Roy Hilligenn

Roy Stanley Hilligenn (November 15, 1922 – August 3, 2008) was an American bodybuilder who was awarded the title of Mr. South Africa for four years, as well as AAU Mr. America in 1951. Famous for his strength, vegetarianism, and smile, Hilligenn mixed bodybuilding and weight training in his fitness programs. He appeared on famous magazine covers such as Strength & Health and Iron Man during his bodybuilding career. Standing at only , Hilligenn was the shortest person to ever win the Mr. America title. Soon after his birth, his family moved to South Africa, where he grew up. When Hilligenn was 4-years-old, his father died, and soon after, his mother placed him and his four siblings in an orphanage. Three years after his injury, Hilligenn began competing in novice weightlifting meets.

Sexual battery convictions

Hilligenn who had worked as a masseur at his Hernando County clinic was convicted of sexually assaulting two of his female clients. He was also hired as a personal trainer for a St. Petersburg family and was accused of fondling a 21-year-old female member of the family. Between 1987 and 1989, Hilligenn served two years in prison on two accounts of sexual battery and three accounts of assault.

Personal life

Hilligenn was a vegetarian, claiming not to have eaten meat. He stated that "I believe being a vegetarian all my life is a secret to [my] youthful countenance and longevity and perfect health."

Hilligenn married Marilyn Hilligenn in the early 1960s. He died on August 3, 2008, at the age of 85. He developed a blood clot after he fell and hit his head. After undergoing surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, he went into a coma and never came out of it.