Arnold Schwarzenegger is grieving the passing of Dave Draper, his friend and bodybuilder. Draper’s wife, Draper, confirmed his passing on Tuesday morning. She told her Facebook friends that Draper was in the process of transitioning. “calm and peaceful.” “Hi, friends, as the word’s getting out, I wanted to let you know so there’s no confusion. Dave died early this morning. I was with him and it was calm and peaceful. It, as his doctor told me a little while ago, was a good death,”she Submitted. The cause of death is still unknown.
The TerminatorStar reacted on social media to Draper’s death. “Dave Draper was an inspiration to millions of people all over the world, including me. He was one of my idols. In Austria, I kept his photo on the wall above my bed for motivation, and when I saw him starring in Don’t Make Waves, I thought, ‘My dreams are possible,'”He tweeted Tuesday morning.
Dave Draper was an inspiration for millions around the world, including myself. He was one my idols. For motivation in Austria, I had his picture on the wall above our bed. I was thrilled to see him staring in “Don’t Make Waves”, I thought,My dreams are possible.” pic.twitter.com/pSse0tS219
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) November 30, 2021
According to Barbend.comSchwarzenegger and Draper trained together at the famed Gold’s Gym, alongside other bodybuilding legends like Mike Katz, Frank Zane and Franco Columbu. Draper was a winner of multiple competitions such as Mr. New Jersey Contest. Mr. Universe, Mr. World and Mr. World. He also placed fourth at 1967 Mr. Olympia (won by Sergio Oliva).
Schwarzenegger continued: “When I got to America and finally met Dave, I learned his heart was as big as his pecs. He even hand-built my first furniture when I moved to Santa Monica, and man, he was talented. Can you imagine meeting your idol, becoming his training partner, and traveling the world together?”
He continued, “I was in heaven. He couldn’t have been more welcoming, and he always pushed everyone around him in the gym to be better. He was an amazing writer and a great family man. I will miss the Blond Bomber, but his memory will always be with me. My thoughts are with Laree and the family.”
