Oldest Female Bodybuilder, 77-Year-Old Edith Connor, Breaks Guinness World Record

By Ceylan Yeginsu | May 29 2012 4:33 PM

Edith Wilma Connor, 77, has earned the title of the World's Oldest Female Bodybuilder and continues to pump iron to this day.

Guinness World Record

Edith Wilma Connor, 77, has earned the title of the “World’s Oldest Female Bodybuilder” as she continues to pump iron and stay in great shape.

Sponsorship Link

Connor only recently began bodybuilding at a competitive level. In her 60s, she entered the Grand Masters in Las Vegas and won first place, Reuters reported.

It was something I could do by myself, for myself, Connor told Reuters. It was a tension releaser. I sit at a computer all day, so it was one way for me to take it out on the weights instead of the employees.

Once Connor won her first competition she became hooked on weights and went on to become a personal trainer specializing in the mature body.

The 77-year-old also enjoys working out with her grandchildren, with whom she takes step aerobics classes. At my age, I still like to move. I'm not the sedentary type, she said. [Bodybuilding] gave me a good way out. Something I can enjoy, something I can pass on. And I am passing it on, she said.

Connor's youngest son was her first trainer, and after launching her bodybuilding career, she has been working with her elder son and granddaughter. In total, she has three sons, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Connor explained that winning the Guinness World Record title made her day. It's a lot of fun and I relish the attention [my] unusual hobby-age combination attracts.

She is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, but says she will be back. I started doing weights again in April. I'm still sticking with my bodybuilding, although right now I feel I won't do any competitions this year.

Meanwhile, a 93-year-old from White Plains, Tao Porchon-Lynch, took the title of World's Oldest Living Yoga Teacher.

Lynch teaches some 400 students, according to People Magazine. I believe that we can always reach just a little bit further, she said in a Guinness press release. I'm inspired to bring yoga into others' lives along with helping people unearth new talents.

Although Lynch has been interested in Yoga as a child, she only took it on seriously when she turned 73, which she did before becoming a teacher of the discipline.