Juliette Bergmann Inducted Into IFBB Hall of Fame

The ultimate late bloomer in bodybuilding, Juliette Bergmann actually had two careers in the IFBB. In the Ms. Olympia, between 1985 and 1988, her best showing was sixth in ‘86, and between 2001 and 2003, she stunningly came out of retirement to win the lightweight and overall in ‘01, followed by lightweight victories in 2002 and 2003. Her 2001 triumph at age 42, backed up by her having one of the most symmetrical female physiques of all time, more than secured her Hall of Fame status.

Born the last day of November in 1958 in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands, to an Indonesian father and a Dutch mother, Bergmann learned early about the pain of loss - an older brother died when she was four, and a younger brother when she was 12. She found it necessary to grow up faster than usual by helping care for her younger siblings. Her studies were in journalism, financial management and fitness training. In 1975, she began a decade-long marriage to Jan Meijer, which explains the early references to her last name as "Meyer".

At age 23, Bergmann felt the need to drop some bodyweight and, impressed with how some women looked at a contest, began to bodybuild. She competed twice, winning both shows. In 1984 and 1985, she won the Dutch National Championships, which earned her a spot at the European Championships in Madrid, Spain. There, she won the lightweight division.

Read The Full Story Here:
IFBB Pro Female Bodybuilder Juliette Bergman

See the Specials of the Week at Bodybuilding.com!