Murray, the daughter of Darcelious and Louvelle Murray, was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1962. She began participating in organized athletics when she was 15 years old. Murray was a record-breaking sprinter and varsity cheerleader at Henry Ford High School. She moved on to Western Michigan University, where she earned a degree in political science with the intention of becoming a lawyer. She continued to cheer while at Western Michigan, and in 1982, she became the university’s second African American homecoming queen.

Murray worked as a cheerleader for the Michigan Panthers in the now-defunct United States Football League for two years before being invited to try out for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. She chose to slim down her thighs after auditioning for the group and making the second-to-last cut.

Where Is Ex-Miss Olympia Lenda Murray Now?

Lenda announced her retirement in 2004 after placing second in the Ms. Olympia competition. She has, however, kept herself busy since then. She has been a fitness and conditioning guru for almost three decades; as of 2019, she is still conducting one-on-one consults but no longer trains people. Aside from that, Lenda is still interested in bodybuilding, acting as a promoter for amateur fitness competitions and the IFBB Pro League, as well as commentating on ‘Femme Flex Friday.’