Health: US bodybuilding champion dies aged 46 after collapse

Celebrity bodybuilding champion Rich Piana has died two weeks after he was placed in a medically induced coma.

The 46-year-old's death was confirmed on Friday morning in a Facebook post by his estranged wife Sara Piana.

She wrote: "I'm in tears writing this that @1dayumay has just passed away.

"I can barely believe this... I am so saddened & heartbroken that he didn't make it."

The estranged wife of former Mr California, Rich Piana, says she is "heartbroken" following his sudden death.

Piana, a former Mr California, collapsed at his home on 10 August while having a haircut, TMZ reported.

He was rushed to hospital and placed in a medically induced coma.

His girlfriend, Chanel Jansen, shared an update on 17 August.

She wrote: "The worldwide outpouring to send Rich voicemails and messages to have played or read to him is overwhelming! We can't thank you all enough for your continued support during this time.

"The only update I'm permitted to give at this time is that he is alive, he is okay, and the excellent medical professionals here as well as myself and his close loved ones are doing all we can to get him back to a full recovery."

I'm in tears writing this that @1dayumay has just passed away. I can barely believe this... I am so saddened & heartbroken that he didn't make it. I just want to say THANK YOU Rich for teaching me so much about life, whether it was the easy or the hard way. We had our ups and downs but we sure had an awesome time in each other's presence along with us fighting through some dark times together. You truly touched many people's heart and helped so many!!! It inspired me in many ways to see the huge impact you had on people all over the world. Not many people know that me and him are STILL legally married till this day despite all rumors. I have NOTHING to gain by saying that but want everyone to know the truth. I know that people say stuff on social media but I truly am not the "bad" person people think I am. I actually saved Rich's life 1 time before, glad I was there for him at that time. Rich, I hope you feel better now in heaven and that you're up there healthy, smiling & telling everyone "how it is, being REAL & doing your thing". Rest In Peace my dear husband. #GoneButNeverForgotten #RichPiana #RIP 😢 🙏🏼❤️. P.S. I want to wish my deepest condolence to Chanel @c_no5 and thanking her for being there for him, loving him & showing him support. You're an angel. We will all miss him so much, may his soul & spirit Rest In Peace Forever🙏🏼. XOXO Sara Piana. . . . #Repost @1dayumay (@get_repost) ・・・ Great weekend together @sara.piana and I had some nice time together since we didn't film the Bigger By The Day videos over the weekend!! It was some much needed quality time together!! Your time is everything and make sure you spend it right it's something you can't get back! #welcometoourworld #whateverittakes #livinthedream #loveitkillit #1dayumay #richpiana #queenofbeautykingofbeast #love #whateverittakes

Piana had more than 1.2 million followers on his Instagram page and posted images of his physique as well as bodybuilding advice on social media.

Last year, he admitted using anabolic steroids over long periods to help him gain muscle mass.

In a YouTube video in April 2016, he said: "If you have the choice to stay natural or do steroids, stay natural. There's no reason to do steroids, you're only hurting your body, you're hurting yourself.

"If you want to become a professional bodybuilder, guess what - you're probably going to have to f****** do 'em. You're not going to have a choice."

Bottles of testosterone were found by police at his home, according to TMZ.

It was unclear what caused his collapse.