Ronnie Coleman has never shied away from a battle. The eight-time Mr Olympia – revered as one of the greatest bodybuilders in history – has endured more than a dozen surgeries, years of pain, and a training regimen that pushed the human body to its absolute limits.
But at 61, “The King” admits he has just faced the toughest fight of his life — and credits his 13-year-old daughter with saving him.
Coleman was rushed to hospital at the end of June after being struck down by a life-threatening sepsis infection. The condition, which the Mayo Clinic states occurs when the body’s response to infection spirals out of control and damages vital organs, left him fighting for survival.
“Man, let me tell you, these past few weeks have been some of the toughest of my life,” Coleman told fans in a heartfelt video posted on Instagram and TikTok on July 15. “Your boy was hit with sepsis, and it nearly killed me. Had it not been for my 13-year-old daughter, it probably would have.”
The Louisiana native didn’t expand on exactly how his daughter intervened, but the message was clear: she was central to his survival. Coleman shares four daughters with his wife, personal trainer Susan Williamson, and has two daughters from a previous marriage. Williamson also has two children from a prior relationship.
Coleman’s family had revealed weeks earlier that he was in hospital “due to a serious medical condition.” In the days that followed, fans around the world feared the worst for a man who once seemed indestructible.
“I’ve been faced with battles in my life, but nothing like this,” Coleman admitted. “I’m still here because the grace of God still wants me to be here and the support I get from all of y’all, that all helps out a whole whole lot.”
In a written Instagram statement, he elaborated further: “It’s been a long and scary two weeks battling my complications from sepsis – one of the toughest fights of my life. But I couldn’t have fought so hard without the love and support from all of my fans and especially my wife, Susan. Your prayers, your messages, and your belief in me gave me the strength when I needed it most. It’s thanks to you all that I’m as #RonnieStrong as I am today.”
Remarkably, just five weeks after leaving hospital, Coleman was back in the gym. He shared clips of seated rows and dumbbell shrugs with his 12 million Instagram followers, complete with his trademark catchphrase.
“20 Easy Reps! Feels good to be back in the gym repping that Light Weight Baby,” he wrote.
Days later, he gave fans an honest update on his recovery: “Slowly getting back into training since my Sepsis attack. Yeah Buddy, now when I say Lightweight Baby, you can bet your last dollar that it is lightweight for real. It’s all good though because one day soon I’ll be back to my old self lighting my old weights.”
For a man who has often relied on a wheelchair or walking stick in recent years due to multiple spinal surgeries, simply being able to move freely again represents victory. Supporters flooded his comment sections with messages of admiration: “You sir are an absolute inspiration,” wrote one. Another added: “Once Mr Olympia, always Mr Olympia in my eyes.”
True to form, Coleman has already shifted his ordeal into a campaign to help others. Through his Ronnie Strong initiative, he has pledged support to the Sepsis Alliance, donating proceeds and raising awareness of a condition that kills hundreds of thousands of people worldwide each year.
“Most people don’t even know what sepsis is. I didn’t either… until it almost took me away from my family,” Coleman wrote. “If sharing my story can help save even one life, then it’s all worth it. Stay strong, stay informed and thank you for always lifting me up.”
He added: “This movement means everything to me – it’s about survival, strength, and showing the world what we can overcome together.”
Coleman retired from competitive bodybuilding in 2007, but his legend has never faded. He remains tied with Lee Haney for the most Mr Olympia titles (eight) and holds 26 IFBB victories. Known worldwide for his monstrous lifts and signature shouts of “Lightweight, baby!” and “Yeah Buddy!”, his reputation as “The King” of bodybuilding endures.
But his latest battle — fought not on the stage but in a hospital bed — may define him just as powerfully as his trophies ever did.
“I’m going to let God use me as he has done my whole entire life because not once did I ask to be here and not once am I gonna ask to leave him,” Coleman said. “God brought me here and God is gonna have me to leave him when it’s time for me to go.”
From near-fatal illness to pumping iron again in a matter of weeks, Ronnie Coleman’s resilience remains unmatched – and his raising awareness of sepsis is more important than any barbell he’s ever raised.
Featured image credit: Instagram/RonnieColeman8
