Remembering Dawn Whitham: An Inspiring Bodybuilder and Powerlifter
The bodybuilding community has been rocked with the news of Dawn Whitham’s passing on February 14th, 2023. She was 57 years old. The cause of death is not yet known, but Whitham had been fighting a battle with brain cancer for some time prior to her passing.[0]
Whitham first gained notoriety in the late 1980s and beyond as a powerlifter and bodybuilder.[1] She notched impressive feats of strength in her career, such as a 405-pound squat for six reps and a 405-pound bench press for three reps. Whitham also managed to complete 32 reps on a 185-lb bench press and 63 reps performing 225-lb squats.[0]
In 1990, she won the Medium category at the Ms. USA – AAU and in 1992 she won both the Heavyweight and Overall categories at the NPC Atlantic States Championships.[1] After retiring from competitive sports, Whitham became a tattoo artist.
A post was made on her official Facebook page to announce her passing, which also revealed that she was survived by her husband Robert Hartley.[2] Since then, an outpouring of love and tribute has been paid to Whitham from friends and family who remembered her for her incredible strength and determination. One user commented that she was “the bravest warrior” they had ever seen and another said she was “one very incredible woman.”
Dawn Marie Whitham was a force to be reckoned with in the world of powerlifting and bodybuilding.[3] Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew her and the lives she inspired.[0]
0. “Powerlifter And NPC Bodybuilder Dawn Whitham Has Passed Away At 57” Generation Iron Fitness Network, 16 Feb. 2023, https://generationiron.com/dawn-whitham-bodybuilder-powerlifting-passed-away/
1. “57-Year-Old Bodybuilding Veteran Battling Brain Cancer Passes Away” EssentiallySports, 17 Feb. 2023, https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-bodybuilding-news-dawn-marie-whitham-year-old-bodybuilding-veteran-battling-brain-cancer-passes-away
2. ““My Heart Is Broken”: Bodybuilding World Mourns the Passing Away of 57-Year-Old Legend” EssentiallySports, 17 Feb. 2023, https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-bodybuilding-news-dawn-whitham-my-heart-is-broken-bodybuilding-world-mourns-the-passing-away-of-57-year-old-legend/
3. “Powerlifting & Bodybuilding Veteran Dawn Whitham Passes Away at 57 – Fitness Volt” Fitness Volt, 16 Feb. 2023, https://fitnessvolt.com/dawn-whitham-obituary
