A Brazilian bodybuilder who gained international fame for his enormous, 29-inch biceps, achieved through dangerous synthetic injections, has died at the age of 55.
A Tragic End Following Kidney Failure
Arlindo de Souza passed away on Tuesday morning at the Otavio de Freitas Hospital in Recife, north-east Brazil. His death has been linked to severe kidney complications. According to his nephew, Denis Gomes de Luna, one of de Souza's kidneys failed after he was hospitalised in December, followed by the other during Christmas week.
"His lungs began to fill with fluid," his nephew explained to local media. "He didn't even make it to haemodialysis because he went into cardiac arrest." While an official death certificate is pending, the family believes the cause was multiple organ failure.
The Dangerous Pursuit of 'Popeye' Muscles
De Souza became a notorious figure, often dubbed a real-life Popeye, after his biceps measurement stunned the world. He achieved his extreme physique by injecting a hazardous cocktail of mineral oil and alcohol directly into his muscles, a practice known as synthol or site enhancement oil.
Medical professionals had repeatedly warned him that the injections could lead to fatal consequences, abscesses, or even necessitate amputations. Ironically, de Souza himself admitted the oil did not increase his strength, only his size. "I was working out the same so my strength stayed the same. Nothing changed," he once said.
A Life of Warnings and Regret
In a poignant interview over a decade ago, de Souza revealed the personal toll of the practice, having lost a friend, Paulinho, to the same dangerous methods. "I felt his death a lot," he confessed. "He took it, I took it, but he went beyond the limit. I advise no-one to take this oil."
He claimed to have stopped the injections but admitted to an ongoing struggle, stating, "there is always that will to start again." De Souza highlighted the risks for untrained users, warning, "Most people who take it do not know how to apply it... Some will end up losing an arm, another needs an operation, some may even lose their lives."
The weightlifter, who was single and childless and worked as a bricklayer's assistant, lived with his elderly mother in the Aguas Compridas neighbourhood of Olinda. Tributes from locals called him a "legend" who would be remembered for his playful poses and willingness to engage with fans.
A message on his Facebook page remembered him as "a kind, helpful man, playful with his poses, beloved by the community." His story remains a stark and tragic cautionary tale about the extreme lengths some will go in the pursuit of physical perfection.
