Ronnie Dean Coleman, born on May 13, 1964, is an American retired professional bodybuilder widely considered one of the greatest of all time. Known as "The King," he shares the record for the most Mr. Olympia titles (8) with Lee Haney. Coleman won 26 IFBB professional titles and is celebrated for his exceptional combination of size, conditioning, and incredibly heavy workouts, making him arguably the strongest Mr. Olympia ever. Before his bodybuilding career, he graduated cum laude with a BSc in accounting from Grambling State University in 1984 and served as a police officer in Arlington, Texas, from 1989 to 2000, and as a reserve officer until 2003.
Coleman's bodybuilding journey saw him win the Mr. Texas title in 1990 and earn his IFBB pro card in 1992. His first professional win was at the 1995 Canada Pro Cup. He then dominated the sport, winning eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles and a total of 26 IFBB professional titles. In retirement, Coleman launched his wellness and nutrition line, Ronnie Coleman Nutrition, in 2011. In recent years, Coleman has faced health challenges, including multiple back surgeries, leading to mobility issues. As of July 2025, he was hospitalized due to a bloodstream infection but showed encouraging signs of progress. Despite these challenges, Coleman remains committed to regaining his ability to walk unaided and continues to be an inspirational figure in the bodybuilding community. He was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and received the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
