12. Franco Columbu
Franco Columbu, a name synonymous with legend, left an indelible mark on the world of bodybuilding. Renowned for his immense strength, he may well be considered the pound-for-pound strongest bodybuilder of all time. His achievements included claiming the Mr. Olympia title in 1976 and 1981, and he shared the screen with his lifelong friend Arnold Schwarzenegger in the iconic documentary “Pumping Iron” (1977). Affectionately known as “The Sardinian Strongman,” Columbu’s feats of strength were awe-inspiring, with personal records boasting a 750-pound deadlift, 665-pound squat, 525-pound bench press, and a 400-pound clean and jerk. However, his extraordinary journey came to a poignant end when a heart attack struck him while swimming off the coast of San Teodoro, Sardinia. Despite efforts to save him, Columbu’s life was tragically cut short during transportation to a hospital by helicopter. He was 78 years old.