Brazil’s ‘Popeye’ Arlindo de Souza Dies at 55 in Recife

Overview

• De Souza died in the early hours of January 13 at Hospital Otávio de Freitas after a December hospitalization, according to relatives.
• Family members report kidney failure that progressed around Christmas with fluid in the lungs and a cardiorespiratory arrest before dialysis began, while no official cause has been released.
• Known nationally for inflating his arms with mineral‑oil injections and past anabolic use, he gained TV notoriety with biceps said to measure 73 centimeters.
• Specialists warn that intramuscular mineral‑oil use can lead to infections, tissue necrosis, embolic events and amputations, and endocrine groups caution against unsupervised anabolic steroids.
• Coverage in outlets including The US Sun, TMZ and the Daily Mail followed Brazilian reports, and he was buried locally in Águas Compridas in Olinda.