Robert Kennedy (publisher)
Robert Kennedy | |
---|---|
Born | 18 May 1938 Norwich University College of the Arts |
Occupation | Publisher |
Years active | 1972–2012 |
Known for | Founder and Owner of Robert Kennedy Publishing |
Spouse | Tosca Reno (m. March 16, 2004) |
Children | 2 |
Robert Kennedy (May 18, 1938 – April 12, 2012) was the founder of Robert Kennedy Publishing, based in Mississauga, Ontario.
Biography
The son of an Austrian father and an English mother, William and Doris Kennedy, both school teachers. He attended
Career
In 1972 Kennedy went into business for himself, selling courses of instruction by mail on
In addition to MuscleMag International, Kennedy has also written 53 books, including several
In 1976, Kennedy opened a chain of fitness stores called MuscleMag International, the first of which opened in downtown Toronto on Yonge Street. Kennedy soon followed with stores in Miami, New York, Las Vegas, and in the state of California, eventually reaching 28 stores. He also created a fitness clothing line (Faremon) and supplement line (Formula 1). Most of the stores were eventually closed, while the clothing and supplement line was sold or discontinued to concentrate on the core business of book and magazine publishing.
In 1997 Kennedy started Oxygen magazine, which targets a female fitness demographic. By 2008 the publication reached a circulation of over 200,000.
Currently, the magazine-publishing arm includes five titles: MuscleMag International (hardcore bodybuilding),
Kennedy is further credited with discovering and helping launch the careers of numerous fitness models, bodybuilders, actors and wrestlers, including
Kennedy was an internationally collected studio artist, and was himself a known admirer and collector of his contemporaries' artwork.[4][5] His collection, which included over 250 contemporary original acrylic and oil paintings, passed to the care and management of Kennedy's family since his death.[6] Kennedy himself painted under the name 'Wolfgang Kals', which was his father's name.[7] Kennedy was also an avid photographer, known to travel yearly to Santa Monica to shoot the bodybuilding greats.[8]
Personal life
Kennedy had two children, a son, Braden, and a daughter, Chelsea, with his first wife. In 1998, Kennedy and Braden who was then 11, were in a car crash. Kennedy was thrown from the car but Braden suffered severe brain damage and would require round-the-clock care (until his death in March 2011). After the accident Kennedy's wife committed suicide.[9]
Kennedy's second wife was fitness writer Tosca Reno, who is the author of the best-selling book series The Eat-Clean Diet (published by Robert Kennedy Publishing). Kennedy met Reno when she was Chelsea’s Grade 1 teacher, on the school playground. Reno, a mother of three, was at the time in the process of getting divorced and the two started a relationship and eventually married. Reno became a feature writer for Kennedy's Oxygen and Clean Eating magazines. Following Kennedy's death Reno assumed the position of publisher and chief executive officer at Robert Kennedy Publishing.[10]
Death
In February 2012, Kennedy was diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer. He tried alternative cancer treatments, such as high-dose intravenous infusions of vitamin C and B12, while also following a diet loaded with nutrients, healthy fats and protein. He was unable to stop the spread of the disease and died April 12, 2012, in his Caledon Hills, Canada home.[11][12][13]
Robert Kennedy Publishing filed for bankruptcy in 2013.[14] Oxygen, Clean Eating, and MuscleMag International were sold to Active Interest Media and moved to the US.[15]
Bibliography
"The Eat-Clean Diet for Men" (2009)
"Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding: The Complete A-Z Book on Muscle Building" (2008)
"1001 Musclebuilding Tips" (2007)
"Basic Routines for Massive Muscles Beef-It Training Secrets" (1998)
"The New Hardcore Bodybuilding" (1990)
"Hardcore Bodybuilding: The Blood Sweat and Tears of Pumping Iron" (1982)
References
- ^ "Robert Kennedy Publishing - Health, Fitness, Nutrition and Lifestyle Books and Magazines". Rkpubs.com. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ Robert Kennedy Publishing Shuttered
- ^ "Training Intensity Principles". Bodybuildingpro.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-17. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ http://webfarm.foliolink.com/Asset.asp?AssetID=58978&AKey=H5ACJ6V2
- ^ http://webfarm.foliolink.com/GalleryMain.asp?GalleryID=136366&AKey=H5ACJ6V2
- ^ http://webfarm.foliolink.com/Asset.asp?AssetID=58980&AKey=H5ACJ6V2
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-11. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ http://webfarm.foliolink.com/GalleryMain.asp?GalleryID=136367&AKey=H5ACJ6V2
- ^ https://www.thestar.com/living/health/article/1166712--robert-kennedy-was-a-trailblazer-in-the-fitness-industry Robert Kennedy was a trailblazer in the fitness industry
- ^ Robert Kennedy's publishing legacy handed to wife Tosca Reno
- ^ "Robert Kennedy (1938-2012)". Rkpubs.com. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ Robert Kennedy dies: Canadian fitness publisher dead at 73 Archived 2012-06-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ MuscleMag founder and industry legend Robert Kennedy passes away
- ^ More on the Demise of Robert Kennedy Publishing
- ^ Active Interest Media Buys 3 Titles from Robert Kennedy Publishing