Enter the Arnold Prize money: 1970-74 Arnold Schwarzenegger $1,000
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He also won in the Heavyweight category 1974-75 (Mr. Olympia is now just an “all around winner”)
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Prize money: 1975 Arnold $2,500
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Prize money: 1976 Franco Columbu $5,000
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A year later, Franco lost the title but he kept training and would be rewarded with a few more bucks in prize money when he regained the crown in 1981.
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That title would spend the next 3 years on the head of this icon, Frank Zane. During those years, he also got sponsors to push the prize purse up in value…probably because this American was pretty damn good looking (just sayin’). Prize money: 1977 Frank Zane $5,000
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Prize money: 1978 Frank Zane $15,000
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Prize money: 1979 Frank Zane $25,000
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Frank Zane, an American bad-a**-mother-f*cker
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Prize money: 1980 Arnold $25,000
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Prize money: 1981 Franco Columbu $25,000
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Franco Columbu
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Lou Ferringno for an honorable mention (by commenter’s request). He didn’t win it but we was the “Hulk” from 1977-81 with 2 last episodes broadcasting in May of 1982. Plus in the 1983 movie Hercules, he played the role of “Hercules”. I’m guessing the residuals for the “Hulk” kept his lights on.
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Prize money: 1982 Chris Dickerson $25,000
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Prize money: 1983 Samir Bannout $25,000
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Samir Bannout
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Prize money: 1984-85 Lee Haney $50,000
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Prize money: 1986 Lee Haney $55,000
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Lee’s bank account got a bit bigger in the early ’90s. Prize money: 1990-91 Lee Haney $100,000
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Prize money: 1992-94 Dorian Yates $100,000
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Prize money: 1995-97 Dorian Yates $110,000
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This is Ronnie Coleman and he is strong.
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How strong?
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He won Mr. Olympia 8 years in a row.
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Prize money: 1998-2003 Ronnie Coleman $110,000
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Prize money: 2004 Ronnie Coleman $120,000
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Prize money: 2005 Ronnie Coleman $150,000
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Prize money: 2006-07 Jay Cutler $155,000
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Jay Cutler
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Jay Cutler
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Prize money: 2008 Dexter Jackson $155,000
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Dexter Colman
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Prize money: 2009-10 Jay Cutler $200,000
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Jay Cutler
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Jay Cutler
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And then there is the current Mr. Olympia.
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Back in 2011 his reign as king began. It’s been 5 consecutive years on top. This is Phil Heath.
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Prize money: 2011 Phil Heath $200,000
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Prize money: 2012-13 Phil Heath $250,000
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Prize money: 2014 Phil Heath $275,000
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Prize money: 2015 Phil Heath $400,000 “luv that money”