21 Richest Bodybuilders in the World (2024)

Among all the kinds of athletes in the world, bodybuilders usually aren’t the ones people expect to be super wealthy, and, indeed, most of the bodybuilders aren’t millionaires, but dozens of bodybuilders have made it at the top of the pack and have shown that bodybuilders can make it to high-levels and show that the bodybuilding industry is worthy of more attention.

Read on to discover who the richest bodybuilders in the world are and how they came to build their wealth. Some of the entries may come as a surprise, but if you know anything about bodybuilders, you can probably guess the kinds of names that will make the cut.

How We Compiled the List

Creating a list of the richest bodybuilders came with several challenges. The main challenge is calculating the wealth of each bodybuilder to fairly determine how they rank. While there are many variables that we cannot know, by using clear methodology, we can most accurately estimate the numbers.

Our main guidelines and sources were as follows:

• We began the process by researching some of the most prominent bodybuilders in the industry so that we had an idea of the types of people we needed to do further research into. Once we had our shortlist, we were able to start doing the necessary research and begin ranking the bodybuilders and eliminating ones whose net worth didn’t put them in the top 21.
• During our research process, we used a range of sources to identify different ventures each bodybuilder earns money from. Public records are useful because they can give exact figures in some instances, such as for property assets. Government data, public filings, news reports, and academic or research data also helped us shape our conclusions when firm, case-specific data wasn’t available.
• In many instances, we had to use comparative value asset analysis to determine what assets or ventures were worth because public records don’t cover many potential streams of income or investment outcomes. Thus, we could look at known numbers with similar qualities and make estimations accordingly.
• When possible, we used self-disclosure or insider sources to better shape our analysis; however, we always take this information with caution because such resources don’t always provide completely accurate information, but they can still help us gain some new perspective on people’s financial situation.
• Throughout the process, we used formulas and mathematical equations to add meaning to the information we collected and make the ranking as accurate as possible.
• In the end, we used both qualitative and quantitative information to calculate net worths; whenever possible, we prioritized quantitative data, but qualitative data was used to finetune the information.

While net worth calculations are not an exact science, we have used the above methods to guarantee that we can calculate net worth as accurately as possible. As needed, we update our information to ensure that our figures respond to new knowledge.

The Richest Bodybuilders

Without further ado, discover who the richest bodybuilders in the world are!

21. Kai Greene

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $1.5 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions, acting, art, and personal training
• Accomplishments: Arnold Classic winner (3 times)

Kai Greene found his way to bodybuilding as a kid with behavioral issues, and he learned to use bodybuilding as an outlet for his negative feelings. Although he has never won Mr. Olympia, he is still considered a great among bodybuilding professionals.

With so much career success, Kai Greene was able to explore some of his other interests. He has had modest acting roles, such as appearing in Stranger Things. He also loves to create art and considers himself a master sculptor, and he loves to study the human physique. Other pursuits include podcasting, personal training, and media appearances and endorsements.

20. Steve Cook

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $1.6 million
• Sources of Income: YouTube, bodybuilding competitions, gym owner.
• Accomplishments: Mr. Olympia Top Ten (2 times) and over a million YouTube subscribers

Steve Cook started as a college football player, but after his college career, he began to work as a waiter. It was then that he discovered that bodybuilding was a path that appealed to him. He became a spokesperson, model, and professional bodybuilder. He has a huge career on YouTube, which has given him a huge platform.

19. Jeff Seid

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $1.8 million
• Sources of Income: YouTube, social media, modeling, and business
• Accomplishments: More than a million YouTube subscribers

Jeff Seid may be one of the youngest guys on the list, but he has made a huge impact and has become one of the biggest fitness influencers on YouTube and social media. He only has room to grow. On his channel, he has not only shown his triumphs, but he has also shown the hardships he has experienced along the way.  

18. Lazar Angelov

• Country: Bulgaria
• Estimated Net Worth: $2 million
• Sources of Income: Personal training, bodybuilding competitions
• Accomplishments: Being on the cover of Men’s Health and creating a personal website to help people around the world

Angelov began as a player with the Bulgaria’s National Basketball Association, but he eventually discovered bodybuilding when he was in the army. While an injury made his basketball career difficult, he was still able to work as a personal trainer and learn bodybuilding. He’s more than just a fitness model and loves to create content that helps other people.

17. Mike Chang

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $2.3 million
• Sources of Income: YouTube, business, and social media
• Accomplishments: More than 200k subscribers on his YouTube account and millions of views

Mike Chang is known for being the CEO and co-founder of Sixpackshortcuts, and he helps people become more fit so that they can be happier each day. For more than seven years, he has been striving to help people and has been active in the health industry for more than two decades.

16. Calum Von Monger

• Country:  Australia
• Estimated Net Worth: $2.5 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions and acting
• Accomplishments Mr. Universe winner (two times)

Calum von Monger began competing in 2011 and most recently competed in 2020. Like many other bodybuilders, von Monger has expanded his abilities and has used them to get involved in acting. He is best known for his role as Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2018 movie, Bigger. He has also appeared in Generation Iron 2 and Calum Von Moger: Unbroken, both as himself.

