Brazilian Bodybuilder Known as Popeye Dies at 55 After Health Battle
Arlindo de Souza, the Brazilian bodybuilder who gained worldwide fame as the Brazilian Popeye, has died. He was 55 years old. His passing shocked fitness fans who remembered his huge arms and dramatic physical transformation.
Health Crisis Led to Hospitalization and Death
According to reports from Globo, a major Brazilian news outlet, De Souza died on Tuesday in Recife, Brazil. He had faced serious health issues for several weeks before his death.
Doctors admitted him to the hospital in December after his kidneys started failing. Medical teams tried to save him, but his condition deteriorated rapidly. His family explained that one kidney stopped working first. The second kidney failed just days later, right before Christmas.
Fluid then filled his lungs. He suffered cardiac arrest before doctors could begin haemodialysis treatment. This procedure helps patients with kidney failure. Authorities have not yet released an official death certificate.
Risky Injections Created His Famous Look
Arlindo de Souza became famous for his enormous arms. They measured nearly 29 inches in circumference. He achieved this look by injecting a dangerous mixture of mineral oil and alcohol directly into his muscles.
This risky method made his arms appear much larger than normal. However, it did not increase his actual strength. Multiple doctors warned him repeatedly about the practice. They said it could cause severe damage to his health.
From Fame to Warning Others About Dangers
De Souza first rose to fame in the early 2000s. He appeared on Brazilian television shows, displaying his Popeye-like arms. He once said he learned about the injections from a man at his local gym. This person offered him the oil mixture.
Over time, De Souza stopped using the injections. He began warning young athletes against copying his mistakes. About ten years ago, he spoke about losing his close friend Paulinho. His friend also used the same dangerous injections.
I felt his death a lot, De Souza told The Sun. He took it, I took it, but he went beyond the limit. I advise no-one to take this oil.
He added, I've stopped taking it, and other things as well, but there is always that will to start again. But I'm managing to control myself, to this day.
Personal Tragedy Influenced His Life Path
Family pain shaped much of De Souza's life. As a teenager, he started working out with his brother. His brother later died during a mugging incident. This loss affected him deeply.
His nephew Denis Gomes de Luna told Globo, After losing his brother, he started focusing more on working out, joined some people from his neighborhood, and began injecting oil until he looked like that.
De Souza never married and had no children. He lived with his elderly mother. Due to her fragile health, she remains unaware of his death at this time.
