Diana Dennis competed successfully in bodybuilding from 1981 to 1994. This is notable as female bodybuilding careers in the 1980s tended to be relatively short. There was still a great deal of resistance to aesthetic female muscle, many assessments were problematic, and female participants tended to be discouraged from dropping out and not realizing their full potential.
But Diana persevered, competing as an amateur and professional, and making a special mark on mixed pairs. t only was Diana always on top form, displaying lots of long lines and muscles, but she also displayed an artistic flair that wasn't often seen at the time. For example, when Diana initially couldn't find photographers who she thought were creative enough, she set up a mirror in the studio so she could come up with the most effective poses. This set her earliest paintings apart from most of her contemporaries. This caused me some problems when Diana and I started filming together. She wanted to use a mirror to set her own poses, but I told her to relax and trust me with the pose and the lighting. It took a while for her to rely on my artistic judgment, but when she did, we ended up with many excellent photos.
Diana Dennis was the first female bodybuilder to prioritize creating highly artistic photographs. That was her snake, by the way. Bill Dobbins
Diana's earliest success came in a mixed pair competition (where couples synchronize posing routines to selected music) with partner Kevin Lawrence. They won several titles including the 1985 IFBB World Amateur competition. Dennis earned her pro card by winning the overall title at the 1985 NPC Nationals. She then established herself as one of the top pro competitors by placing third at the Ms. Olympia that same year. She competed in a total of nine Ms. Olympia competitions and only finished outside the top ten once. As a pro, Dennis won the 1986 Los Angeles Pro Championship and the 1989 Pro World Championship. She was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2001.
w in her seventies, Diana Dennis lives in Las Vegas, where she works as a personal trainer, nutritionist and photographer.
Diana Dennis had one of the longest competitive careers in female bodybuilding. Bill Dobbins
Whether in competition, guest appearances or in front of the camera, Diana Dennis always caused a stir. Bill Dobbins
competition history
1994 IFBB Ms Olympia – 10th
1993 IFBB Ms. Olympia 15
· 1992 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 5th place
1991 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 6th place
1990 IFBB Ms Olympia – 7th
1989 IFBB Ms Olympia – 7th
· 1989 USA vs. USSR Invitational – 2nd place
1989 IFBB Pro World Championship - 1st Place
1987 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 8th place
1987 IFBB Pro World Championship - 4th Place
1986 IFBB Ms. Olympia 4th Place
1986 Los Angeles Pro Championship - 1st Place
· 1986 IFBB Pro-Am Mixed Pairs - 2nd place
1986 IFBB Pro World Championship - 2nd Place
· 1985 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 3rd place
· 1985 IFBB World Amateur Mixed Pairs - 1st place
1985 NPC Nationals - 1st Place (HW & Overall)
1985 IFBB Pro-Am Mixed Pairs - 4th place
1984 NPC Nationals - 2nd Place (HW)
1984 NPC USA Championship - 2nd place (HW) 1984 IFBB Pro-Am Mixed Pairs - 4th place
1984 Orange County Muscle Classic - 1st Place (HW & Overall) 1983 NPC National Championships - 1st Place (HW)
1983 AFWB American Mixed Pairs - 1st Place
1983 AFWB American Championship - 6th Place (HW)
· 1983 National Bodybuilding Fair Mixed Pairs - 2nd Place
1983 California Championship - 4th place (HW)
1982 California Muscle Classic - 1st Place (HW & Overall)
1982 Saddleback Valley Muscle Classic - 1st Place (HW)
· 1981 The Shrine Amateur Grand Prix - 4th place
When it came to props and costumes, Diana Dennis could always be counted on to be exciting. Bill Dobbins
