Last Updated on February 21, 2024
Who is Ronnie Coleman?
Something is mesmerizing about a professional bodybuilding contest; Watching the peak of human strength strut on stage and flex muscles large enough to crush a soft drink can. There have been several impressive performances in the professional bodybuilding world over the years. One name constantly on the tongues of enthusiasts is Ronnie Coleman, popularly known as the King.
Coleman is tied with Lee Haney for the most Mr. Olympia wins of all time. Even more impressive is that all his wins were consecutive, from 1998 to 2005. Coleman has inspired many with his dedication to the craft.
He has released three videos throughout his career, including “The Unbelievable,” “The Cost of Redemption,” and “On the Road.” These videos are targeted at seasoned professionals in the bodybuilding world, and Coleman goes on to share his experiences and warn against overexertion and improper form.
During the advent of viral videos, Coleman managed to gain a different type of notoriety. His uncharacteristic high-pitched voice coupled with how he preferred to motivate himself during training made for some genuinely funny content. Popular phrases of his include, “Yeah, buddy!” “Lightweight, baby!” and “Nothing but a Peanut.”
Coleman was a legend in the space. Unfortunately, due to the nature of his work and the strain on his body, his state gradually deteriorated over time. This caused him to undergo a few major surgeries that didn’t go as planned. Coleman can no longer walk unassisted and may never be able to walk again.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Ronnie Dean Coleman |
Popular Name: | The King |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | May 13, 1964 |
Age: | 58 years |
Parents: | N/A |
Siblings: | N/A |
Birth Place: | Monroe, Louisiana |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | African-American |
Education: | Grambling State University |
Marital Status: | Married |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Susan Williamson |
Children: | Jamilleah Coleman, Valencia Daniel Coleman |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | $2 Million |
Source of Wealth: | Professional Bodybuilding, Powerlifting, Branding. |
Height: | 1.80m (5ft11) |
Weight: | 143kg (315 lbs) |
Early Life and Career Information
The legend that we know today, heralded as “The King” of bodybuilding, didn’t exactly start that way. Ronnie Coleman was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. He studied and graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting at Grambling State University. The job market wasn’t exactly in the best state back then, and Coleman could not find a job in his field after graduating.
He was forced to work at a Domino’s Pizza to make ends meet. He had so little that he was forced to eat the pizza left at the end of the working day.
After that, Coleman worked as an active-duty officer in Arlington, Texas, which was a significant step up. He did great things while on the force, serving as an active officer from 1989 to 2000 before being relegated to a reserve position until 2003.
During his time on the force, a fellow officer introduced Coleman to the Metro flex gym owned by the bodybuilder, Bryan Dobson. Dobson saw potential in Coleman and offered him a lifetime free membership if Coleman would consent to be trained for the next Mr. Texas, a prestigious bodybuilding competition.
Coleman went on to win both the Heavyweight and the Over All categories, beating Dobson in the process. That was just the first step. Coleman was still an amateur at the time and didn’t win his first competition as a professional until the Canada Cup in 1995.
Coleman’s rise through the bodybuilding scene didn’t happen overnight. His first few appearances at Mr. Olympia met decent success. But with hard work and determination, showing significant improvement as the years went on, he managed to bag his first victory in 1998. Coleman edged out Kenneth Wheeler, who was favored to win that year and went on to win seven more times, tieing him for the most wins and consecutive wins of all time alongside Lee Haney.
Coleman was dedicated to bodybuilding, participating in every competition he could find as the years went by. He also participated in powerlifting competitions and bagged himself an impressive 26 titles as an IFBB professional.
The King’s physical state began to deteriorate due to the amount of strain he was putting his body through, leading to hip and spine problems. Coleman tried to rectify the problem with surgeries, maintaining a lighter training diet while hoping for the best. The surgeries didn’t make things better, leaving King partly paralyzed and unable to walk.
When asked in an interview, Coleman expressed that he did not regret his time as a bodybuilder. The only regret he has is that he couldn’t do it longer and build a better legacy for himself.
Ronnie Coleman’s Net Worth
Ronnie Coleman stacked up an impressive 26 titles as An IFBB professional. He participated in a myriad of bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions throughout his career, winning Mr. Olympia 8 consecutive times and earning himself the title of “The King.”
Coleman has been dedicated to his craft over the years and has invested in helping others on their bodybuilding journey. Coleman traveled the world during his career, participating in many endorsement deals and investing in different gyms before eventually starting “The Ronnie Coleman Signature Series,” a company that provides sports nutrition and wellness products for bodybuilders.
All his assets and achievements contribute to his net worth of $2 Million.
Lessons from the Life of Ronnie Coleman
Always Have a Contingency Plan
“I quit working at the police force full time only after I won my third Mr. Olympia.” ~Ronnie Coleman
Chasing your dreams is a big part of life. Life isn’t worth living if you aren’t doing what makes you happy. But it is essential to think ahead when making decisions. Always have a failsafe in place in the eventuality that a project falls through. It doesn’t mean that you don’t have faith in your abilities. It just means that you understand how unpredictable life can be.
Always Try to Better Yourself
“The more I have to do, the better off I am.” ~Ronnie Coleman
Coleman was determined to be the best, regardless of what he was doing. As such, he was invested in many different things to improve his physical and mental conditions. Never stop trying to learn something new, no matter how much you feel you already know. Because we can always do and be better.
Pile on achievements that will benefit you when the time comes, and never lose faith in yourself.