Bodybuilding Community Reacts To Tragic Loss Of Franco Columbu

Some terrible news broke today, as legendary bodybuilder Franco Columbu tragically lost his life in a boating accident. The bodybuilding community has come together to remember him, and mourn his passing.

Columbu is a pioneer in the bodybuilding world. In addition to being a close friend and training partner to Arnold Schwarzenegger, he had a ton of accolades. He had won the Mr. Universe competition, and the Mr. Olympia twice. Moreover, his legacy will span on, long past this generation. Thus, the bodybuilding world was rocked at the loss of this legend, and many people have posted social media messages, to celebrate his life.

Update:  5 Facts You Should Know About The Legendary Franco Columbu

Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone says the  “strongest bodybuilder I ever met” will be missed.

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FRANCO COLUMBU , The greatest and strongest bodybuilder I have ever met has past… He taught me many things that I have applied throughout my life – We will NEVER HAVE A MAN LIKE THIS AGAIN – thank you for the memories Franco

A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone) on Aug 30, 2019 at 12:23pm PDT

Bodybuilder Steve Kuclo shared the same sentiments as most people, regarding Franco Columbu.

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I’m sure that any bodybuilder would agree that Franco was a true inspiration, legend of the sport, and will always be one of the greatest of all time. Watching him and Arnold train in Pumping Iron countless times was extremely influential in forming me into the bodybuilder I am today… RIP🙏🏼

A post shared by Steve Kuclo (@stevekuclo) on Aug 30, 2019 at 11:18am PDT

Serbian IFBB Pro Milo Sarcev reposted Arnold’s heartwarming message, adding his own message of condolence.

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Sincere condolences to Franco’s family and certainly Arnold @schwarzenegger. Their wonderful lifelong friendship/brotherhood is legendary. Sad day for all of us. RIP Franco 🙏❤️ #Repost @schwarzenegger with @repostsaveapp · · · Franco, You’ve heard me say that I don’t like when people call me a self-made man. You’ve even heard me say that you’re part of the reason I could never accept that label. But I wanted you to know why. From the minute we met in Munich, you were my partner in crime. We pushed each other, we competed with each other, and we laughed at every moment along the way. When I finally got to America, I was alone. I’d left my family, my country, my whole life behind. So when I asked Joe Weider to bring you to train with me, it was because I knew I wasn’t the same without my best friend. I could thrive without money, without my parents, but I couldn’t thrive without you. I am devastated today. But I am also so, so grateful for the 54 years of friendship and joy we shared. The pumps, the chess games, the construction work, the meals, the pranks, the life lessons – we did it all together. We grew and we learned and we loved. My life was more fun, more colorful, and more complete because of you. I will always miss you. But I’ll also know that a part of you lives on in me, in Debbie, in Maria, and in the millions of people you inspired every day you lived. And I will be there for Maria and Debbie, so you can rest now with no worries. I love you Franco. I will always remember the joy you brought to my life, the advices you gave me, and the twinkle in your eye that never disappeared. You were my best friend. Love always, Arnold

A post shared by Milos Sarcev (@milossarcev) on Aug 30, 2019 at 11:28am PDT

Additionally, Rich Gaspari mourned his “boyhood hero” Columbu.

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I am sad to get the news that my boyhood hero and bodybuilding icon @francocolumbu has passed away at the age of 78 in Sardinia at sea. He was one of the bodybuilders to inspire me being of shorter height and Italian. Franco had one of the best lat spread and was known for his strength. #rip

A post shared by Richard Gaspari (@richgaspari) on Aug 30, 2019 at 8:58am PDT

Michael David Bryson shared a sad message of mourning for Columbu, on his Instagram page This Is Bodybuilding.

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It is with a heavy heart that I type these words, but 2X Mr. Olympia @francocolumbu has passed away just 3 weeks after his 78th Birthday. He apparently drowned while swimming on vacation in his homeland of Sardinia. As I learn more, I will tell more. Franco is the 3rd of our 14 Mr. Olympia winners to have passed. Sergio Oliva, Sr. and Larry Scott preceded him in 2012 and 2014 respectively. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans. #rip #francocolumbu

A post shared by MichaelD.Bryson (@this_is_bodybuilding) on Aug 30, 2019 at 10:31am PDT

Arash Rahbar references Franco’s “demeanor and happy go lucky personality” while paying his respects.

