| Denise Rutkowski | |
|---|---|
| Bodybuilder | |
| Personal info | |
| Nickname | The Golden Panther, Raven[1] |
| Born | 1962 Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.[2] |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)[2] |
| Weight | 140–155 lb (64–70 kg)[2] |
| Professional career | |
| Pro-debut | |
| Best win | |
| Predecessor | Nikki Fuller[2] |
| Successor | Sue Price[2] |
| Active | Retired 2001[2] |
Denise Lynn Rutkowski is a former American professional female bodybuilder.[2]
Her professional bodybuilding career was brief, and ended shortly after finishing 2nd in the Ms. Olympia contest in 1993. Her sudden retirement shocked the sport, as she was seen as an easy contender for the Ms. Olympia in 1994.[2]
During her bodybuilding career she arrived in San Diego, CA in 1989 from Texas and lived at Mission Beach while training at Gold's Gym Pacific Beach. She lived in San Diego until 1991, when she won the Orange County Muscle Classic and California State Championships, and thereafter moved to Venice, CA to train at Gold's Gym, Venice Beach, California, and had an interest in improving the quality of life for underprivileged children in the neighborhood. She spent time traveling with youth from Venice, California to WWF shows, Disneyland, and sporting events.[2]
In 1994, she went back home to Fort Worth, Texas and she entered Calvary Cathedral International Bible College for two years. By 1996, Rutkowski was going around the country spreading the word of God at various religious revivals. In 2001, Rutkowski started training again, and returned to a better physical condition.[4]
In 1994, she had a brief appearance on the show Dream On, in the episode "Blinded by the Cheese".[5]