Who Was Marianne von Gierke? Chilean Bodybuilding Champion Dies at 40 Weeks After Mr. Olympia
Professional bodybuilder Marianne von Gierke has died at 40, less than three weeks after placing 13th in the Women’s Physique division at the 2026 Mr. Olympia competition in Las Vegas. Her death was announced by NPC Worldwide Chile and fellow Chilean bodybuilder Felipe Isaac Fierro.
Von Gierke was also a lawyer, fitness trainer and mother to an 11-year-old son. She had a successful 2026 season, winning the Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro in August before returning to bodybuilding’s biggest international stage. Her death has prompted tributes from the bodybuilding community in Chile and abroad.
Who Was Marianne von Gierke?
Von Gierke was a Chilean professional bodybuilder from the Magallanes region in the country’s far south. Alongside her career in law, she competed internationally in the Women’s Physique division and became one of Chile’s representatives on the professional bodybuilding circuit.
She began competing in bodybuilding in 2014 and earned her professional status in the IFBB Pro League in 2021. Her career included international competitions in Canada, Puerto Rico and the United States.
Her Final Mr. Olympia Appearance in September
Von Gierke competed in the 2026 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas, held from Sept. 24-27, and finished 13th in Women’s Physique. It was her second appearance at the event, following a 16th-place finish in 2024.
On Aug. 22, she won the Women’s Physique title at the Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro, securing her place at the Olympia. She also recorded a sixth-place finish at the Texas Pro, according to Clarín’s report on her career.
Medical Emergency Reported Hours Before Her Death
NPC Worldwide Chile and Fierro announced von Gierke’s death on Wednesday, Oct. 14. As of Oct. 15, no official cause of death had been made public.
Chilean outlet La Prensa Austral, as cited by Infobae, reported that her husband took her to Clínica RedSalud Magallanes in Punta Arenas late on Oct. 13. She reportedly arrived in critical condition, and medical staff attempted resuscitation.
Von Gierke had also been active on social media shortly before her death, according to The Economic Times. In a recent post, she credited her longtime partner, Juan Cofré García, with supporting her through the demands of her bodybuilding career.
NPC Worldwide Chile honored von Gierke for her dedication and achievements, saying she had “left an unforgettable mark on bodybuilding.” The organization also praised her for bringing her talent to the Mr. Olympia stage and inspiring others in the sport. As of now, the circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear.
Read more
