The world of sports in the good old US of A has produced thousands of outstanding athletics in a huge variety of endeavors that highlight each competitor's physical gifts. And a more finite group can lay claim to having reached the pinnacle of their chosen sport. Whether it's the Olympic Games, a Super Bowl, or yes, even the winner of an Olympia crown in Bodybuilding, ascending to the highest level can be a long, difficult journey.
A precious few, however, have possessed the ability to transition from one difficult regimen and become the best in the world in another.
Enter Charlotte Yarbrough.
As a lifelong card-carrying member of the physical fitness culture, Charlotte Yarbrough was an accomplished swimmer and gymnast in her early years. Then as a graduate of UC Irvine, Yarbrough studied ballet under the guidance of legendary choreographers Eugene Loring and George Balanchine. Through it all, Yarbrough's gifted genetics along with a classical physical beauty that came from her years of bodily activity, led to a two-year stint as a competitive bodybuilder. Coincidentally, those years were in the early 80's and she was swept up in the rapid growth of a fledgling sport that was all the rage during that decade.
Married at the time, Yarbrough and her husband Jonathan had begun to create a magic act that would also grow in popularity. Her life at the time was dizzying in its schedules and the challenge to make time for everything she wanted to accomplish. Her bodybuilding efforts turned out to be a blessing as the physical appearance she developed and presented was magical in its own right. Needless to say, much of her magic came by way of her riveting stage presence. There was just no one else quite like her.
As a competitive bodybuilder Yarbrough was an immediate success and over the years of 1982 and '83 she placed in the top three of all but two of the 11 competitions she entered. Unless you were a close follower of women's bodybuilding in those days her name may not be familiar. But her combination of overall beauty and her lean well-balanced physique led many to compare her to Rachel McLish who was her contemporary at the time. Yarbrough was also at her best in mixed pairs competitions where the stage presence and classical bodylines she had earned from her years of ballet and the magical illusions she and her husband were developing for their magic acts, helped create highly entertaining performances.
Quickly, Yarbrough became a popular model for the fitness industry publications and she appeared often in Muscle & Fitness, Strength Training For Beauty, and Muscle Training Illustrated, among others. The titles of the articles fit the look she had created... The Perfect Body, Magic Muscle Metamorphosis, Stretching For a Better Flex. She was approaching the possibility of reaching the pro ranks after a second-place finish in the lightweight class at the AFWB USA in 1983 when the magic acts she and husband Jonathan had developed were becoming increasingly popular. Dramatically so.
Soon the Pendragons – as they became known – were performing throughout the world in over 50 countries, appearing on prime time specials on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS Showtime, Family Channel, VH1, E, CNN's "Showbiz", and late night television shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. They developed the 'Night of Magic' show for Disney, multiple 'World's Greatest Magic' shows for NBC, and the 'Champions of Magic' for ABC. They also performed at presidential galas for presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and galas for the Queen of England, the Prince of Wales, and the Royal Family of Monaco.
Through the '80s, '90s and into the new millennium Charlotte Yarbrough became the most honored women in magic. She was the first woman (and now a two-time winner) ever to receive the 'Magician of the Year' award from the Academy of Magical Art – America's most prestigious magic honor. Yarbrough was also selected for Britain's 'Inner Magic Circle'. The Magic Circle had never inducted a woman into their society in over 100 years of existence and is a highly exclusive membership. The event was televised throughout Britain and her honors were in recognition for her excellence in the art of illusion. She was also the youngest woman to ever receive the 'Performing Fellowship' from Hollywood's Magic Castle – an establishment where both she and Jonathan had performed on numerous occasions. Put simply, Charlotte Yarbrough is the most honored women in the history of magic.
Still performing at the magical age of 60, Charlotte Pendragon's beauty is no illusion – radiant as ever – she creates the aesthetic performance of a character that looks, moves, and acts like a supernatural being... and just maybe she is. She has been called "the sexiest brand" in magic, but there is no denying she is 'The First Lady of Magic'.
Not bad for a former bodybuilder!
CHARLOTTE YARBROUGH'S CONTEST HISTORY
The California Gold Cup 3rd LW 1982
Bodybuilding Expo III 1st LW 1982
Bodybuilding Expo III Mixed Pairs 1st 1982
AFWB USA 4th LW 1982
AFWB American Championships 8th LW 1982
California Muscle Classic 2nd LW 1982
California Muscle Classic - Mixed Pairs 1st 1982
Russ Warner Classic 2nd LW 1982
Super Bowl of Bodybuilding 3rd LW 1983
AFWB Junior USA 1st LW 1983
AFWB USA 2nd LW 1983
AFWB USA - Mixed Pairs 3rd 1983
AFWB American Championships 6th LW 1983
Discuss This Article In Muscle Central
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
