Ronnie Coleman was a popular bodybuilder in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
His first major victory came in 1998 when he won the prestigious Mr. Olympia title, a feat he repeated for eight consecutive years until 2005.
Known for his incredible physical strength and massive physique, Coleman became a central figure in the bodybuilding community.
File
- Full Name: Ronald Dean Coleman
- Nickname: Ronnie, King
- Date of birth: May 13, 1964
- Age: 60 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Monroe, Louisiana, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former professional bodybuilder, Former police officer, Businessman
- Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
- Parents: Jessie Benton (mother)
- Siblings: Three siblings, names not given
- Spouse: Susan Williamson (married 2016), previously married to Rouaida Christine Achkar
- Children: Jamilleah Coleman, Valencia Daniel Coleman, Laila Michelle Coleman and Justin Coleman
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Christianity
- Ethnicity: African American
- Net worth: $10 million
Early life and education
Ronnie Coleman, now 60, was born on May 13, 1964, in Monroe, Louisiana. His mother, Jessie Benton, and three siblings raised him in a modest household.
Coleman attended Bastrop High School, where he developed an early interest in sports, especially football. He is of African-American ethnicity and was raised in a Catholic family.
After graduating from high school, Coleman attended Grambling State University, where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1984.
He played college football for the GSU Tigers under Coach Eddie Robinson. This period laid the foundation for his discipline and physical strength, which would later become important in his bodybuilding career.
Personal life
Ronnie Coleman’s personal life has had its ups and downs. He first married French-Lebanese personal trainer Rouaida Christine Achkar in 2007 after meeting her in Paris in 1998.
However, their marriage did not last long, ending in divorce. In 2016, Coleman married Susan Williamson, an American personal trainer.
Together they built a loving and supportive family life in Arlington, Texas. Coleman has four children: Jamilleah, Valencia, Laila, Michelle and Justin.
Despite the challenges of multiple surgeries and health issues, Susan has always been a strong support, helping him overcome difficulties in life after bodybuilding.
Career
Ronnie Coleman began his professional bodybuilding career in 1992, but it wasn’t until 1998 that he won his first Mr. Olympia title.
Coleman’s victory marked the beginning of an era of dominance in bodybuilding as he won the Mr. Olympia title eight consecutive times until 2005.
Known for his incredible strength, Coleman was famous for his powerful squats and deadlifts, often lifting weights that left audiences in awe.
In addition to competing, Coleman also served as a police officer in Arlington, Texas, from 1989 to 2003. This dual career demonstrated his physical abilities and commitment to community service. After retiring from professional bodybuilding in 2007, Coleman struggled with health issues, undergoing multiple surgeries due to injuries sustained from heavy lifting.
Despite these setbacks, he remains actively involved in the fitness community through his business ventures, including the Ronnie Coleman Signature Series, which sells sports nutrition and wellness products.
Prize
- 8 times Mr. Olympia champion (1998-2005)
- 26 IFBB professional titles
- Admiral’s Certificate Award in the Texas Navy 2001
Net worth
Ronnie Coleman’s net worth is estimated at $10 million.
His wealth comes mainly from his successful bodybuilding career, winning numerous titles and endorsement deals.
Argumentative
Ronnie Coleman’s career, while illustrious, was not without controversy. One of the main issues that overshadowed his success was his use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Coleman admitted to using steroids throughout his career, a common practice in bodybuilding to maintain and increase muscle mass and strength.
However, he has always maintained that his steroid use was medically supervised and within the law, denying allegations that he was involved in illegal or unethical activities.
Despite his assertions, the subject of steroid use remains a point of contention among his critics and fans. Steroid use in bodybuilding is a divisive issue, often raising questions about the integrity of the sport and the health risks involved.
Coleman’s openness about steroid use has sparked discussions about the pressures professional bodybuilders face and the efforts they go through to achieve their best physiques.
In addition to the steroid controversy, Coleman’s health issues have also been a subject of public attention.
The many surgeries he underwent, particularly on his back and hips, drew attention to the physical impact that professional bodybuilding can have on athletes.
Some critics have suggested that the rigorous weightlifting regimen that defined Coleman’s career contributed to his long-term health problems.
These surgeries, which often cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, were necessary to address severe damage to his spine and hips, which sometimes left him unable to walk unaided.
Despite these controversies, Coleman’s legacy in the bodybuilding world remains largely positive.
His willingness to speak openly about his steroid use and health issues has shed light on the darker aspects of professional bodybuilding, potentially paving the way for increased awareness and reform in the sport.
Coleman’s story is both an inspiration and a warning about the pinnacle of human physical achievement and its hidden costs.
Social media
- Instagram: @ronniecoleman8
- Twitter: @BigRonColeman
List of movies played
- Ronnie Coleman: First Training Video
- Ronnie Coleman: The Unbelievable (2001)
- Ronnie Coleman: The Price of Redemption (2003)
- Ronnie Coleman: Relentless (2006)
- Ronnie Coleman: Invincible
- Ronnie Coleman: The Ultimate Training Video
- Ronnie Coleman: The King (2018)
Book
- Yeah, Buddy! My Incredible Story (2019)
- Hard Core: The Complete Guide to Weight Training by Ronnie Coleman (2007)
