Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, filmmaker, businessman, author and former professional bodybuilder.
He began weight training at a young age and went on to become one of the most successful bodybuilders of all time, winning numerous titles including Mr. Olympia seven times.
Schwarzenegger then transitioned into acting, starring in blockbuster films such as The Terminator, Predator and Total Recall.
He also served as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
Schwarzenegger is known for his charismatic personality, impressive physique and successful career in both bodybuilding and entertainment.
Arnold Schwarzenegger early life
Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, in Thal, Austria.
He was the second son of Gustav Schwarzenegger, a police chief, and his wife, Aurelia.
Schwarzenegger grew up in a strict household, with his father being a disciplinarian who encouraged physical fitness and sports.
As a child, he was interested in sports and began weightlifting at the age of 15.
He quickly became passionate about bodybuilding and began competing in local contests.
At the age of 18, Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian army for a year, where he continued to train and compete in bodybuilding competitions.
After completing his military service, he moved to Munich, Germany, to pursue a career in bodybuilding.
Schwarzenegger trained under the guidance of renowned bodybuilder Kurt Marnul and won his first major competition, the Junior Mr. Europe, in 1965.
He continued to compete and win numerous bodybuilding titles, including Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia, throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Schwarzenegger also began to pursue a career in acting, appearing in his first film, Hercules in New York, in 1970.
In terms of education, he attended a local primary school in Thal and later attended a trade school in Graz, Austria, where he studied carpentry.
However, Schwarzenegger’s passion for bodybuilding and acting led him to pursue those careers instead of continuing his education.
Arnold Schwarzenegger children
Schwarzenegger fathered five children throughout his life.
Here is a brief overview of each of his children;
Name
Description
Katherine Schwarzenegger
Born in 1989, Katherine is Arnold's eldest child and his daughter with his ex-wife, Maria Shriver. She is a New York Times bestselling author and has written several books, including "Rock What You've Got: Secrets to Loving Your Inner and Outer Beauty from Someone Who's Been There and Back."
Christina Schwarzenegger
Born in 1991, Christina is Arnold's second child with Maria Shriver. She graduated from Georgetown University in 2013 and is currently pursuing a career in entertainment.
Patrick Schwarzenegger
Born in 1993, Patrick is Arnold's third child with Maria Shriver. He is an actor and model who has appeared in several films, including "Grown Ups 2" and "Midnight Sun."
Christopher Schwarzenegger
Born in 1997, Christopher is Arnold's fourth child with Maria Shriver. He suffered a serious injury in a surfing accident in 2011 and has since made a full recovery.
Joseph Baena
Born in 1997, Joseph is Arnold's son with Mildred Baena, who was his former housekeeper. Joseph was not publicly acknowledged as Arnold's son until 2011. He is a bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast who often shares his workouts on social media.
Arnold Schwarzenegger wife
Schwarzenegger’s wife is Maria Shriver, a journalist, author and former First Lady of California.
Shriver was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents who were both prominent figures in American politics.
Her father, Sargent Shriver, was a politician and diplomat who served as the first director of the Peace Corps and as the United States Ambassador to France.
Her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was a member of the Kennedy family and the founder of the Special Olympics.
Shriver attended Georgetown University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies.
After graduation, she worked as a television news producer and reporter for CBS News and NBC News.
She later became a correspondent for NBC’s Today show and a co-anchor of NBC Nightly News.
In 1986, Shriver married Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was then a rising star in Hollywood.
Shriver played an active role in Schwarzenegger’s political career, serving as the First Lady of California from 2003 to 2011, during Schwarzenegger’s tenure as Governor of California.
She is also a successful author, having written several books on women’s issues, including Ten Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Went Out into the Real World and And One More Thing Before You Go.
Shiver is also a philanthropist and has been involved in numerous charitable organizations, including the Special Olympics, which was founded by her mother.
In 2011, Shriver and Schwarzenegger announced that they were separating after 25 years of marriage.
The split was reportedly due to Schwarzenegger’s infidelity and the revelation that he had fathered a child with their housekeeper.
Despite the scandal, Shriver has remained a respected figure in American politics and journalism, and continues to be an advocate for women’s rights and social justice.
Arnold Schwarzenegger career
Schwarzenegger began his career as a bodybuilder, winning the Mr. Universe title at the age of 20 and going on to win the Mr. Olympia title seven times.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time and helped to popularize the sport in the United States.
In the 1980s, Schwarzenegger began to transition into acting, starring in a number of action films such as Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator and Predator.
He quickly became one of the most recognizable and bankable stars in Hollywood, known for his muscular physique and charismatic on-screen presence.
He continued to act throughout the 1990s and 2000s, appearing in films such as True Lies, Batman & Robin and The Expendables.
In addition to his career in entertainment, Schwarzenegger has also been involved in politics.
He was first elected as the governor of California in 2003, serving two terms in office until 2011.
During his time as governor, Schwarzenegger focused on issues such as climate change, education reform and healthcare.
He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the Special Olympics and the After-School All-Stars program.