Abbye Stockton "Pudgy"

Abbye "Pudgy" Stockton (August 11, 1917 in Santa Monica, California – June 26, 2006) was a professional strongwoman and forerunner of present day female bodybuilders, who became famous through her involvement with Muscle Beach in the 1940s.

Abbye “Pudgy” Evile Stockton was not only a tremendous influence on women’s weightlifting and exercise, but she also was just as influential in the men’s realm of physical culture. She was seen as very sexy, beautiful, athletically built, feminine, and unique. Pudgy was something different from what was considered the “normal woman weight lifter”. Most women involved in weightlifting looked nonfeminine. She was something new and her feminine yet muscle bound physique stood out to everyone.

Abbye Eville was born on August 11, 1917, and moved to Santa Monica, California in 1924. She acquired the nickname "Pudgy" as a child, and the name stuck, even though she weighed approximately 115 pounds at a height of 5'2". She began dating UCLA student Les Stockton during her senior year of high school; they were married in 1941.