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In this Evolutionary.org for Evo podcast your hosts Stevesmi and Da Mobster discuss –What was Lee Priest real Net Worth?
• Our thoughts on the article discussing Lee's financial situation
• Did Lee really need to ask for $100,000 towards Stem Cell therapy?
• Lee's drug stories and why he doesn't use anymore
• Why so many athletes don't manage their finances well
• Our forum members comments
• How Lee earns a living today
Link to articles: https://www.evolutionary.org/category/pc-bodybuilding/ifbb/
Link to Evo threads:
2. https://www.evolutionary.org/forums/threads/pic-of-the-day.105374/post-1775799
3. https://www.elitefitness.com/forum/threads/my-ongoing-blast-and-cruise-log.1514368/post-19241130
4. https://www.elitefitness.com/forum/threads/my-ongoing-blast-and-cruise-log.1514368/post-19241130
For 1-on-1 coaching/consultation/source help start conversation by contacting Stevesmi at:
https://www.elitefitness.com/forum/members/stevesmi.219851/
or
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums/members/stevesmi.85/
Article:
Introduction
Welcome to Evolutionary.org Evolutionary.org #622 - What was Lee Priest's real Net Worth? The guys discuss their thoughts on the Lee article, his struggles with drug issues and financial struggles, why athletes often go broke, forum comments, and where he is today.
Thoughts on the article
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums/threads/lee-priest-net-worth-age-height-and-career-how-much-has-this-bodybuilder-earned.105697/
Steve says that Lee Priest is considered the best Australian bodybuilder of all time. He says that it is a very culturally rich country with people from all over the world. This makes it a very talented country.
Mobster claims that Lee is, without a doubt, the best over the past 35 years from Australia. He says he has inspired many bodybuilders from that country. When it comes to net worth, he thinks the number of it being around $1 1million is probably around the right number, give or take some debts. Mobster says that when Muscular Development magazine wrote who has the best arms of all time, you had guys like Ronnie Coleman and Arnold, but you also had Lee Priest win out as the #1. He says that when he was at his best, he was beating Ronnie Coleman on stage.
You can't argue with the impact he has had in the sport, and what kind of impact he has had in Australia. Being voted tops in something among your peers is a huge accomplishment.
Needing 100K for stem cells and cocaine addiction
Lee went on Dave Palumbo's podcast to ask for 100K for stem cell treatment. He was in a car accident, which caused a neck injury that never healed. Mobster believes he had the money to pay for it, but he just didn't want to dip into his pocket. Another thing that you should be aware of is that this is a type of treatment that is hit or miss, so do you want to spend your own money on something that may not work?
The website was taken down, so it is unclear if he ever raised that money, but it's highly unlikely considering the backlash he got. 80% of the comments on the Palumbo video were negative, and many felt it was disrespectful to ask the community for money when you brag about how many cars you have in another video.
The guys then talk about his cocaine addiction and LSD stories. Lee says that he has been on so many drugs that he was watching porn while also 'beating his meat' and screaming at the screen. The only reason he stopped was that he was worried that his mom would find his dead body in that state.
Mobster also gets into the truth about competing and says the money you spend on doing all that can eat away at your end winnings. One of the things Lee has pushed for over the years is for competitors who don't finish high to still make a purse to help them pay their bills.
Steve says that coke addictions can cost a person 5 figures a month easily. So you will blow through money at a very fast clip.
Why athletes and celebrities go broke
Steve cites articles on this matter and says that an estimated 60-80% of pro athletes go broke. There is also data that lottery winners go broke as well, with numbers ranging from 33% up to 70%. There isn't as much data on celebrities, but there have been many who have filed for bankruptcy over the years, including Michael Jackson, Sharon Stone, Mike Tyson, Aaron Carter, 50 Cent, and even David Crosby.
Steve talks about what happens when you live a certain lifestyle, and you are making the kind of money to support that lifestyle at your peak. When you stop bringing in the money and are still shelling out the same amount of money you were before, then pretty soon you will bleed out all your cash.
It is important to stay disciplined and make sure you lock money away and work with a good financial advisor to protect your money from yourself.
Forum comments on the article
Grumpy says: "Great read, always respected Lee Priest. Remember his role in the movie Fat Pizza. Great article". He also says, "Sad his earnings are so low after a long career, but even the $700,000 home doesn't sound correct, you don't get much for that in Australia unless it's US dollars."
