All Ms. Olympia victors starting from 1980
In addition to the Men’s Open category champion awarded the Mr. Olympia title, there is also a Ms. Olympia winner. The Mr. Olympia competition commenced in 1965, yet it wasn’t until 1980 that the Ms. Olympia section was included. As a result, men’s bodybuilding has dominantly overshadowed women’s bodybuilding in the following decades.
In fact, the IFBB Pro decided to cease the Ms. Olympia category in 2014, citing reduced fan engagement and declining ticket sales. Fortunately, promoter Jake Wood took over the management in 2020, restoring the Ms. Olympia division to the pinnacle of bodybuilding events.
From 1980, a total of 12 Ms. Olympia champions have been crowned, with Rachel McLish being the inaugural winner. The physiques of the Mr. Olympia victors have evolved through the years, as have those in the women’s division. This article will present an overview of all the Ms. Olympia titleholders.
Understanding the Ms. Olympia Contest
In essence, the Ms. Olympia is the female counterpart to the Mr. Olympia. Women are evaluated on muscle mass, definition, posing, and various criteria similar to the men’s division. It is regarded as the highest honor in the realm of bodybuilding.
Ms. Olympia Champions
| Winner | Year(s) |
| Rachel McLish | 1980, 1982 |
| Rivta Elomaa | 1981 |
| Carla Dunlap | 1983 |
| Corinna Everson | 1984-1989 |
| Lenda Murray | 1990-1995, 2002-2003 |
| Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls | 1996-1999 |
| Andrulla Blanchette | 2000 |
| Valentina Chepiga | 2000 |
| Juliette Bergmann | 2001 |
| Iris Kyle | 2004, 2006-2014 |
| Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia | 2005 |
| Andrea Shaw | 2020-2023 |
Rachel McLish (1980, 1982)
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The inaugural Ms. Olympia event was held in Philadelphia, PA, in 1980. This same year, Arnold Schwarzenegger emerged from a four-year retirement to win his seventh Mr. Olympia title. During this event, Rachel McLish was crowned the first Ms. Olympia. She also became the first to win the title multiple times, securing another victory in 1982.
Ritva Elomaa (1981)
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Ritva Elomaa prevented Rachel McLish from winning consecutive titles by capturing the 1981 Ms. Olympia title at the Sheraton Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Carla Dunlap (1983)
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In 1983, the competition returned to Pennsylvania (after being held in Atlanta in 1982), and the world witnessed a new champion, Carla Dunlap. This was the first year qualification was required to compete, as opposed to the initial years when contestants were hand-selected. Naturally, this increased the competition, leading to more muscular female contenders.
Corinna Everson (1984-1989)
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In 1984, Ms. Olympia was held outside the United States for the first time, with Montreal, Canada, as the host city. One athlete, boasting more muscle than her peers, dominated the event and took home the title. This 1984 Ms. Olympia champion was Corinna Everson. She maintained her winning streak for the subsequent five years. Upon retiring, Everson transitioned to movies, featuring in several films such as Double Impact, Natural Born Killers, and Ballistic.
Lenda Murray (1990-1995, 2002-2003)
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After Corinna Everson retired, the Ms. Olympia crown was passed to Lenda Murray, who began her dominant streak. Despite Bev Francis being a favorite in the subsequent year, Murray clinched the title six consecutive times from 1990 to 1995, and again in 2002 and 2003. Murray’s impressive physique prompted IFBB Pro to enforce “femininity” standards, curbing the size of future competitors.
Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls (1996-1999)
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In 1996, Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls halted Lenda Murray’s reign, outshining the six-time defending champion twice. She bested Murray again in 1997 (Murray took second place) and continued her winning streak until 1999.
Andrulla Blanchette and Valentina Chepiga (2000)
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Until 2000, Mr. Olympia and Ms. Olympia were held separately, but they were combined in that year. Additionally, the competition was divided into lightweight and heavyweight categories. Consequently, the two champions of 2000, Andrulla Blanchette and Valentina Chepiga, never faced each other head-to-head, making them the only co-champions of the same year.
Juliette Bergmann (2001)
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From 2000 through 2005, Ms. Olympia continued with separate divisions for lightweight and heavyweight competitors while adding an overall champion. Though Iris Kyle was the heavyweight winner, Juliette Bergmann, the lightweight champion, secured the overall title in 2001. This victory marked the only instance within the five-year split where a lightweight participant triumphed over a heavyweight contender for the overall title.
Iris Kyle (2004, 2006-2014)
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The long and arduous battle witnessed the seasoned former champion Lenda Murray facing Iris Kyle. In the end, 2004 was Iris Kyle’s year as she clinched both the heavyweight category and the overall title. While Kyle couldn’t retain her crown in 2005, she amassed 10 Olympia titles, which still stands as the highest number achieved by any Olympia competitor (even after the Ms. Olympia contest ended in 2014).
Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia (2005)
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In 2005, major adjustments were introduced to the Ms. Olympia category. Initially, the IFBB Pro eliminated the dual weight divisions and introduced the “20-percent rule,” which required contestants to appear 20% smaller to compete for the title. This modification allowed the three-time Ms. Olympia heavyweight bronze medalist Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia to seize the Ms. Olympia crown.
Andrea Shaw (2020-2023)
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With the halt of Ms. Olympia in 2014, there is a gap in champions from 2014-2019. Upon the division’s return, Andrea Shaw emerged as the modern Ms. Olympia and continues to hold the title. She is often spotted collaborating with top athletes like Shaun Clarida, engaging in rigorous training, and reinforcing her status as the Ms. Olympia titleholder.
Ms. Olympia Winners Overview
The Ms. Olympia contest has evolved considerably over its history. It has experienced phases of expansion, significant declines, and resurgence. Even with the lesser attention compared to the men’s division, it has grown. The competition has showcased the transformation of women’s physiques and celebrated numerous esteemed female bodybuilding champions.
We anticipate further growth and backing for the Ms. Olympia division, eager to witness some exceptional talent at this year’s Olympia, and look forward to the impressive female competitors who will grace the stage in Vegas next year. The pressing question is: will Andrea Shaw continue her reign since the Ms. Olympia division’s revival? Or will a past champion or new contender dethrone her?
Stay tuned to find out! Fit Journey Now will provide comprehensive coverage of the Olympia event including a detailed results page for all categories’ winners. So make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to see who emerges as the new champion!