Bela Karolyi and his wife Martha defected to the U.S. in 1981, and over the next 30-plus years, became a guiding force in American gymnastics, though not without controversy.

Bela Karolyi has died at age 82. The Romanian-born gymnastics coach, along with his wife Martha Karolyi, garnered international recognition for his role in turning Team USA women's gymnastics into the gold medal machine it is today.

Former American and Romanian gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi died on Friday at age 82, according to USA Gymnastics. Karolyi and his wife, Martha