Rhonda Lee Quaresma has died after a three-year battle with colon cancer.
Former IFBB professional bodybuilder Rhonda Lee Quaresma has passed away at the age of 52. The Women’s Physique competitor was battling colon cancer for three years.
The news was announced on Saturday as a close friend shared a post on Quaresma’s personal Instagram page.
“My dearest friend of 30 years died last evening after a 3 year battle with colon cancer.
She spent the last few years living in California and simply loved it, but she was as Canadian as they
come. Her father was Native Canadian and her mother’s side lived in Canada for generations.
She was half Ojibway and half English. The exterior of Rhonda was always shiny and I don’t think she would object to the word flamboyant, but the inside was soft, gentle, kind and intuitive. She touched so many people with her kindness and she had this intrinsic ability to see people, really see them and she took the time to understand them. It made for a great friend.One that I am blessed to have had for so
many years.RIP my sweet soul.?
@liz.easton19”
Rhonda Lee Quaresma began her bodybuilding career back in 1989. She won first place in her first competition during the 1989 Kingston Open in the lightweight division. She earned her pro card after winning the 1995 Miss Canada competition in the Canadian Nationals at Level 4. This allowed Quaresma to make her IFBB debut, which came in 1998.
Quaresma finished 13th in her IFBB debut during the 1998 Jan Tana Classic. She would go onto compete in four other shows throughout her career. Her final appearance cane during the 2016 Ferrigno Legacy. Following this competition, Quaresma announced her retirement from bodybuilding but did not leave the lifestyle.
After her retirement, Quaresma continued to work as a personal trainer. She gained a passion for fitness and bodybuilding early in life and it is something she continued following her retirement. Quaresma lived in Los Angeles where she was certified by the Professional Personal Trainer’s Association.
Rhonda Lee Quaresma retired from bodybuilding to focus on her health. She opened up publicly about her battle with colon cancer in 2020 on her YouTube page.
Quaresma continued to be an inspiration in bodybuilding following her retirement. The entire Generation Iron staff sends condolences to friends and family of Rhonda Lee Quaresma during this tragic time.