"Miss Olympia" became a victim of steroids (10 photos)

Once SHE was one of the most successful and charming female bodybuilders in the world and bore the nickname "Golden Panther". But, having lost herself, she sank to the very bottom, becoming unrecognizable.







With her platinum hair and powerful muscles, Denise Rutkowski was a symbol of female bodybuilding in the 1990s.



It seemed that the whole world was at her feet when, in 1993, she placed second in the Ms. Olympia contest, earning 20,000 prize dollars. At the same time, Denise received the nickname "Golden Panther" because of his flamboyant hairstyle and acrobatic dance routines. AT next year she was predicted to become the owner of a prestigious award - but she disappeared without warning.

Shocking friends and fans, Denise announced her departure from bodybuilding, stating that she rediscovered Christianity and wants to devote himself to religion.



She went to bible college and practically disappeared for many years. from public life. Only in 2012, almost two decades after after the "Golden Panther" reached the pinnacle of its glory, the new Denise's photo showed off her shocking transformation. Then she was arrested and a photograph of her taken by the police was a tragic contrast to her glamorous '90s look. Long light hair disappeared, replaced by a short thinning chestnut haircut. Most terrible, - she grew a thin beard and the same mustache. Seems to be for her steroids did not come for nothing ...

A year later, Denise was arrested again, reportedly for evading arrest.



Denise Lynn Rutkowski was born in 1962 and spent her early years in Reading, Pennsylvania. In an interview in 1992, she said that started gymnastics at the age of seven, later running, performed in the school swim team and in the cheerleading team. After teaching aerobics, she took up bodybuilding. in some moment she moved to Texas, and in 1989 ended up in San Diego, State California. She lived in the Mission Beach area when she trained at the legendary Gold's Gym Pacific Beach. In 1991, her career went up. It happened after winning the Orange County Muscle Championship. Classic and the California State Championship. She then moved to Los Angeles, where she trained at Gold's Gym on Venice Beach, nicknamed "Mecca of bodybuilding" and became famous thanks to such stars as Arnold Schwarzenegger.



In Los Angeles, Denise quickly became a superstar in the world of women's bodybuilding. With her movie star looks and wonderful physique she soon graced dozens of magazine covers and spreads. She is received the nickname "Golden Panther" because of the grace in dancing, golden hair and the sparkling gold bathing suit she wore during competitions.



Her most successful year was 1993, when she won first prize at US NPC and IFBB Jan Tana Classic championships. She also took second place in the Miss Olympia competition.

Denise was known not only for her looks and talent, but also for her heart of gold. In 1993, she spent her free time with children from low-income families from Venice, went with them to bodybuilding shows, in Disneyland and other events.



Suddenly, at the height of her fame, Denise disappeared. It turned out that she took decision to leave bodybuilding and enroll in the International Bible Institute Calvary Cathedral College in Fort Worth, Texas. In two years it was revealed that she traveled the country spreading the word of God at various religious events. Except for a brief moment return to bodybuilding in 2001, Denise never discussed his former life.



After two years of absence, it turned out that she traveled around the country, spreading the word of God at various religious events. Per except for a brief return to bodybuilding in 2001, Denise more never discussed her former life.

Soon after, it became clearb that she traveled the country with with his dog, leading a semi-homeless lifestyle. In 2019, however, an unnamed fan who maintains Denise's unofficial fan page social media, said that he had spoken to her family and that now her business is going much better.



“Deniz is now working again in one of the government agencies Fort Worth,” her family wrote. - But she still doesn't want to have nothing to do with my bodybuilding background."