Former Ms. Olympia and WWE Veteran Melissa Coates Passes Away at Age 50

The bodybuilding community is in a state of mourning currently, as it has been revealed that Melissa Coates has passed away. She was 50 years old at the time of her passing.

Coates was not just a veteran in the bodybuilding world, competing at the Ms. Olympia, but she was also a familiar face on the pro wrestling scene. She had worked with the WWE, competing under the stage name of Super Genie.

News of her passing broke earlier this week, with fans in utter shock at the heartbreaking announcement. At the time of writing, there has been no reason revealed as to the cause of her untimely passing.

That being said, Coates has had some well-documented health issues that may or may not have contributed to her passing. Late last year, it was revealed that she had been forced to get a partial amputation on her left leg.

In October, she was admitted to University Medical Center Las Vegas due to increasing leg pain, where it was discovered that she had blood clots blocking the arteries in her leg. Despite the doctors trying a few different procedures to fix the issue, the decision was ultimately made to remove the leg, above the knee.

Again, it is not clear at this time if the same issues that led to her amputation resulted in the passing of Melissa Coates. However it was made clear at the time that things were still serious, with her being out of work for several months to deal with the health issues.

The Career Of Melissa Coates

In terms of a bodybuilding career, Melissa Coates did not spend much time in the sport. However, she was fairly successful in her short time competing, making it to two Ms. Olympia contests, and scoring as high as 9th in 1996.

Below are her bodybuilding accomplishments of note:

• 1991 Windsor Physique – 1st (LW)
• 1992 Eastern Ontario – 1st (MW)
• 1993 Ontario – 1st (MW)
• 1994 Canadian Championships – 1st (MW)
• 1996 Jan Tana Classic – 1st (Overall)
• 1996 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 9th
• 1997 IFBB Ms. International – 6th
• 1997 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 11th
• 1999 IFBB Ms. International – 13th

In the world of pro wrestling, Coates spent significantly more time. She bounced around various promotions, working as an independent wrestler for some time, as well as having a stint with the WWE.

Much of her time was spent in the Ohio Valley Wrestling circuits, where she made a name facing Divas like Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, and Melina Perez. At one point, she was even ranked 41 in the list of top 50 female singles wrestlers, according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

Community Reacts

With Melissa Coates being heavily involved in both the bodybuilding and pro wrestling community, it is natural that many would mourn her passing. Several pro wrestlers took to social media to share their mourning over her untimely death.

Rest In Peace Melissa Coates🙏🏽 🇨🇦
#canada #bodybuilder #wrestling

I want to send my prayers and condolences to the family of @melissalcoates who passed away from unknown causes at the age of 50 I saw Melissa pose back in the 90s at the NPC Muscle Beach contest in NJ for the first time and was thoroughly impressed with the combination of symmetry and muscle and beauty she brought to the stage … and I was lucky enough to meet her later down the road and become friends with her She was a loving, giving, person who loved working out and entertaining people She will be missed by me and her many friends and fans

“I’m still in shock after hearing about Melissa Coates. She was the kindest and most beautiful soul EVER to exist. I am grateful to have known her & I hate this news so damn much,” wrote fellow WWE alum Melina Perez.

“Sending my heart to all of her friends, family & @TheRealSabuECW”

I’m still in shock after hearing about Melissa Coates. She was the kindest and most beautiful soul EVER to exist. I am grateful to have known her & I hate this news so damn much.

Sending my heart to all of her friends, family & @TheRealSabuECW.

— 🄼🄴🄻🄸🄽🄰 (@RealMelina) June 24, 2021

“Thinking about Melissa Coates today. I am sad to hear of her passing. Melissa was always so kind to everyone she met and had a huge heart. She said that this was her favorite picture of herself. You are loved and remembered, Melissa. ” Natalya Neidhart, another Canadian wrestler said.

Thinking about Melissa Coates today. I am sad to hear of her passing. Melissa was always so kind to everyone she met and had a huge heart. She said that this was her favorite picture of herself. You are loved and remembered, Melissa. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7JyNRx9cqi

— Nattie (@NatbyNature) June 24, 2021

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Melissa Coates – better known to IMPACT fans as Super Genie, the manager of Sabu. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her friends and family,” the Impact Wrestling Twitter account wrote.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Melissa Coates – better known to IMPACT fans as Super Genie, the manager of Sabu. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her friends and family.

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 24, 2021

“Melissa Coates was always so kind and friendly every single time I got to see her or work with her at a show. Such a fun, kind energy to have around. She will be dearly missed ” wrote Leva Bates.

Melissa Coates was always so kind and friendly every single time I got to see her or work with her at a show. Such a fun, kind energy to have around. She will be dearly missed 💙

— Leva Bates (@wrestlingleva) June 24, 2021

“When I was going thru my health issues last yr, Melissa Coates, @RealSuperGenie
reached out to check on me & sent me this message of encouragement. Goes to show what a sweet, amazing person & friend she was.I’ll miss her so much. Rest in eternal peace, my beautiful friend,” wrote Velvet Skye, while sharing some screenshots of their messages together.

When I was going thru my health issues last yr, Melissa Coates, @RealSuperGenie reached out to check on me & sent me this message of encouragement. Goes to show what a sweet, amazing person & friend she was.I’ll miss her so much. Rest in eternal peace, my beautiful friend. 🙏🏼💜😢 pic.twitter.com/w44yMpRECY

— Velvet Sky (@VelVelHoller) June 24, 2021

Fitness Volt would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of former Ms. Olympia Melissa Coates. It is clear that she had a huge impact on the lives of countless people, and her legacy will be remembered forever.

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