Von Monger has had some troubles. For example, he had several injuries that made it hard for him to continue his career including injuries that resulted from jumping out of a window. He also had failed business ventures like a gym that has since closed and a supplement company that also flopped. He even got in legal trouble for possessing drugs. Despite these challenges, he still remains as one of the richest bodybuilders in the world.

15. Christian Guzman

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $3 million
• Sources of Income: Fitness centers, athlete programs, YouTube, and social media
• Accomplishments: His YouTube channel has nearly 1 million subscribers

Christian Guzman is an internet personality and bodybuilder who has an interest in business. He is the owner and CEO of Alphaland, an 18.5-acre fitness center, and Alphalete. He is always pushing himself to do bigger and better things. His constant hustle attitude has allowed him to make so much money, and he will likely continue to make more money in the coming years.

14. Mike Rashid

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $3.5 million
• Sources of Income: YouTube, social media, apparel, and training/coaching
• Accomplishments: Over a million and a half YouTube followers

Mike Rashid is a CEO and YouTube personality who helps people be in the best shape of their lives. Not only does he have experience with bodybuilding, but he has also trained as a boxer, so he has a range of skills that he employs in his fitness programs and coaching. His Alpha Shred program helps people balance training and nutrition through the creation of a better mindset.

13. Mike O’Hearn

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $3.8 million
• Sources of Income: Acting, modeling, exercise program
• Accomplishments: Was in over 400 magazines and acted roles like Clark Kent in World’s Finest or Titan in American Gladiators

Mike O’Hearn is not the type of bodybuilder who has competed in the professional circuit, but he has used his body In his acting roles, modeling career, and to help create the exercise program Power Bodybuilding.

Not only has he appeared in many magazines and acting roles, but he even became a meme in 2023 with a Tik Tok video.

12. Dorrian Yates

• Country: England
• Estimated Net Worth: $4.2 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions, gym franchises, supplements
• Accomplishments: Mr. Olympia winner (6 times)

Having the fifth-highest number of Mr. Olympia wins, Dorrian Yates has shown himself as a fierce competitor, who was always known for the intensity of his training and dedication to conditioning. Yates was born in England, but he currently lives in Spain with his wife, fitness model Gal Ferreira.

Yates competed in bodybuilding from 1984 to 1997, but even after he retired, fitness and bodybuilding remained important to his career. He bought several gym franchises, which he ran for several years, and most of the franchises have closed, but one is still running.

11. Hodge Twins

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $4.5 million
• Sources of Income: YouTube, Marine Corps service, and fitness promotions
• Accomplishments: More than a million YouTube subscribers

Twins, Kevin and Keith, have shown how to create tons of YouTube content to earn a living. They have two channels, TheHodgetwins and Conservative Twins. While usually, we don’t put a duo as one name on a list, the Hodge twins are a package deal and pursue most of their ventures together. They make fitness videos, including some on bodybuilding, but they do not compete professionally as bodybuilders.  

The Twins have interests in more than fitness. They are also interested in conservative politics and comedy. In 2016, they began having stand-up comedy shows, proving that they are always willing to branch out and expand their interests.

10. Kali Muscle

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $5 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions, social media, modeling, and business endeavors.
• Accomplishments: 3.2 million YouTube subscribers with over 400 million total views

Chuck Kirkendall, professionally known as Kali Muscle, is a bodybuilder primarily known for his career on YouTube.  He was born in 1975 and has a wife and two kids.

He has worked as a model and has been in commercials and music videos, including working with Kendrick Lamar.

Kali Muscle has had some hardships throughout his career, and in 2021, he experienced a heart attack. Fortunately, he has continued to persevere through his medical issues and continues to help people learn to body build, even if they have limited resources. He also has other forms of videos on his channel, such as mukbangs, music videos, and skits.

9. Phil Heath

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $5.2 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions, professional wrestling, and brand promotion
• Accomplishments: Mr. Olympia (7 times)

Phillip Heath is a professional bodybuilder who won Mr. Olympia from 2011 to 2017, which puts him behind only Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman and tied with Arnold Schwarzenegger for most Mr. Olympia victories. He began his career in 2002 and last competed in 2020.

Phil Heath has earned more than just prize money. He has also participated in professional wrestling. Another way he has earned more money was through brand promotion and other media appearances.

8. Lee Haney

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $5.5 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions and TV personality jobs
• Accomplishments: Mr. Olympia (8 times)

Lee Haney is tied with Ronnie Coleman for having the most MR. Olympia titles, showing his huge influence in the bodybuilding world and proving that he is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. He started his bodybuilding competitions in 1979  and retired in 1991.

He has pursued more than just bodybuilding and was appointed by Bill Clinton as the chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. He is also a devoted Christian and has worked as a TV personality on a Trinity Broadcasting Network program, “TotaLee Fit with Lee Haney,” which combines fitness and spiritual development.

