What started with a magazine put together at his kitchen table (the first issue of which had a 110,000-copy order without any means of distribution) has turned into a successful career of promoting heathy living through magazines, books, and for period of time, a string of 26 fitness stores and a fitness clothing line. 
 

Robert Kennedy (1938 - 2012)

Kennedy wrote 53 books in his lifetime, several of which were New York Times best sellers. His Missisauga company, Robert Kennedy Publishing (RKP), currently produces five health and fitness magazines: MuscleMag International, Oxygen, American Curves, Reps! and Clean Eating. 

 

In March 2012, Kennedy was honored by longtime friend Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Arnold Classic, where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for all his work in the bodybuilding world.

 

Kennedy's Canadian-based publishing operation was remarkable for its success in the United States, the source of the vast majority of subscribers. Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he kept a low profile on the Canadian industry scene.

On the RKP website a memorial page has been set up. Within six hours, there were over 3,000 comments offering condolences. Here's just a sample of what some had to say.

 

Kimberly Castle: "It is so sad to hear of this great loss to the Fitness World. Robert and Oxygen Magazine were instrumental in my launch into fitness and allowing me to grace the cover of the the Fat Loss issue in 2007. I will forever be grateful. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. RIP"

 

Susie Montag: "I feel like a close friend has passed. RIP "Tough Love" Robert Kennedy. I hope you know how much you impacted the life of this middle-aged single Mom and your words and publications encouraged me to better myself and be all I can be."

Diane McCabe Smith: "Your legacy will be a hard act to follow far less rivalled. I'm not sure what this industry will do without you since you WERE the industry. I'm proud to say I knew you, met you and worked for you. Many blessings to you, your beautiful wife and your doting family."