Chris Dickerson -- the first Black Mr. America and first openly gay man to be Mr. Olympia -- died after a reported heart ailment. He was 82 years old.
Dickerson's friend, Bill Neylon, told the Washington Post Chris had died at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL on December 23 ... after struggling with complications to his heart.
Neylon added Chris had been staying in a rehabilitation center in Florida prior to his death.
Dickerson -- who stood just 5'6" inches tall -- was a pioneer in his industry .