October 19, 1953 – October 4, 1989
New York, NY, USA

In a short but colorful competitive career that spanned the period 1979 to 1982, Laura Combes became a pioneer for the distaff side of the sport and one of its most recognizable and outspoken personalities. Born in New York City, she moved to Tampa, Florida, when she was 13 and became immersed in high-school sports.

In the late ‘70s, in order to rehab from an injury, she began lifting weights; after that, she became involved in the new phenomenon of women’s bodybuilding. Although Combes’ competition titles were few, she managed to curve herself a permanent place in the history of the sport when, after winning the 1980 NPC Florida State Championships, she won the first-ever NPC National Championships later that same year.

In 1981, Laura captured the AAU Ms. America title. These accomplishments propelled her to the lofty heights of muscle celebrity enjoyed by the likes of Rachel McLish, Lisa Lyon and Kay Baxter. But Combes’ trophy triumphs paled when compared to what she brought to the stage by way of charismatic stage persona, unflinching spirit and genuine love of bodybuilding.

Said Combes toward the end of her competitive career, “As a bodybuilder, I’ve made my statement. I don’t need the competitive part anymore. If you think I’m muscular now, just wait until you see the women that will follow me in the future. I will look like a kid by comparison.”

Combes quickly excused herself from the competitive scene in 1982 after a sixth-place finish at her second IFBB Ms. Olympia. The impact she left on the sport, however, will last forever. Laura Combes was found dead in her Odessa, Florida, apartment on October 4, 1989. The cause of death was given as acute alcoholic poisoning.