Bodybuilder Marianne von Gierke dies two weeks after Mr Olympia

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 22:20 · Archive

Chilean bodybuilder Marianne von Gierke, 40, has died two weeks after competing in Mr Olympia's women's physique category.

Marianne von Gierke, 40, died two weeks after competing in the women's physique division of Mr Olympia in Las Vegas, where she placed 13th. It was her second time competing in the event, having come 16th in 2024. Chile's bodybuilding federation announced her death on Wednesday without specifying the cause.

Von Gierke had turned professional in 2021 and also worked as a trainer. In the months before her death, she was experiencing one of the most successful seasons of her career. In August, she won first place in the Women's Physique Division at the 2026 Rising Phoenix Women's bodybuilding competition in Phoenix, Arizona. She recently thanked her boyfriend of ten years, Juan Cofré García, for his support during her demanding season, posting on social media that he was 'with me 365 days a year, not only when things go well, but also through every difficult stage'.

Von Gierke is survived by her 11-year-old son Luciano and her partner. The Daily Mail reports that premature deaths among bodybuilders are not uncommon and are often attributed to the extreme conditions necessary when preparing for competition.

How it is being reported

• Female bodybuilder, 40, mysteriously dies weeks after competing in Mr. OlympiaMarianne von Gierke, 40, passed away two weeks after competing in the female division of Mr. Olympia, a bodybuilding competition held in Las Vegas, Nevada.Daily Mail · 15 Oct, 22:07
• Bodybuilding mom dead weeks after competing in Mr OlympiaA bodybuilder mom who competed in the female division of this year's Mr. Olympia has died at the age of 40 -- just days after thanking her boyfriend for his support in a now-heartbreaking social media post as she celebrated the end of the season.New York Post · 15 Oct, 14:46

In this story: Marianne von Gierke · Juan Cofré García · Chile · Mr Olympia · Las Vegas

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