Beloved IRL ‘G.L.O.W.’ Wrestler Mountain Fiji Has Died at Age 60
Thanks to Netflix’s super popular GLOW series, the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling — both new and original — have been back in the spotlight in recent months. This week, though, the G.L.O.W. family lost one of its own: OG wrestler Mountain Fiji, who stepped into the ring back in the 1980s.
Mountain Fiji — real name: Emily Dole — inspired the Netflix series’ fictional character Machu Picchu. The Samoan-American athlete and actress was a legend on the scene, dominating the sport during G.L.O.W.’s IRL years from 1986 to 1992. With her incredible unbeaten record, she was a fan favorite in the ring, which led to appearances on Regis and Kathie Lee, Donahue, and Card Sharks.
In recent years, however, Dole suffered from serious health problems. On Wednesday, January 3, fellow “Original GLOW GIRL” Patricia Summerland broke the sad news of her passing on Twitter. “Rip Emily Dole!” Summerland, AKA Sunny the California Girl, wrote. “WE LOST OUR GLOW SISTER THIS MORNING. We are very sad that she passed away. We are the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. She was the CHAMP IN THE RING. Fly high Mountain Fiji ❤”
Rip Emily Dole ! WE LOST OUR GLOW SISTER THIS MORNING .We are very sad that she passed away . We are the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling . She was the CHAMP IN THE RING. Fly high Mountain Fiji ❤ pic.twitter.com/KI5FIijFo5
— Patricia Summerland (@glowsunnygirl) January 3, 2018
Summerland shared various photos of her friend, including several from her years in the spotlight. “Rip To Our Mountain Fiji! I’m so Very sad Our GLOW FAMILY LOST A LEGEND!!” she wrote on one. “IN THE Wrestling world [an] ICON. ❤❤Sunny hugs my Beautiful GOOD girl.”
Rip To Our Mountain Fiji ! I'm so Very sad , Our GLOW FAMILY LOST A LEGEND. !! IN THE Wrestling world a ICON . ❤❤Sunny hugs my Beautiful GOOD girl, pic.twitter.com/SuszLIant8
— Patricia Summerland (@glowsunnygirl) January 3, 2018
Our condolences to Emily Dole’s family and the entire G.L.O.W. community. Mountain Fiji will be missed.
(photo via Laura Luongo/Liaison)
