If you’ve spent any time in a gym, you know the name. You know the catchphrases. "Yeah buddy!" and "Lightweight, baby!" have basically become the unofficial liturgy of iron-pumping addicts everywhere. But behind the eight Mr. Olympia trophies and the legendary videos of 800-pound squats, there is a man who has been through the ringer. Not just in the gym, but in the hospital and, quite frankly, in his personal life. People always ask about the records, but lately, the search bar is flooded with a different question: is Ronnie Coleman married?
The short answer is yes. He’s very much married.
But it isn’t just a simple "yes" or "no" situation. To understand Ronnie’s life today, you have to look at the woman who has stayed by his side while he literally learned how to walk again. It’s a story of loyalty that's arguably more impressive than his 24-inch biceps.
The Woman Behind The King: Who is Susan Williamson?
Ronnie Coleman is currently married to Susan Williamson. They’ve been together for a long time, but they officially tied the knot in April 2016. Susan isn't just a "celebrity wife" who shows up for red carpet photos. She’s a personal trainer herself, which makes sense. You’d kind of have to be into fitness to keep up with Ronnie’s mindset. Honestly, she’s been his rock through some of the darkest years of his life.
Think about it. Ronnie has had over 13 surgeries. We’re talking spinal fusions, hip replacements, and procedures where screws literally snapped inside his back. There were times when he couldn't move. Susan was the one navigating the hospital corridors and managing the household while the "strongest man in the world" was at his most vulnerable.
Their wedding was a relatively private affair compared to his loud stage presence. It happened in Arlington, Texas, where they still live today. It wasn't some over-the-top Hollywood circus; it was just two people who had already been through enough life to know they wanted to stick together.
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A Blended Family of Eight
If you think Ronnie’s training schedule was intense, try managing his dinner table. Ronnie and Susan have a massive, blended family. Between them, they have eight children.
- Ronnie and Susan share four daughters together.
- Ronnie has two daughters from a previous relationship.
- Susan has two children from a previous relationship.
It’s a full house. People often get confused because they see Ronnie with different kids in his Instagram clips. It’s not a mystery—it’s just a big, loving, modern family. Most of the girls are active in sports, and Ronnie is frequently seen (often in his motorized wheelchair or using crutches) cheering them on at track meets or school events.
That Sepsis Scare in 2025
You might have heard the terrifying news that broke in mid-2025. Ronnie was hospitalized with a "serious medical condition" that turned out to be sepsis—a life-threatening blood infection.
Here’s the wild part: Ronnie credits one of his daughters for saving his life. She was the one who noticed something was seriously wrong and raised the alarm. He spent weeks in a specialized facility, and for a minute there, the bodybuilding world was genuinely scared we were going to lose the King. Susan and the kids were the ones providing the updates to his 13 million followers, keeping the "Ronnie Strong" movement alive while he fought for his life.
Ronnie’s First Marriage: What Happened?
Before Susan, there was Rouaida Christine Achkar. This is where some of the "is Ronnie Coleman married" confusion usually starts, because old articles from the mid-2000s still float around.
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Ronnie met Christine in Paris back in 1998 at a sports exposition. They didn't get married right away; they actually waited until December 2007. Christine was a Lebanese-French personal trainer, and at the time, it seemed like a match made in bodybuilding heaven. They even had a massive wedding celebration in Lebanon in 2008.
However, the marriage didn't last. They eventually divorced, and Ronnie remained single for a few years before his relationship with Susan became the center of his world.
Life in 2026: The New Battle
As of early 2026, Ronnie’s life isn’t about lifting the heaviest weight in the room anymore. It’s about mobility. If you follow him on social media, you’ve seen the videos of him in the pool. He’s doing water therapy, trying to build enough strength to walk unaided by 2027.
It’s a humbled version of the man we saw on the Olympia stage, but in many ways, he's more inspiring now. He’s open about his pain. He doesn't hide the wheelchair. And through all of it, Susan is right there.
He often talks about how he doesn't regret the training that "broke" his body. He’d do it all again. But he also admits that having a family to come home to is what makes the recovery worth it. Without Susan and those eight kids, the "King" would just be a man in a quiet house with a bunch of dusty trophies.
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Common Misconceptions About Ronnie's Family
People love to gossip. Over the years, I've seen some weird rumors. No, he isn't divorced from Susan. No, he doesn't live in a nursing home (he trains at Metroflex still!).
- The "Secret Children" Rumor: Some people think he has kids all over the place. He’s actually very transparent about his six biological daughters and two step-children.
- The Health Mystery: People think his surgeries are "fake news" or exaggerated. They aren't. His back is held together by hardware, and he's currently recovering from that 2025 sepsis bout.
- The Wealth Factor: Despite the medical bills, Ronnie’s supplement line, Ronnie Coleman Signature Series, is doing incredibly well, allowing him to provide for that big family.
Final Thoughts on the King’s Home Life
So, is Ronnie Coleman married? Yes, to Susan Williamson since 2016. They live in Texas, they have eight kids between them, and they are currently navigating one of the toughest physical recoveries in sports history.
If you’re looking to support the legend, the best way is to keep up with his official "Ronnie Strong" updates. He’s using his platform now to raise awareness for sepsis, which almost took him out.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out his YouTube channel for the latest "Walk Again" vlogs; they are genuinely motivating.
- If you're buying supplements, look into the Signature Series—that's his main business venture.
- Don't believe every "RIP Ronnie" headline you see on TikTok; the man is a fighter and very much alive.
Ronnie Coleman proved he could conquer the stage. Now, with Susan by his side, he’s proving he can conquer the much harder task of just being a dad and a husband while his body heals.