A 40-year-old professional body builder has passed away after competing in the Mr. Olympia women’s physique category just two weeks before her tragic death
Marianne von Gierke, 40(Image: @mari.gierke.ifbbpro/Newsflash)
A female bodybuilder has tragically lost her life weeks after competing in a body building competition. Marianne von Gierke, 40, passed away on Wednesday (October 14) just two weeks after the pro-bodybuilder competed in the Mr. Olympia women’s physique category.
The professional bodybuilder placed 13th at the event in Chile. The 13th place finish is the second time Gierke has finished at the top of the competition. She previously finished 16th in the category in a competition back in 2024.
Gierke turned pro back in 2021 and was also active on social media as a personal trainer. The woman shared her own fitness transformation with her followers as she encouraged others to pick up bodybuilding on social media.
Gierke’s cause of death is unknown (Image: @mari.gierke.ifbbpro/Newsflash)
This summer Gierke won the Women’s Physique crown at the Rising Phoenix World Championships.
The cause of her death is currently unknown. The bodybuilder leaves a behind an 11-year-old year son and a long term boyfriend.
In a recent post she thanked her boyfriend of 10 years during a difficult bodybuilding season, sharing a picture of the couple to her followers and heartfelt message.
Gierke stated: “He is with me 365 days a year, not only when things go well, but also through every difficult stage of a preparation.”
Her mother added: “The one who lives with me through every process, my good days, my doubts, my frustrations and my goals. The one who holds from the shadows a fundamental part of all they see on stage.
“Thank you for believing in me, even when the road gets tough. To understand this passion, live it with me and vibrate with every challenge as if it were yours too.
She died just weeks after competing in Mr. Olympia(Image: @mari.gierke.ifbbpro/Newsflash)
“Thank you for walking by my side, sharing my dreams and being a fundamental part of every achievement. My season ends. Our path continues.”
Her partner responded to the heartfelt tribute from his Gierke adding he was “extremely proud” of her accomplishments.
He stated: “I really take my hat off for you and you do not know how proud you make me feel with your achievements, many times I do not know how you do it to carry everything.”
Chile’s bodybuilding federation have stated Gierke left an “unforgettable mark on bodybuilding” and had created a “legacy in her category.”
The federation added: “Her effort, career and all that she achieved will remain in the memory of our sporting community.”
