1982 Mr. Olympia winner Chris Dickerson passes away due to pneumonia on Dec. 23, 2021. He was 82 years old and was living in a rehab facility after suffering a stroke. The news of Chris Dickerson’s passing was first reported by Shawn Ray of Digital Muscle magazine on his Instagram account.
Chris Dickerson was the sixth winner of Mr. Olympia. Not only did he win bodybuilding’s biggest competition in 1982 but he was also a runner-up in two other years. His solid resume and competitive spirit made Chris Dickerson a source of inspiration for the future bodybuilding generations.
Fellow bodybuilding legend Dave Palumbo shed light on the cause of Chris Dickerson’s death in an Instagram post shared on his personal account and revealed that the 82-year-old passed away due to pneumonia.
“Sad to report the passing of 1982 Mr Olympia Chris Dickerson, 82, from pneumonia … Chris has been living in a rehab facility after suffering a stroke .. he had some of the best forearms and calves I’ve seen .. and was a true gentleman R.I.P.,” Dave Palumbo wrote.
Unfortunately, the past few years brought a series of health issues for the bodybuilding legend. The year 2020 was full of difficulties for all of us and Chris Dickerson was not an exception. Back in March 2020, Chris Dickerson had a fall at his home which resulted in a fractured hip. While in hospital, the 82-year-old suffered a massive heart attack and had to resort to a pacemaker. As if all of this was not enough, Dickerson also contracted the Covid-19 virus when in hospital but battled all these things out with a warrior’s spirit and celebrated his 81st birthday in the days that followed.
Chris Dickerson’s bodybuilding career at a glance
Born in Montgomery, Alabama on August 25, 1939, as the youngest of triplets, Chris Dickerson made his bodybuilding debut at the 1965 Mr. Long Beach with a third-place finish and turned pro in 1973. Over the course of a 30-year-long bodybuilding career, Chris Dickerson won 15 professional bodybuilding competitions across four major organizations.
Known for his heavily muscled and symmetrical physique, Chris Dickerson was especially praised for his posing skills during his bodybuilding career. He was the first African-American AAU Mr. America, the first openly gay winner of the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest, and one of only two bodybuilders along with Dexter Jackson to win titles in both Mr. Olympia and Masters Olympia competitions.
Dickerson last competed at the 1994 Masters Olympia and retired after winning the 50+ division. He was later inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in the year 2000. In his last days, Chris Dickerson lived in his Florida home where he continued to train, conduct seminars, and interact with retiring athletes.
Mr. & Masters Olympia Results
1979 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 4th (LightWeight)
1980 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 2nd
1981 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 2nd
1982 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 1st
1984 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 11th
1994 – IFBB Masters Olympia: 4th
Titles Won
1966 – AAU Junior Mr. USA
1966 – AAU Junior Mr. USA (Most Muscular)
1966 – AAU Mr. Atlantic Coast
1966 – AAU Mr. New York State
1967 – AAU Mr. California
1968 – AAU Mr. USA
1970 – AAU Junior Mr. America
1970 – AAU Junior Mr. America (Most Muscular)
1970 – AAU Mr. America
1970 – AAU Mr. America (Most Muscular)
1970 – NABBA Mr. Universe (Short)
1971 – NABBA Mr. Universe (Short)
1973 – WBBG Pro Mr. America
1973 – NABBA Pro Mr. Universe
1974 – NABBA Pro Mr. Universe
1979 – IFBB Canada Pro Cup
1980 – IFBB Canada Pro Cup
1980 – IFBB Florida Pro Invitational
1980 – IFBB Grand Prix California
1980 – IFBB Grand Prix Miami
1980 – IFBB Grand Prix New York
1980 – IFBB Night of Champions
1981 – IFBB Grand Prix California
1981 – IFBB Grand Prix Louisiana
1981 – IFBB Grand Prix New York
1981 – IFBB Grand Prix Washington
1981 – IFBB Night of Champions
1982 – IFBB Mr. Olympia
1994 – IFBB Olympia Masters 50+
Chris Dickerson’s passing is the end of an era and Fitness Volt will keep the bodybuilding legend alive in our memories.
RIP to a true legend, pioneer and training inspiration to the bodybuilding lifestyle. Chris has graced the stage with pioneers like Arnold, Frank Zane, Albert Beckles, Bertil Fox, Danny Padilla, Ed Corney, Robby Robinson, and a host of other legends. Chris will be remembered in the muscle sport community and a tremendous loss to us all. The greatest calves in the sport!! RIP Chris.
Mr. Chris Dickerson was not only a first class bodybuilder but he was also a first class person. I had the privilege to meet him years ago when he visited his home state of Alabama. All people in all walks of life could take lessons from him in being the best you can be. Class never goes out of style.