Gladys Portugues


Gladys Portugues is an American former professional female bodybuilder and actress. As a bodybuilder, Gladys placed twice in the top 10 in the Ms. Olympia contest. Gladys is married to Belgian actor and martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Personal life

Born of Puerto Rican parents, Gladys has said that she was inspired to start her own bodybuilding and weight training regimen while attending Marymount Manhattan College, when Gladys saw Rachel McLish on television winning the Ms. Olympia title.
In 1987, at the age of 30, Gladys married Belgian martial artist and actor Jean-Claude van Varenberg. The couple divorced in 1992, then re-married in 1999. They have two kids:; Kristopher-van Varenberg and Bianca Brigitte. Her spouse is professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Books