Frank Zane, the three-time Mr. Olympia winner, has been known for his body aesthetics. Winning straight from 1977 to 79, the bodybuilding legend was one of the best to grace the stage. As he recently sat for a podcast episode with Lisa Alastuey, the bodybuilding legend spoke about how the bodybuilding dynamics changed over the years.

From discussing his thoughts about his role in Pumping Iron to change in the prize money, Frank speaks his heart out.

Yesteryear legend Frank Zane spoke about Mr. Olympia’s prize money

Over the past few years, a lot has changed in Mr. Olympia. One amongst the many is the prize money. Speaking about his first prize money, Frank quote it was “too less.” Talking about the changing landscape, he revealed how the prize money “went from five thousand dollars.”

Giving an idea, Mr. Universe winner added that when he won the competition for the first time in 1977, he received ten thousand seventy-eight dollars. Two years after, the same stood at twenty thousand dollars. He further adds that by the time Lee Haney won the competition, it was around thirty thousand dollars. Thus, as the years progressed, the prize money at Mr. Olympia’s competition kept increasing.

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Speaking about the current prize money, he further adds, “And I think it’s probably half a million dollars now!” Frank did make a near-accurate guess, though. The winner of 2022, Mr. Olympia, would get to take home a whopping amount of $675,00. Well, it won’t be wrong to say that the amount that Frank won was indeed pea-sized compared to today’s prize money.

A look into Mr. Olympia’s prize money over the years

Back in 1965, when Mr. Olympia started in New York, the prize money was just $1000. As the days passed, the prize money kept on increasing. The total prize money for this year’s competition is $1,000,000, the highest in Mr. Olympia’s history. The popularity of bodybuilding as a mainstream sport has resulted in such a monumental shift.

A quick look at the prize money of the various Mr. Olympia events-

• Mr. Olympia: $675,000
• 212 Showdown: $65,000
• Ms. Olympia: $60,000
• Fitness Olympia: $60,000
• Figure Olympia: $60,000
• Bikini Olympia: $40,000
• Men’s Physique Showdown: $20,000
• Women’s Physique Showdown: $20,000

As Mr. Olympia is set to resume on December 15, the eyes are on the biggest sporting fiesta. With competitors traveling from across, it’s just a few days before the stage meets its new winner. It’s thus just a few more days before the fans can finally see who gets to take the prize money home. Who do you think would win Mr. Olympia 2022? Let us know in the comments.

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