Rachel McLish- American Female Bodybuilding Champion, Actress, Author

In this article, we will talk about the veteran and the hardworking bodybuilders of the world.  Further, she inspires us that bodybuilding isn’t for male-only but it can also be a career for females. So, today’s article is based on an American female bodybuilding champion, actress, and author, Rachel McLish.

Moreover, she is also popular as the wife of Ron Samuels. She has won two times an IFBB Ms.Olympia in 1980 and 1982. There’s a lot to know about McLish, so if you are interested then read the whole article.

Born in Harlingen

Rachel McLish was born as Raquel Livia Elizondo on June 21, 1955, in Harlingen, Texas, USA. Her father is Rafael Elizondo, Mexican ancestry and her mother, Raquel Elizondo. She has an elder sister Sandra Lopez, and Leah Elizondo Yakub is her niece.

Moreover, she enrolled at Harlingen High School and was twice-named Cardinal’s Football Sweetheart. Later, she went to the University of Texas-Pan American for her graduation in 1978. She is a  graduate with a degree in physiology and health and nutrition.

Career as a Female BodyBuilder

64 years old, McLish started her career while studying in college working in at heath club in McAllen, Texas. After graduation, she and the health club manager, Javier Gutierrez founded the Sports Palace Association in Harlingen with the partnership. Moreover, she competed in bodybuilding with inspiration through Lisa Lyon and the club manager.

Check out Rachel’s short interview

Moreover, her official professional career started in 1980 when she won her first United States Championships. The same year in 1980, she won her IFBB Ms. Olympia for the US first time in history. In 1984, McLish gets retirement from competitive bodybuilding. She also worked in a movie like Pumping Iron II: The Women based on her participation in 1983 Caesar’s World Cup, Aces: Iron Eagle III (1992) and Raven Hawk (1996). Moreover, she is also an author of two books on weight training, Flex Appeal and Perfect Parts. Jeff Nippard, Shawn Rhoden and  Nataliya Kuznetsova are some renowed bodybuilders in the USA.

Relationship Status

Well, moving into her personal life, she is a married woman. McLish is married to her husband, Ron Samuels. Her husband is a movie producer. The couple walked down to aisle in a beautiful ceremony in 1990. Further, there are no details about their marriage and when they started dating. It’s been more than two decades of their marriage but the couple is free from rumors and controversies. They are enjoying their happy life with a strong bond. Moreover, there is no news if the couple is blessed with children or not.

Apart, McLish was previously married to her long-term boyfriend turned husband John P. McLish, on February 3, 1979. She was just 24 years old while she married John. Later, they got divorced due to their personal issues but the exact date of divorce is unknown.  Moreover, she is living a happy life with her husband in  Rancho Mirage, California.

What’s Her Net Worth?

5 Feet 6.5 Inch tall, McLish has earned a decent amount from her career as a Female bodybuilder. Moreover, her net worth estimated at over $5 Million as of 2020. Also, she worked as an actress in the hit movies which might have helped her to improve her income after retirement. Moreover, she also works as a motivational speaker who increases young women to develop her career in bodybuilding.

The most talented and famous female bodybuilder also writes a book related to fitness. Moreover, there was a report that she sold her house for $3 Million to Boston Red Sox player Coco Crisp. Currently, she is living a lavish life with her husband in Rancho Mirage, California.