Phillip Mills Instructions To Father Les Regarding Family Business

Fitness industry pioneer Les Mills has been directed by his son, Phillip Mills, to leave the bulk of his estate and the remaining stake in their global fitness empire to Phillip’s sister, according to newly released documents reported by the NZ Herald on September 19, 2026.

Estate Instructions and Family Dynamics

The newly revealed instructions outline a clear directive regarding the legacy of the prominent fitness dynasty. Phillip Mills instructed his father to leave everything to his sister, ensuring she inherits the primary shares and control over the remaining stake in the global fitness business bearing the family name, as detailed by the NZ Herald.

Les Mills, a former Olympian and former mayor of Auckland, established the fitness chain that eventually grew into an international enterprise. The latest documents provide a rare window into the internal arrangements governing the family’s extensive business holdings and estate planning.

Global Fitness Empire Context

The Les Mills brand operates fitness clubs and group fitness licensing programs across multiple continents, making it one of New Zealand’s most successful international business exports. The transition and structuring of shares within the family enterprise have drawn considerable public interest due to the founders’ prominent status in both athletics and local government.

According to the NZ Herald reporting, the instructions specifically target the bulk of the fitness founder’s estate, prioritizing the daughter’s inheritance of the core assets. Further details regarding the precise valuation of the remaining stake or the exact execution timeline of the instructions remain private outside of the released filing details.