Charles Vinci: Relationships, Death & Net Worth

Lifting a barbell loaded with heavy-weight plates is not an easy task. It requires a lot of physical strength and mental control. And Charles Vinci was one of the people who mastered it.

Charles Vinci was a legendary American weightlifter. His power and great strength earned him a nickname, “mighty mite.”

During his career as a weightlifter, he had been successful in setting twelve world records.

He was also an Olympic champion. In addition, he has successfully competed in various other national and international games.

In this article, you will find detailed information you need to know about Might Mite from his childhood journey to being an Olympic champion.

Quick Facts

Before diving into detailed information, let’s have a look at amazing quick facts about him to get you started:

Name	Charles Vinci
Full name	Charles Thomas Vinci Jr.
Nickname	“Mighty Mite” and ” human dynamo”
Date of Birth	February 28, 1933
Date of Death	June 13, 2018
Birthplace	Cleveland, Ohio
Age	91 Years Old
Zodiac sign	Gemini
Moonstone	Amethyst
Origin	Polish
Nationality	American
Hair color	Brown
Skin	Fair
Height	4 feet 11 inches or 151 cm
Weight	123 lbs or 56 kgs
Profession	Weightlifting
Category	Bantamweight
Major Win	Gold Medalist of 1956 and 1960 Olympics The first position is 1955 and 1959 in Pan American Game The second position in 1955 and 1958 world championship
Father’s name	Thomas Vinci
Mother’s name	Marie Vinci
Brothers	Billy Vinci, Victor Vinci, and Angelo Vinci
Social Media	Not Available
Relationship status	Married
Wife	Dolly Vinci (first wife)  Edna Vinci (second wife)
Children	Three sons and four daughters
Net Worth	$1 million
Weightlifting Merch	Belts, Shoes
Last Update	April, 2024

Charles Vinci: Early Life, Education, and Parents

Charles Thomas Vinci Jr. was born on February 28, 1933. He was from Clevland, Ohio, the United States of America. 

His father’s name was Thomas Vinci, and his mother’s name was Marie Vinci.

Moreover, Thomas Vinci was a janitor, whereas Marie Vinci was a homemaker. 

He grew up with three siblings. His sibling’s names were Angelo Vinci, Bill Vinci, and Victor Vinci.

Vinci stated that he grew up in a family with a sports background. However, there is not much information about his mom, dad, or siblings.

Moreover, he dropped out of school in the eighth grade to pursue a weightlifting career.

Initially, he used to work as a shoe shiner in the local street.

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Charles Vinci: Age, Height, Weight, and Zodiac Sign

Charles Vinci was 85 years old at the time of his death. The weightlifters had extraordinary bicep muscles and chest.

He never said no to the workout and training. Working out was part of his everyday ritual.

However, he was short but intense. His height was just 4 feet 11 inches or 151 cm.

Therefore, everybody called him “might mite” as he was short and intense.

Similarly, he weighed about 56 kgs or 123lbs. Vinci had brown hair and a fair skin tone.

Born on February 28, Charle’s zodiac sign was Gemini. Like Gemini’s personality trait, he was competitive, enthusiastic, and friendly.

In addition, his moonstone was Amethyst.

Charles Vinci: Career

Charles’s journey started from fighting for his space in the street corner as a shoe shiner to competing in the Olympic games.

Hobby

Charles Vinci was interested in weightlifting from the beginning. His brother Billy owned a weightlifting barbell, and Charles would try to weightlift along with his brother.

The athlete was only 12 years old when he made weightlifting a hobby.

However, young Charles couldn’t lift a 105-pound barbell any higher than his waist as it was too hefty for a 12-year-old boy. 

Charles was fascinated by his brother’s ability to lift a hefty weight. He always wanted to become like his brother.

And, at the young age of 14, Vinci was able to lift the weight overhead.

Therefore, Charles Vinci, along with his other friends, started weightlifting, and for Charles, this hobby changed into a lifelong career in no time.

Y.M.C.A. Gym

After dropping out of school, Charles Vinci was set to accomplish his dream to be the greatest weightlifter.

In his free time, he used to go to the Central Y.C.M.A to train himself. But, he belonged to a low-income family, and he couldn’t pay for the membership.

Therefore, Charles Vinci used to climb up to the wall behind the gym, and that path led him to the back of the weightlifting room.

He used to practice every weightlifting exercise mentioned in the book. Seeing his determination and passion, everybody in the gym admired him.

Fortunately, he met Lt. Vince Ardito, who worked at the Clevland police department. Ardito taught Vinci how to perform C&J, snatch, and the press. And, young Vinci was able to learn it quickly.

