Shelley Beattie
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Shelley Beattie -
1968-2008 by Hans
The
world of women’s bodybuilding is mourning the loss of Shelley Beattie,
one
of the top female pros of the 1990s. Shelley died on February 16, 2008,
in
Salem, Oregon. She was just 39 years-old.
Shelley,
who was partially deaf, was probably best known as “Siren” on American
Gladiators in the 1990s. An amazing athlete, she started lifting
weights as a
14 year-old in Oregon. She won the heavyweight and overall at the USA
in 1990
at the age of 23 and competed as a pro for the next three years,
placing third
at the Ms. O in 1992. At 5-foot-7 and around 145 pounds onstage, she
possessed
what was probably one of the most perfect structures ever seen in the
sport.
John Romano, Shelley’s ex-husband, says she embodied “the last of the
Cory
era”. Shelley was also known for her spectacular posing routines, even
though
she had difficulty hearing her posing music.
Shelley
appeared on American Gladiators for three seasons between 1992 and
1996, beginning while she was still competing as a pro. Shelley was an
inspiration for a whole generation of girls who saw her on TV, including
some
of today’s top female bodybuilders, not to mention a great role model
for deaf
people everywhere. In 1995 Shelley was also a member of America 3, the
first
ever all-female America’s Cup team.
At
the time of her death - ironically, just as American
Gladiators was
back on TV - Shelley was living in Salem, Oregon, with her partner,
Julie
Moisa. She had been ill for several months.
Shelley
was, in the words of John Romano, “a magnificent human being with an
innocent childlike quality that everyone loved.”
Last updated: February 25, 2008
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