Bodybuilder Daniela Shulz and her husband have tragically passed away in a plane crash in Brazil
The bodybuilding and fitness community is in shock and mourning after the tragic death of IFBB Pro Wellness athlete Daniela Shulz. Daniela and her husband were aboard a twin-engine turboprop aircraft that crashed in the town of Vinhedo, Brazil, on its way from Cascavel in Paraná to Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo. The news was first confirmed to Generation Iron by pro bodybuilder Victor Martinez – who knew the rising Wellness star.
The ATR 72-500, operated by Voepass airline, was carrying 57 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash. According to local authorities, there were no survivors.
The news of Daniela’s passing has sent waves of grief through the fitness world. She was set to make her professional debut in Tupelo, Mississippi, in just a few days, marking a significant milestone in her career. Daniela had recently earned her IFBB Pro Card, a long-cherished dream she worked tirelessly to achieve.
Daniela’s coach, Robert Phil, expressed his deep sorrow in a heartfelt post on Instagram, written in Portuguese. “Today is the saddest day of my life as a coach,” Phil wrote.
“Daniela was going to make her debut in the first professional show of her life in Tupelo. Today, the Lord called her to heaven, and heaven gained another star.”
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Phil also paid tribute to Daniela’s husband, who tragically lost his life alongside her, and to the NPC/IFBB Pro League family for helping Daniela achieve her dream of becoming a professional athlete.
“To her beloved husband, with whom I had the pleasure of spending time, may God keep you by the side of your princess wherever you are,” Phil added. “Dani was going to shine brightly. She was beautiful.”
The crash site in Vinhedo, a residential area, saw extensive damage, but fortunately, no one on the ground was injured. The fiery wreckage destroyed a single home within a local condominium complex, and the harrowing scene was captured on video, showing a large area engulfed in flames and smoke.
Daniela Shulz’s sudden and tragic passing is a profound loss to the bodybuilding world. Her journey, marked by dedication and passion, was just beginning. As her coach poignantly noted, she may not have stepped onto the Olympia stage, but Daniela’s spirit and legacy will forever be remembered by those who knew and admired her.
Generation Iron sends condolences to friends and family during this difficult time. The plan crash is a true tragedy and the loss of life has reverberated across the world to many loved ones.
