Marianne von Gierke cause of death: Bodybuilder and mother dies at 40 just weeks after Mr. Olympia and hours after posting on social media; here's what we know
Marianne von Gierke, a professional bodybuilder from Chile, passed away recently at the age of 40. She had just competed in the 2026 Mr. Olympia, finishing 13th in her category. Her death follows an impressive season that included winning the Risi...
By Muskan Singh, Global Desk | Updated:
Marianne von Gierke cause of death: Bodybuilder and mother dies at 40 just weeks after Mr. Olympia and hours after posting on social media; here's what we know
Marianne von Gierke has died at 40, less than three weeks after competing at the 2026 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas. The professional athlete finished 13th in the Women’s Physique division. The Chilean bodybuilder's death was announced on October 14 by NPC Worldwide Chile and fellow Chilean bodybuilder Felipe Isaac Fierro, according to Generation Iron.
Von Gierke was also a mother to an 11-year-old son. Her passing has led to tributes from the bodybuilding community, with many remembering her career and achievements.
No official cause of death had been made public as of now. Her death came just weeks after her appearance at the sport’s biggest competition, where she placed 13th in the Women’s Physique category, as per a report by the New York Post.
It was her second appearance at Mr. Olympia. She finished 16th in 2024 before returning to the competition this year.
Von Gierke turned professional in 2021 and also worked as a trainer. Her recent season included a major achievement, as she claimed the Rising Phoenix World Championship title.
In a recent post, she also thanked her boyfriend of 10 years, Juan Cofré García, for standing by her through a demanding bodybuilding season.
“He is with me 365 days a year, not only when things go well, but also through every difficult stage of a preparation,” she wrote.
She described him as “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.”
García responded by saying he was “extremely proud” of her accomplishments and that she would “always have [his] support.”
“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,” he wrote.
Her death leaves her family, including her young son, and the bodybuilding community mourning a competitor whose latest season had brought another major milestone.
Von Gierke was also a mother to an 11-year-old son. Her passing has led to tributes from the bodybuilding community, with many remembering her career and achievements.
Marianne von Gierke cause of death
Von Gierke died on Wednesday, October 14, according to announcements shared by the bodybuilding community. NPC Worldwide Chile and Fierro confirmed the news in a joint social media statement. RXMuscle also paid tribute to the athlete.No official cause of death had been made public as of now. Her death came just weeks after her appearance at the sport’s biggest competition, where she placed 13th in the Women’s Physique category, as per a report by the New York Post.
It was her second appearance at Mr. Olympia. She finished 16th in 2024 before returning to the competition this year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Von Gierke turned professional in 2021 and also worked as a trainer. Her recent season included a major achievement, as she claimed the Rising Phoenix World Championship title.
What was Marianne von Gierke’s last social media activity?
Marianne Von Gierke remained active on social media shortly before her death. Her final post came hours earlier and congratulated a friend on a physique transformation.In a recent post, she also thanked her boyfriend of 10 years, Juan Cofré García, for standing by her through a demanding bodybuilding season.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He is with me 365 days a year, not only when things go well, but also through every difficult stage of a preparation,” she wrote.
She described him as “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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
García responded by saying he was “extremely proud” of her accomplishments and that she would “always have [his] support.”
“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,” he wrote.
Bodybuilding community pays tribute
Chile’s bodybuilding federation remembered von Gierke as an athlete who “left an unforgettable mark on bodybuilding” and created a “legacy in her category.” “Her effort, career and all that she achieved will remain in the memory of our sporting community,” the federation said.Her death leaves her family, including her young son, and the bodybuilding community mourning a competitor whose latest season had brought another major milestone.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