After intense training, mighty mite could lift 180 lbs lift in snatch and 150 kg in press.

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National and International Championships

He developed many skills in Y.C.M.A gym, and after that, he felt ready to enter into the various competition.

Initially, he secured the second position in jerk and weightlifting in a local event.

Then, again he competed in Jr. National, and Charles won the competition. In the event, he lifted 225 lbs C&J, 190 lbs press, and 180 kg snatch.

Similarly, Vinci earned his first National Championship title in 1954.

In 1955, Charles took part in an open meet held at the Boston. In the open meet, by lifting 206-pound C&J, he made his first American record.

Internationally, he competed in Mexico for the first time. In addition, he competed in the Pan American Games, representing the United States of America.

In Pan American Games held in Mexico, Vinci became the gold medalist in weightlifting.

The weightlifter didn’t stop there, and again he became second in the World Championship held in Munich.

After competing in World Championship in Munich, Vinci again took part in Mr. Universe.

Charles couldn’t be the winner of the Mr. Universe, but he was placed at the seventh position.

He also traveled to several places like Asia and the Middle East with the USA team, and within one month, he made appearances in twenty-three exhibitions.

Olympics

America’s human dynamo had participated in Olympics twice. But, unfortunately, before participating in Melbourn Olympics, he became overweight. 

Therefore, he started training intensely, and he also had hair cut which made him fit to participate in Melbourne Olympics in 1956.

In the 1956 Olympics, Charles won the gold medal. He competed against Vladimir Stogov, who represented the Soviet Union.

In the game, he lifted 105 kgs in the snatch, 132.5 kgs in the C&J, and 105 kgs in the press.

Similarly, he also participated in the Olympics held in Rome. In the Olympic competition, he was again able to secure a gold medal by lifting 345 kgs.

In the three-part invitational against the soviet union, the human dynamo was placed second.

Also, he secured the second position in the Worl Championship held in Stockholm.

Again, in the National championship, he secured the fourth position. 

Charles Vinci: Injury

While Vinci was getting prepared and intensely training to participate 1964 Olympics, he suffered from a severe back injury.

So, unfortunately, he couldn’t compete in the Olympics.

Despite having back problems, Charles competed in trials held in New York and PA. He lifted 725 lbs.

Charles Vinci: Retirement

After recovering from injury, he again competed in Ohio, and he set the new record by surpassing 800 lbs.

However, after competing at the event, he retired from weightlifting.

Even though he retired, Charles used to train several hours a week. Specifically, he used to exercise at least three times a week.

He also helped youth who were dedicated to their goal and made them aware of the benefit of the exercise.

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Charles Vinci: Death

At the old age of 69, the plague blocked arteries leading to Vinci’s heart.

Therefore, Mighty Mite had to undergo heart surgery. In addition, at the age of 79, he had his heart valve removed.

Charles Vinci died on June 13, 2018, in Elyria, Ohio. The main reason for his death was congestive heart failure.

Charles Vinci: Marriage and Children

Charles Vinci married twice during his lifetime. His first wife’s name was Dolly Vinci. She was a very supportive person.

Unfortunately, however, she passed away soon due to a significant health condition.

He married Edan Vinci. Unfortunately, she also passed away. Charles has four daughters and three sons.

Charles’s children are Doreen, Sarah, Curt, Carl Chris, Dawn Cook, and Jeniffer Sheldon.

He was the grandfather of four grandchildren and great-grandfather of one great-granddaughter.

Charles Vinci: Net Worth

The weightlifter, so he must have accumulated enough wealth during his lifetime.

Besides, he also earned wealth by competing and winning many national and international games.

Therefore, the estimated net worth of Charles Vinci was $ 1 million.

Charles Vinci: Social Media

Former bantam weightlifter was not active in any social media.

Charles Vinci: Trivia

• Vinci was so tough that even at the age of 55, he could easily lift 400 pounds.
• After having the heart surgery, he continued weightlifting exercise.
• His rivalry with USSR national; Vladimir Stogvog was very famous. Therefore, fans loved to see them competing.
• During his early career, Charles got a chance to work for Bob Hoffman. He used to pack protein supplements.
• Vinci’s first wife helped him lift and load barbells in the crane so that Charles could train during his free time at work.

FAQs

What was the average annual salary of Charles Vinci?

There is no exact information about Charles Vinci’s annual salary. However, during his times, the weightlifter’s salary was comparatively low.

Why was Charles Vinci called a human dynamo?

Charles Vinci was called a human dynamo for his great power, strength, and endurance.