Bill Pearl

Bill Pearl (William Arnold Pearl, born in Prineville, Oregon on October 31, 1930 [Pearl, Bill & Shott, Kim."Beyond the Universe-The Bill Pearl Story", page 15. AGNI PRESS, 2003-2004. Retrieved on May 8, 2008] ) was a leading competitive American body-builder during the 1950s and '60s. He is 5' 9" tall.

Biography

His first major victory was in the 1953 Mr. Universe contest (in which he beat out a then 23 year old Sean Connery). He actively competed until his retirement in 1971 after winning the Mr. Universe one last time, over Reg Park and Sergio Oliva.

He is the author of the popular exercise book, "Getting Stronger". His book "Keys To The Inner Universe," is still to this day considered to be a "must read" for bodybuilders. It contains 1,500 weight-training exercises and weighs five pounds. Bill had his own monthly question-and-answer column called "Pearl of the Universe" in the bodybuilding magazine MuscleMag International. In 2003 with coauthor Kim Shott, Bill published his autobiography, "Beyond the Universe: The Bill Pearl Story".

Pearl became a vegetarian at age 39 and is the best known vegetarian bodybuilder. Bill's diet is lacto-ovo vegetarian, which means he eats eggs and dairy products.

During the 1980s, Pearl served as a mentor, trainer, and training partner to many of the top professionals that were still competing. One such individual was Mr. Olympia, Chris Dickerson.

Family - Parents & Siblings [Pearl, Bill & Shott, Kim."Beyond the Universe-The Bill Pearl Story", page 15. AGNI PRESS, 2003-2004. Retrieved on May 9, 2008]

Harold Frank Pearl :	Father	(b.1903)
Mildred Elizabeth Pasley :	Mother	(b.1905)
Fontelle Pearl :	Daughter	...eldest sibling
Harold Pearl :	Son	...middle sibling
Bill Pearl :	Son	(b.10-31-1930) ...youngest sibling

Bodybuilding Titles & Awards [Pearl, Bill & Shott, Kim."Beyond the Universe-The Bill Pearl Story", page viii. AGNI PRESS, 2003-2004. Retrieved on May 8, 2008]

*1952 Mr. San Diego, 3rd place (San Diego, California)
*1952 Mr. Oceanside (Oceanside, California)
*1953 Mr. Southern California (Los Angeles, California)
*1953 Mr. California (Los Angeles, California)
*1953 A.A.U., Mr. America (Indianapolis, Indiana)
*1953 N.A.B.B.A., Mr. Universe Amateur (London, England)
*1956 Mr. U.S.A., Professional (Los Angeles, California)
*1956 N.A.B.B.A., Mr. Universe, Professional, Tall Man’s Class (London, England)
*1961 N.A.B.B.A., Mr. Universe, Professional (London, England)
*1967 N.A.B.B.A., Mr. Universe, Professional (London, England)
*1971 N.A.B.B.A., Mr. Universe, Professional (London, England)
*1974 W.B.B.A., World’s Best-Built Man of the Century (New York, New York)
*1978 Entered into W.B.B.A., Hall of Fame (New York, New York)
*1978 Elected the I.F.B.B. National Chairman of the Professional Physique Judges Committee (Acapulco, Mexico)
*1988 Entered into Pioneers of Fitness Hall of Fame
*1992 Entered into Gold’s Gym Hall of Fame
*1994 Guest of Honor of the Association of Oldetime Barbell & Strongmen 12th Annual Reunion
*1994 Entered into The Joe Weider Hall of Fame
*1995 A.A.U. Lifetime Achievement Award
*1995 Oscar Heidenstam Foundation Hall of Fame
*1996 American Powerlifters Federation Hall of Fame
*1997 International Chiropractors Association Sports & Fitness Man of the Year
*1999 I.F.B.B. Hall of Fame Inductee [http://www.ifbb.com/halloffame/1999/pearl.htm. I.F.B.B. website. Retrieved on May 9, 2008]
*2000 Spirit of Muscle Beach Award
*2001 World Gym Lifetime Achievement Award
*2001 Society of Weight-Training Injury Specialists Lifetime Achievement Award
*2002 Canadian Fitness Award for 60+ Years of Inspiration to the Industry
*2002 National Fitness Trade Journal Lifetime Achievement Award
*2003 Iron Man magazine Peary & Mabel Radar Lifetime Achievement Award
*2004 Arnold Schwarzenegger Lifetime Achievement Award
*2006 PDI Night of Champions Lifetime Achievement Award ["Pearls of Wisdom - Bill Pearl a Bodybuilding Legend." DVD. GMV Productions, 2007]

Books authored & coauthored by Bill Pearl

*"Beyond the Universe" – The Bill Pearl Story
*"Getting in Shape": 32 Workout Programs for Lifelong Fitness
*"Getting Back in Shape": 32 Workout Programs for Lifelong Fitness
*"Getting Stronger": Weight Training for Men and Women
*"Getting Stronger": Weight Training for Men and Women (Revised Edition)
*"Keys to the INNER Universe"

Videos containing Bill Pearl

*"Pearls of Wisdom - Bill Pearl a Bodybuilding Legend", (DVD, 150 minutes) …rare and excellent footage of Bill Pearl
*"Bill Pearl & Dave Draper Seminar", (DVD, 75 minutes)

External links

* [http://www.billpearl.com Bill Pearl's - Official Website ...www.billpearl.com]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3399447379711321955 Pearls of Wisdom ...video clip]

References

See also

* List of professional bodybuilders