McLish, Rachel (1958–)

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McLish, Rachel (1958–)

Hispanic-American bodybuilder. Name variations: Rachael McLish. Born Rachel Livia Elizondo, June 21, 1958, in Harlington, Texas; dau. of Rafael and Rachel Elizondo; m. John McLish, 1989 (div. 1989); m. Ron Samuels (film producer), 1990.

Helped to define the sport of bodybuilding for women, proposing power and strength as ultimate expressions of beauty; competed as bodybuilder for 4 years, winning inaugural US Bodybuilding championships (1980), 1st ever Ms. Olympia (1980, 1982), and Pro World (1982); parlayed fame into career in film and tv, appearing in Getting Physical (1984), Aces: Iron Eagle III (1992), and Raven Hawk (1996); also made successful exercise videos such as Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985) and Rachel McLish: In Shape (1996); wrote several books on bodybuilding and fitness including Perfect Parts (1987); left bodybuilding competition when the use of steroids became a factor, prompting her crusade against steriod use and drug abuse.

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