A successful bodybuilder and mother whose star was on the rise has died two weeks after participating in a major competition.
A statement from NPC Chile’s Felipe Fierro Classic on Wednesday, October 14, confirmed Marianne von Gierke, 40, has died.
“We will remember her for her dedication and discipline, and for taking her talent all the way to the Mr. Olympia stage — leaving a lasting legacy in her category and inspiring all those who shared this passion with her,” the statement, translated from Spanish, read.
“Her hard work, her journey, and all she achieved will remain in the memories of our sports community. 🕊️,” the statement added.
According to The U.S. Sun, Von Gierke is survived by an 11-year-old son.
Her death comes two weeks after she competed in the Mr. Olympia women’s physique category for the second time in her career, per the publication. She reportedly finished in 13th place after having come in 16th in 2024.
As per a report on Fitness Volt, Von Gierke was known in the competition world and had made consistent improvement in recent years, winning the prestigious Rising Phoenix Pro crown, and coming sixth place at the Texas Pro in her first competition in 2026 before competing in Mr. Olympia.
Von Gierke, who became a pro bodybuilder in 2021, was active on social media in the days before her death.
In an Instagram post shared earlier this week, she paid tribute to her longtime boyfriend, Juan Cofré García, writing (as translated to English), “The person who is by my side 365 days a year — not just when things go well, but also through every difficult stage of preparation.”
Alongside photos of them together, Von Gierke wrote: “Thank you for believing in me, even when the road gets tough. For understanding this passion, living it with me, and feeling the thrill of every challenge as if it were your own.”
“Thank you for walking by my side, sharing my dreams, and playing a fundamental role in every achievement ❤️🏆 ,” she added.
Garcia replied to the post and said that he was “incredibly proud” of her achievements.
He added: “I truly take my hat off to you; you have no idea how proud your achievements make me — I often wonder how you manage it all. And as I’ve always told you, what’s the point of life if you don’t try to make your dreams a reality?”
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