Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024

juliette-bergmannJuliette Maria Suzanna Bergmann (born November 30, 1958) is a champion Dutch female bodybuilder, the 2001 Ms. Olympia.

Early years

Bergmann was born in Vlaardingen, Netherlands, from a Dutch mother and an Indonesian father. During her childhood she lost two brothers, causing much grief to her mother, who laid a larger responsibility on Juliette, the oldest child. That period in her life, she believes, made her a disciplined and responsible person.

After finishing school she went on to study financial management, journalism and fitness training. She got married (married name – Meijer) in 1975, but divorced in 1985.

Bodybuilding career

She began training to lose weight in 1981, but didn’t become a bodybuilder until 1983, after attending a female bodybuilding contest where she got a very good impression of the competitors. By the end of that year she would enter her first competition, where she placed first.

In 1984 she won the Dutch National Championship and repeated as champion in 1985. Later that same year she qualified for the World Amateur Championship, where she achieved first place. By the end of 1985 she competed in her first Ms. Olympia, but did poorly with a 14th placing. However, she achieved significant success in 1986 by winning the Pro World Championship, placing second (by one point) in the Ms. International, and sixth in the Ms. Olympia. After 1989 she planned to take a year off from competition and compete again in 1991, but her plans were derailed when she suffered a badly broken ankle. She was not able to train seriously again for a couple of years.

In 2001, Bergmann returned to competition after a twelve year absence, during which she worked as an IFBB judge. Entering the Ms. Olympia contest, she took first place in the lightweight class, and also won the overall title. She repeated as the Ms. Olympia lightweight class winner in 2002 and 2003, losing the overall title to Lenda Murray both years.

Juliette has a daughter, Roxanne. She also has a sister, Leona, who has competed as a bodybuilder.

Contest history

* 1982 Ms. Randstad – 1st (LW)
* 1982 Twentse Open Championship – 1st (LW)
* 1983 Ms. Elegance – 2nd
* 1983 Dutch Grand Prix – 3rd
* 1983 Davina Challenge Cup – 3rd
* 1983 Gold Cup – 2nd
* 1983 Dutch Championships – 3rd
* 1984 Dutch Grand Prix – 2nd
* 1984 IFBB European Championships – 7th (LW)
* 1984 Dutch Championships – 1st (LW & Overall)
* 1985 Dutch Championships – 1st (LW & Overall)
* 1985 IFBB European Championships – 1st (LW)
* 1985 IFBB World Amateur Championships – 1st (LW)
* 1985 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 15th
* 1986 IFBB Pro World Championship – 1st
* 1986 IFBB Pro World Championship mixed pairs (with Tony Pearson) – 1st
* 1986 Ms. International – 2nd
* 1986 Los Angeles Pro Championship – 2nd
* 1986 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 6th
* 1986 IFBB Pro World Championship – 7th
* 1986 IFBB Pro World Mixed Pairs – 2nd
* 1987 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 9th
* 1988 IFBB Pro World Championship – Disqualified
* 1988 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 13th
* 1989 IFBB Pro World Championship – 15th
* 2001 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 1st (LW & Overall)
* 2002 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 1st (LW)
* 2003 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 1st (LW)