She went on to attend Western Michigan University, earning a degree in political science[citation needed] and intended to become a lawyer.
Within the first two days of joining the gym, Ron Love, an NPC Nationals contender told her that she had the physique to be a bodybuilder.
[2] Murray soon became a regular presence in bodybuilding magazines and a favorite subject of photographer Bill Dobbins who focused extensively on her in his books The Women and Modern Amazons.
She appeared in such mass-market publications as Sports Illustrated, Ebony, Mademoiselle, and Vanity Fair, as well as in Annie Leibovitz’s photo essay Women.
Murray’s physique became the standard against which professional female bodybuilders are now judged—an hourglass figure, with broad shoulders tapering into a V-shaped torso mirrored by a proportionally-developed lower body.
[2][12] Lenda, after Lonnie Teper left a voice message telling her to compete again, started thinking of coming out of retirement.
[20] Every year there is an NPC competition, held at Norfolk State University, called the Lenda Murray Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Championships, which she is a promoter and organizer for.
[27] In 2015, Murray appeared in Adam Sandler's The Ridiculous 6 where she played (Terry Crews's character) Chico's mother.