World's 1st vegetarian body builder Varinder Singh Ghuman dies of heart attack - what led to his death?

Story by ET Now

Varinder Singh Ghuman: Professional bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman has died of cardiac arrest on Thursday, sparking an outpouring of grief. He breathed his last at the age of 41, PTI reported. Ghuman was widely popular as 'Vegetarian Bodybuilder'.

Citing Ghuman's nephew Amanjot Singh Ghuman, PTI reported that the actor was experiencing shoulder pain and had gone to a private hospital in Amritsar for treatment. He also said that the actor suffered a heart attack in the hospital around 5 pm.

Here's everything you need to know about Varinder as fans mourn his demise and offer condolences.

Who was Varinder Singh Ghuman?

Ghuman was born in Gurdaspur, Punjab, and won the Mr. India title in 2009. He later finished runner-up in Mr. Asia and established himself as one of India's biggest names in professional bodybuilding, ToI reported. Arnold Schwarzenegger chose him as a brand ambassador to promote his products in Asia.

World's first vegetarian bodybuilder

His commitment to vegetarianism set him apart. According to ToI, Ghuman was widely recognised as the world's first vegetarian professional bodybuilder, and this achievement became a point of pride for India's fitness community.

Varinder Singh Ghuman's Acting Career: Worked with Salman Khan

Ghuman was not only famous as a vegetarian bodybuilder, but he also earned recognition in his acting career. He made his film debut in 2012 with "Kabaddi Once Again," followed by appearances in "Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans (2014)" and "Marjaavaan (2019). In 2023, he appeared in "Tiger 3" alongside Salman Khan, which brought him further recognition.

Ghuman's dedication to fitness

Behind the scenes, Ghuman was a dedicated fitness enthusiast, regularly sharing workout routines and motivational posts with his followers. His Instagram community of over one million fans reflects the breadth of his influence. For many young fitness enthusiasts, he was not just a bodybuilder, but a mentor who proved that ethical choices and athletic excellence could coexist.

Condolences Pour In

Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called Ghuman the "pride of Punjab" and termed his death as an "irreparable loss for the country".

"Passing away of the pride of Punjab, 'the He-Man of India', Varinder Ghuman ji, is an irreparable loss for the country. He set new standards in the world of fitness with his hard work and vegetarian lifestyle. His life will always be a source of inspiration for the youth," the BJP leader said on X.

Congress MP and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa credited Ghuman with bringing glory to Punjab.

"It is heartbreaking to hear the news of the sudden demise of Punjab's famous bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman. He brought glory to Punjab with his hard work, discipline, and talent. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family to bear this loss," Randhawa said on X.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal too expressed grief and said, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the untimely passing of international bodybuilder Varinder Ghuman. Varinder worked very hard and achieved great heights in his life; he was an inspiration for our youth."

ARTICLE SOURCE: https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/other/world-s-1st-vegetarian-body-builder-varinder-singh-ghuman-dies-of-heart-attack-what-led-to-his-death/ar-AA1OcZ0G

I'd be willing to bet vegan nor carnivore played a primary role.

Remember, the heart is a muscle.

His outwardly appearance suggests he ate more than apples and oranges.

Just saying.

Scott

overdosed on pea protein

On 10/10/2025 at 12:10 PM, Scott F. said:

I'd be willing to bet vegan nor carnivore played a primary role.

Remember, the heart is a muscle.

His outwardly appearance suggests he ate more than apples and oranges.

Just saying.

This is probably spot on. An interesting fact is that professional bodybuilders are 5 times as likely to die of a heart attack. Common reasons include their junk diet (processed foods) and performance enhancing drugs - not to mention that extreme weight training contributes to cardiac overload.

I would suggest his diet played a large role in his heart attack. Years of consuming sugar and creating inflammation in his body and then coupled with the supplements and roids.