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Sad day for bodybuilding as we say good bye to the great former Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu. (@francocolumbu )Franco was considered to be One of Arnolds closest friends and won The Olympia the year after Arnold retired. Frank was not only an incredible bodybuilder and freakishly strong powerlifter but his demeanor and happy go lucky personality stood out to me the most. He was doing what he truly loved and it showed! You will be missed and we will remember you forever, rest in peace Franko🙏🏼🌹

A post shared by IFBB PRO Arash Rahbar (@arashrahbar) on Aug 30, 2019 at 10:38am PDT

IFBB Pro Victor Martinez reached out to Arnold in his post, acknowledging how important Columbu was to him.

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#rip @francocolumbu you were one of the best thing that ever happened to our industry. My condolences to your family and @schwarzenegger I know you two were best friends forever and now big part of your heart is missing. You will always be missed.

A post shared by Victor Martinez (@ifbbvictormartinez) on Aug 30, 2019 at 10:08am PDT

Shawn Ray posted this picture he took with the Mr. Universe champ.

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Condolences to the Franco Columbu Family. We lost a 2X Mr. Olympia Pioneer Champion Today and a really nice guy. 💪🏾🙏🏽 Rest In Peace Champ!❤️ #rip #mrolympia #bodybuilding

A post shared by Shawn Ray (@shawnrayifbbpro) on Aug 30, 2019 at 9:27am PDT

Multiple-time Mr. Olympia winner Phil Heath gave this warm message, reminiscing about talking to Columbu.

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I did not want to believe the sad news about Franco’s passing today. He was so strong, so driven, so humble and if you got a chance to meet him he was so damn funny!!!! It was just this past March we were all chatting it up on stage at Arnold’s Sunday Seminar and the stories you shared were awesome and absolutely hilarious. Thank you for always motivating us through your actions of strength, honor and kindness. You were a healer also being a Doctor of Chiropractic as you helped so many people with their ailments which I had found most impressive aside from the heavy lifts you would perform. Your ability to achieve bodybuilding’s highest honors, yet compete as a strongman carrying a refrigerator on your back to get injured but show no fear of getting back up, get checked out and literally do an interview with CBS exemplified your Demi-God greatness!!! You will be terribly missed and never forgotten. I am in complete shock! May you Rest in Supreme Power and thank you again for your incredible impact on the world! My most sincere condolences. #FrancoColumbu #MrOlympia #Legend #Strongman #DrOfChiropractic #RIP #RestInPower

A post shared by Phil Heath (@philheath) on Aug 30, 2019 at 11:32am PDT

According to Fouad Abiad, there was no better duo than these two, and it is hard to disagree with that sentiment.

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Name a better duo….I’ll wait. A moment of silence for a bodybuilding icon. RIP @francocolumbu #icon #legend #legendsneverdie #bestfriends

A post shared by Fouad 'Hoss' Abiad (@fouadabiad) on Aug 30, 2019 at 10:29am PDT

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R.I.P to our 2x Mr Olympia winner Franco Columbu! It was an honor knowing you the short time I did. May God bless you and your family. See you in the next life my friend! ❤️ #dex #dexter #dexterjackson #dexterjacksonclassic #dexterjacksonproductions #mro #mrolympia #mrolympia08 #blade #built #builtbyblade

A post shared by Dexter "The Blade" Jackson (@mrolympia08) on Aug 30, 2019 at 2:08pm PDT

William Bonac sends out condolences to Franco Columbu’s family.

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R.I.P Mr @francocolumbu My wish came true when i met you in Columbus Ohio 2018 backstage at the @arnoldsports I was kinda nervous to ask you for a pic, thank God i did. Cause this pic with you & Mr @schwarzenegger is priceless. Thank you Sir😊 . . To the family & friends and love ones my sincere condolences for the tragic passing of your beloved one Mr @francocolumbu 🙏🏾 From your fans & your iron brothers. Rest In Power #legend 👑🙌🏾 . . Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones, because regret is stronger than gratitude. . -Anne Frank

A post shared by IFBB William The Conqueror (@william_bonac) on Aug 30, 2019 at 7:31pm PDT

The loss of Columbu will send shockwaves throughout the bodybuilding world for a long time to come. He has had an incredible impact on the world, both in and out of bodybuilding. Furthermore, his legacy will live on to inspire future generations.

FitnessVolt sends their sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Franco Columbu.