exile in Saint Helena. He co-authored a book, The Murder Of Napoleon, with Sten Forshufvud about this. Weider also founded the International Napoleonic Society, of which he was the President, and has written numerous articles for this organization.[1]
In 1975 he was made a Member of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Officer in 2006.[1] In 2000, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. On October 12, 2000, he received the French Legion of Honor. Weider was also a 1984 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, member of the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame, Commander of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jeursalem and had several honorary doctorate degrees. The Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution at the Florida State University History Department has recently created the Ben Weider Chair in Revolutionary Studies.
From 1998 to 2005, Ben Weider was Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA. In 2005, he was promoted to be the Honorary Colonel of that military unit. In October 2006 Ben Weider unexpectedly retired as president of the IFBB.
In 2008, he was awarded the lifetime achievement award at the Arnold Classic 2008.
In Napoleonic circles Weider was known as a forceful advocate of the theory that Napoleon was assassinated by a member of his entourage during his exile in Saint Helena. He co-authored a book, The Murder Of Napoleon, with Sten Forshufvud about this. Weider also founded the International Napoleonic Society, of which he was the President, and has written numerous articles for this organization.[1]
In 1975 he was made a Member of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Officer in 2006.[1] In 2000, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. On October 12, 2000, he received the French Legion of Honor. Weider was also a 1984 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, member of the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame, Commander of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jeursalem and had several honorary doctorate degrees. The Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution at the Florida State University History Department has recently created the Ben Weider Chair in Revolutionary Studies.
From 1998 to 2005, Ben Weider was Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA. In 2005, he was promoted to be the Honorary Colonel of that military unit. In October 2006 Ben Weider unexpectedly retired as president of the IFBB.
In 2008, he was awarded the lifetime achievement award at the Arnold Classic 2008.
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