7. Lou Ferrigno

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $6 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions and Acting
• Accomplishments: Mr. Universe (2 times)

Lou Ferrigno had a hard early life because he had significant hearing loss that not only made it hard for him to hear but also caused a speech impediment. These disabilities caused him to be a victim of bullies and led to him finding joy in comic books, and he decided he wanted to learn to defend himself. This decision caused him to start weight training when he was thirteen and would lead to him winning competition prizes like Mr. Universe in 1973 and 1974.

Ferrigno retired in 1995, and even though he was accomplished as a bodybuilder, he didn’t earn a lot in that pursuit. He leaned into other professions, and he began acting in 1977 when he was cast as the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk, and he would continue this role for many years. He would then feature in other acting roles, which further established him in the acting world. He also served as a trainer to celebrities like Michael Jackson.

6. Gary Strydom

• Country: South Africa (born) United States (career)
• Estimated Net Worth: $7.5 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions, endorsements, and bodybuilding clothing brand
• Accomplishments: Being the only winner of the World Bodybuilding Federation competition, IFF Night of Champions Winners, and  NPC Nationals HeavyWeight 1^st place and overall winner

Gary Strydom was born in South Africa, but much of his career was established in the United States. While Gary Strydom may have never won coveted prizes like the Mr. Olympia 1^st place ranking, he has certainly had many victories in his long career from 1983 to 2006.  One of his biggest victories was his bodybuilding clothing brand, Crazee Wear, which he started in 1989 to make colorful and creative bodybuilding clothing.

5. Dexter Jackson

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $8 million
• Sources of Income: Professional bodybuilding, bodybuilding features and articles, and supplements
• Accomplishments: Mr. Olympia (2 times)

Of all bodybuilders, Dexter Jackson currently has the most professional titles. He has won Mr. Olympia twice and the Arnold Classic five times. He competed starting in 1992 and continuing until his retirement in 2020. While his main focus has been on bodybuilding feats, he has also released a documentary, appeared in the media, and started his supplement line to boost his net worth even more.

4. Ronnie Coleman

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $11 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competition, police work, media appearances, and sports nutrition and wellness
• Accomplishments: 8-time consecutive Mr. Olympia winner

Before he was a bodybuilder, Ronnie Coleman, known as the King, was on a different path. He got a degree in accounting but couldn’t get work and ended up working at a pizza restaurant before becoming a police officer.

It wasn’t until a colleague suggested that he attend a bodybuilder’s gym that Coleman found his place as one of the best bodybuilders of all time. He then started his professional career which lasted from 1990 to 2007. He won the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia titles in the same year in 2001 and kept placing in contests until he retired in 2007. He was then able to make training videos and earn from global endorsements and promotions.

3. Jay Cutler

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $33 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions, media appearances, social media, and supplements
• Accomplishments: Mr. Olympia winner (4 times)

Jay Cutler is one of the most decorated bodybuilders, and he was only the third competitor in Mr. Olympia history to have won non-consecutive Mr. Olympia titles. He competed from 1992 to 2013. In 2013 he retired from competition, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t keep busy. He worked on projects such as a book. He also developed a social media presence and established a supplement company for bodybuilders, which both helped him boost his net worth.

2. Rich Gaspari

• Country: United States
• Estimated Net Worth: $100 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions, media appearances, and supplements
• Accomplishments: IFBB Mr. Olympia Runner Up (3 times)

Rich Gaspari was born in Edison, New Jersey, and had an interest in bodybuilding when he was just a kid. When he was a teen, he would even sneak into nearby Rutgers University’s weight room so that he could practice. He began competing in 1983 at the NPC Junior Nationals, but it wasn’t until 1984 that he entered profess bodybuilding competitions. “The Dragon Slayer” was the Mr. Olympia runner-up for three competitions but he placed highly in numerous other competitions until he stopped competing in 1996.

Although he is primarily known for being a fierce bodybuilding competitor, Gaspari has had other ventures that have earned him money, such as appearing in magazines and other professional appearances. He also started his supplement brand in 1997, but that brand had issues in 2005 when it was alleged that the supplements were spiked with steroids. The controversy would eventually lead to the company being sold, but despite this issue, Gaspari’s bank account is doing just fine.

1.  Arnold Schwarzenegger

• Country: Austria (born) and United States (citizen)
• Estimated Net Worth: $400 million
• Sources of Income: Bodybuilding competitions, acting, political service
• Accomplishments:  Multiple bodybuilding prizes, such as Mr. Universe wins (both in the amateur and pro categories) and 7 Mr. Olympia wins; serving as California’s 38^th governor; and acting in films like The Terminator

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, and he is not only known for his status as a bodybuilder in the 70s, but he is also known as an actor and American politician. His diverse career interests show how he has become the wealthiest of all bodybuilders in the world.

Schwarzenegger always dreamed of moving to the United States, and he saw his career as a professional athlete as an opportunity to come to America. He ultimately made America his home, and he was able to make a name for himself with his tons of ambition. He has dabbled in many different ventures including writing books, creating physical competitions, and even earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing.