Arlindo de Souza, a Brazilian bodybuilder who achieved fame because of his conspicuous Popeye-looking arms, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 55.
Known as the “Brazilian Popeye,” Arlindo gained the look by injecting mineral oil and alcohol into his arms, TMZ reported.
The deceased bodybuilder’s family members said that he died in the Brazilian city of Recife, which is located in the State of Pernambuco. Arlindo’s relatives also said that he succumbed to renal failure complications, a condition that had left him admitted to the hospital since December.
Arlindo’s nephew, Denis Gomes de Luna, disclosed that his first kidney failed before the second one similarly gave up the ghost around December. He later suffered a cardiac arrest after his lungs got occupied with fluid. That was before he could undergo haemodialysis, which is a life-saving treatment for kidney failure.
Though officials have yet to issue Arlindo’s death certificate, doctors suspect he succumbed to multiple organ failure.
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The news of Arlindo’s death was also announced in a statement on his Facebook page.
“It is with regret and sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Arlindo, a kind, helpful man, playful with his poses, beloved by the community, who would stop and give his full attention to anyone who wanted to talk to him or take photos,” the statement said, per Metro. “May God rest his soul, and may he live on forever in our hearts.”
Arlindo gained popularity in the 2000s, appearing on television to display his cartoon-character look, TMZ reported. Per reports, his biceps spanned 73 centimeters.
While he was alive, doctors warned Arlindo that the arm injections he was taking to grow his biceps could result in his death or him suffering abscesses, a condition that could lead to amputations, Metro reported.
In a previous interview with UK press, Arlindo disclosed that a friend who was similarly taking the arm injections had passed away.
“I felt his death a lot. He took it, I took it, but he went beyond the limit. I advise no-one to take this oil,” he said at the time. “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.”
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