Female Bodybuilding Star, 40, Dies Weeks After Competing at Mr. Olympia as Questions Surround Her Sudden Death

Chilean professional bodybuilder Marianne von Gierke has died at the age of 40, less than three weeks after stepping onto the stage at the 2026 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas.

Her death was announced on October 14 by NPC Worldwide Chile and fellow competitor Felipe Isaac Fierro. The news stunned the bodybuilding community, particularly because von Gierke had recently enjoyed one of the strongest seasons of her career.

Her cause of death has not been officially disclosed. No confirmed evidence has established that her death was connected to bodybuilding, competition preparation or any particular medical condition.

A Career That Reached New Heights

Von Gierke was one of Chile’s prominent representatives in professional women’s bodybuilding. She competed in the Women’s Physique division, a category that emphasizes muscular development, symmetry and overall conditioning.

Her journey in the sport began in 2014, and she earned her IFBB professional status in 2021. Over the following years, she competed internationally, building a reputation through appearances in Canada, Puerto Rico and the United States.

In 2024, she won the Vancouver Island Pro, securing her first qualification for the prestigious Mr. Olympia. She went on to finish 16th in the Women’s Physique division at that year’s competition.

Her 2026 season brought even greater success. She won the Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro on August 22, earning another opportunity to compete among the world’s elite.

At the 2026 Mr. Olympia, held in Las Vegas in late September, von Gierke finished 13th in the Women’s Physique category, improving on her previous Olympia result.

Tributes Pour In After Her Death

NPC Worldwide Chile paid tribute to von Gierke, remembering her dedication, discipline and contribution to the sport.

The organization said her achievements, including reaching the Mr. Olympia stage, would remain part of the bodybuilding community’s memory. Fellow athletes and supporters also shared messages of condolence.

Away from competition, von Gierke had another professional career: she was a qualified lawyer. She was also a mother to an 11-year-old son and had been with her partner, Juan Cofré García, for around 10 years.

Just days before her death, she had publicly expressed gratitude for her partner’s support throughout the demanding process of pursuing professional bodybuilding.

An Unanswered Question

The circumstances of von Gierke’s death remain unclear, and no official cause has been announced publicly.

Her passing at 40, so soon after competing at one of the sport’s biggest events, has left fans and fellow athletes searching for answers. However, without confirmed medical findings, speculation about what happened would be premature.

For those who followed her career, von Gierke will be remembered not only for her achievements on the international stage, but also for representing Chile in a demanding sport and inspiring others through her commitment.

She leaves behind her young son, her partner, family members, friends and a bodybuilding community mourning a competitor whose career had reached a remarkable milestone.

Source:  Dailymail