Arnold Schwarzenegger turns 75 – Bodybuilding world celebrates
The bodybuilding world is celebrating the birthday of the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger who turns 75.
Arnold Schwarzenegger needs no introduction, since stepping into the gym for the first time at a very young age, he had a vision to be the best at anything he put his mind to, and he succeeded.
Even at the age of 75, Arnold still has a lot of charisma and a great sense of humor. Having a number of health complications in the last few years, Arnold managed to fight his way back to good health and continue his acting career.
Bodybuilding athletes and media, are all celebrating Arnold Schwarzenegger’s birthday by publishing numerous photos and footage from his incredible career and life in general.
Celebrating Arnold’s bodybuilding career
Born on July 30, 1947, in Austria, Arnold did not have a easy upbringing. The young Austrian boy, always dreamed of traveling to America to have a better life.
Dreams turned to reality and Arnold’s great success in the sport of bodybuilding, cemented his status as the greatest bodybuilder in the history of the sport.
Arnold continues to be celebrated as the greatest every bodybuilder, even at the age of 75. Regardless of how popular the modern day bodybuilder is, Arnold’s name is still mentioned on almost every podcast or article published.
The last time Arnold stepped on the bodybuilding stage was when he was 33, at the 1980 Mr. Olympia. 42 years after his last contest, Arnold is still the most popular bodybuilder in the world.
Since 1966, Arnold Schwarzenegger competed 27 times, winning 24 and placing second in only three events.
After dominating NABBA and IFBB events, Arnold went on to win the Mr. Olympia six consecutive times, to then make a controversial return in 1980, to win his seventh Mr. Olympia.
Arnold always stepped on stage in the best condition, leaving his fellow competitors fighting for second place.
Having an eye for detail, just like a sculpture, Arnold always presented a perfectly proportioned physique, with the right balance of condition and size.
Compared to the modern day bodybuilder, Arnold in his prime, might look smaller, but in regards to the ideal physique, Arnold’s is always preferred.
Pumping Iron, Hollywood, Arnold Classic and politics
A brief history of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pumping Iron. Way back in 1974, the late George Butler and Charles Gaines, published a book called “Pumping Iron”. This book focused on the 1975 IFBB Mr. Universe and the 1975 Mr. Olympia.
Thanks to the great success of the book, George Butler and his team, started to work on a docudrama with the same name. Pumping Iron was released on 18 January, 1977, and it gave the public the chance to experience the crazy world of bodybuilding.
Focusing on Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pumping Iron made Arnold a household name and created a lot of opportunities for the Austrian bodybuilding champion.
Just as Joe Weider helped bring Arnold Schwarzenegger to the USA, George Butler made Arnold as household name.
Arnold worked hard for his money and he invested his earnings in properties. By the age of 25, Arnold was already a millionaire thanks to his wise investments.
After retiring from a very successful bodybuilding career, Arnold turned his focus to becoming an actor, with the dream of achieving success in the film industry.
Arnold not only achieved great success in the film industry, but he managed to become Hollywood’s most popular and successful actor, starring in numerous blockbusters. Arnold starred in approximately 60 films.
At the peak of his career, Arnold earned $20-30 million per movie achieving a net worth if approximately $450 million.
In 1989, Arnold Schwarzenegger would organize one of the greatest bodybuilding events in the history of the sport, The Arnold Classic. Arnold would invite the best bodybuilders in the world to his event, putting it on par with the Mr. Olympia.
With the main event being organized in the USA, the Arnold Classic was also organized successfully in Europe, Brazil, South Africa and Australia.
One would believe that becoming the worlds most popular actor and bodybuilding promoter would be the highlight of his career, but Arnold had other plans.
In 2003 he shocked the world when he announced on “The Tonight Show” that he was running for Governor of California. Arnold served as Governor from 2003-2011.
After his term was competed as Governor of California, Arnold continued to organize the Arnold Classic Sports Festival Worldwide and also continues to star in a number of films.
Bodybuilding Career
1966
Mr Europe (1), Winner
Mr Universe – NABBA, Tall, 2nd
1967
Mr Universe – NABBA, Overall Winner
Mr Universe – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1968
Universe – IFBB, 2nd
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1969
Mr Europe – IFBB, Overall Winner
Mr Europe – IFBB, Tall, 1st
Mr International – IFBB, Overall Winner
Mr International – IFBB, Tall, 1st
Olympia – IFBB, 2nd
Universe – IFBB, Overall Winner
Universe – IFBB, Tall, 1st
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1970
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
Mr World – AAU, Professional Overall Winner
Mr World – AAU, Pro Tall, 1st
1971
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
1972
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
1973
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
1974
Olympia – IFBB, Overall Winner
Olympia – IFBB, HeavyWeight, 1st
1975
Olympia – IFBB, Overall Winner
Olympia – IFBB, HeavyWeight, 1st
1980
Olympia – IFBB, Winner