LevButlerov cites his earnings from Mr. Olympia:
1997 5th $15,000
1998 7th $8,000
1999 8th $12,000
2000 6th $22,000 (avg)
2002 6th $18,000 (avg)
2003 15th $2000
Total Estimated Olympia Earnings: $93,000
He also adds. "I think alcohol and recreational drug use were involved in his spending habits, especially when he had money. When I was researching Lee Priest, I watched this video with Lee Priest and Dave Palumbo where Lee explicitly admits to using Cocaine."
Pigsy says: "Lee Priest is undoubtedly the best bodybuilder out of Australia so far. I'm 2 years older than Lee, so I saw him on the rise, in the Australian scene. Then followed him in the magazines when he went to the US.
I would estimate Lee's wealth at $2 2million. His love for cars was his biggest expense. And drag racing in the US.
In the last couple of years. He bought a new Mustang, then highly modified it, sold it, and bought a '69 Mustang show car. Which he took to local shows and won trophies. Sold that and bought an Austin Martin.
You have to love his straight-shooting approach on podcasts.
Long live Lee Priest
Lee has mentioned drug use in some podcasts, but most of his money, he spent on cars."
Toddthelineman says: "Seems like he’s better now. That stuff follows money, and it seems low at first. $20 one night, $40 another. $1000 weekend. Then you look back and it was every night for a year, you’ve successfully hidden it from… nobody… and you’re surrounded by the worst people."
NoahWixx says: "The money aspect is what is the most interesting aspect, even in 2025 while prize money has gotten better, overall unless you compete and make it to the top shows and place you make zero money in this sport, I wish shows and promoters were not so damn greedy, the things we as body builders have to go through and do for the love of the sport, it would be nice to see better support from a monetary standpoint.
Lee is arguably one of the best to ever do it and has one of the best looking physiques throughout his entire career, always been a fan of his style and outspoken nature."
CEO says: "bros, he got small man syndrome if you ask me, which explains his car passion. Going on podcasts and insulting people or saying brave things isn't something to love. Would love for him to say the same thing to someone's face lol. he won't. It would be Will Smith vs. Chris Rock part 2, and he would get slapped and cry about it like a bitch. He is a troll. I lost respect for him after he dropped the bad language on 1 podcast, said a word you should never say over and over again. Then, on social media, he insulted the mother of a child who died from a gator attack. He said she should never have let him swim in the water. Just a stupid thing to say, you can have gators in any lake in the south, I'm from Bama originally, they're in all lakes. Sharks in the ocean. I guess you shouldn't let a kid enjoy the water ever, cause .001% chance they could get hurt. You never insult a parent after their child dies. If I were a husband, I would have whipped his midget ass over that"
Ulter says, "Ran into him years ago at an expo in Orlando. He isn't 5'4'' IMO. He is shorter. I would peg him more like 5'2'' I would say most of his demeanor and attitude online is fake, and him being a phony. In person, he is so small that he would never say those things. Also, when I shook his hand, it felt like I was shaking a female's hand. I didn't feel like he had much respect for others; likely a poor upbringing. He has a heck of a physique, but I think his height prevented him from ever sniffing a decent win at the O."
Roidders says: "Wow, this is a cool little article. Had no idea he was into cars like this. I think a lot of people have hobbies that you wouldn't expect. It is amazing how some people like sports, some people like cars, some people like the outdoors, etc. Everyone has their personalities. Lee was a great bodybuilder, I think he finished 5th place at Mr. O one year. Would be curious to see a write-up of his BB history."
Forums
Forums on our forums? read on:
My goals are long-term and sustained gains I don’t want to put on Fast gains and then lose it all. This is why I want to try deca this time. Its my 3rd time using steroids and I’m 30 years Read More..........
I’m an experienced steroid user. Been using them for about 10 years. Experimented with many different options but never did tren and deca Read More.........
25 years old 5’8’’ 180 pounds so I’ve been using deca for the past 10 weeks. Didn’t have any issues for half the cycle, but over the last few weeks my pecker hasn’t Read More.........
I’m currently 28 years old and this will be the second time I’ve used steroids. The first steroid cycle I did was testosterone 300 mg a week and it was okay but nothing Read More.........
25 years old and this is my third cycle and I’m 185 lbs and 5’6”. By far my favorite cycle of all time has to be testosterone + dianabol Read More..........
References
- Genetics and epidemiology of mutational barcode-defined clonal hematopoiesis
- Meta-analysis of the heritability of human traits based on fifty years of twin studies
- Macronutrient considerations for the sport of bodybuilding
- Bodybuilding Coaching Strategies Meet Evidence-Based Recommendations: A Qualitative Approach
- Recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: resistance and cardiovascular training
