Johnnie Lee Macfadden, daughter of early health and fitness expert, Bernarr Macfadden, is shown in this vintage home exercise film.

OBITUARY J. L. Macfadden, 88, An Expert on Fitness

Johnnie Lee Macfadden, an author and physical-fitness advocate, died April 6 at her home in Manhattan. She was 88 years old. She died after a lengthy illness, her family said.

A native of Fort Worth, Mrs. Macfadden had a first career as an interior designer. In 1948, she became the third wife of Bernarr Macfadden, the physical culturist and publisher who died in 1955 at the age of 87. She was a regular monthly contributor to her husband’s publications, “Physical Culture” and “Health Review,” lectured on fitness, appeared on television talk shows, developed her own line of creams and lotions, and maintained a counseling service on mental and physical health in her apartment until the time of her death.

She was the author of “Barefoot in Eden: The Macfadden Plan for Health, Charm and Long-Lasting Youth,” published by Prentice Hall in 1962. Mrs. Macfadden is survived by a son, Jack of Brooklyn; a daughter, Carol Tumbridge of Denver; five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Source: The New York Times – 4/29/1992