How Arnold Schwarzenegger went from life on a farm in Austria to becoming a world-famous bodybuilder, actor, and politician

James PasleySep 2, 2023, 22:28 IST

Arnold Schwarzenegger in a scene from the Trimark Pictures movie "Hercules In New York."Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Arnold Schwarzenegger started lifting weights when he was 15 years old. Since then, he won 12 renowned bodybuilding titles.
He later starred in some of the biggest films of the 1980s, including "Terminator" and "Conan the Barbarian."

Arnold Schwarzenegger became a household name in more than one industry — from bodybuilding to entertainment to politics.

He got his start in bodybuilding. In 1967, he won Mr. Universe when he was 20 years old. He ended up winning it another four times, along with winning Mr. Olympia seven times.

For about a decade, Schwarzenegger was a Hollywood star. He was in a number of big films in the '80s, including "Terminator," "Terminator II," and "Total Recall," making about $35 million per film.

Later, he transitioned to politics. During his run for governor in 2003, 16 women accused him of sexual assault over the previous 30 years. He still won the gubernatorial election and served for two terms.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria on July 30, 1947.

Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was six months old.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

He was a skinny child, and his father Gustav, who was a policeman and a one-time Nazi Party member, reportedly beat him.

Arnold Schwarzenegger poses for a photo in a classroom when he was 11 years old.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

He began bodybuilding when he was 15 years old. He didn't see success in the sport as the end goal but as a way to get where he wanted to go.

A portrait of Arnold Schwarzenegger flexing his torso in an advertisement for a German protein product.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Bodybuilding was "a means to an end" for him, Schwarzenegger said.

Arnold Schwarzenegger shows off his biceps to IDF soldiers in Israel.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

In 1967, he won Mr. Universe when he was 20 years old. He ended up winning the title another four times, along with winning Mr. Olympia seven times.

Arnold Schwarzenegger lifted a friend in Austria when he was 18.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

He studied ballet to work on moving smoothly from one pose to the next.

Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1976.Jack Mitchell/Getty Images

In 1968, he came to America. He entered a bodybuilding competition in Miami and lost.

Arnold Schwarzenegger in a scene from the Trimark Pictures movie "Hercules In New York."Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Schwarzenegger decided he would never go back to Europe and moved to Los Angeles.

Along with politics and weightlifting, money was another focus for him.

Arnold Schwarzenegger runs with his dog outside his home in Santa Monica.Paul Harris/Getty Images

In 1970, his debut movie, "Hercules in New York," was released. He used the name Arnold Strong rather than his real name, but would never use it again after.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is in a carriage pulled by horses in a scene from the movie, "Hercules In New York."Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

It wasn't until 1976 when a documentary about the strange world of bodybuilding called "Pumping Iron" was released that things started to pick for him.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and the actress Sally Field posing for a photo.Bettmann/Getty Images

The following year, in 1977, he met Maria Shriver, the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and niece of President John F. Kennedy, at a celebrity tennis match.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver collect donations for Senator Ted Kennedy's 1980 Presidential bid at Flippers Roller Disco in Los Angeles, California.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

They married in Hyannis, Massachusetts, in 1986.

Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger on their wedding day.MediaNews Group/Boston Herald/Getty Images

In 1983, Schwarzenegger became a US citizen.

Arnold Schwarzenegger poses with Maria Shriver after becoming a US citizen.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Throughout this period, he continued to act and solidify his place in Hollywood.

Arnold Schwarzenegger films a scene for the film "Raw Deal" in Chicago.Juergen Vollmer/Popperfoto/Getty Images

But Schwarzenegger was yet to have a real hit. He wasn't an obvious choice for Hollywood — he had a thick accent, an unpronounceable name, and wasn't conventionally trained.

Arnold Schwarzenegger on the set of Conan the Barbarian.Dino De Laurentiis/Universal Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images

But Schwarzenegger was yet to have a real hit. He wasn't an obvious choice for Hollywood — he had a thick accent, an unpronounceable name, and wasn't conventionally trained.

From 1982 to 1991, Schwarzenegger was a Hollywood heavyweight. He starred in a number of big films including "Terminator," "Terminator II," and "Total Recall."

Arnold Schwarzenegger poses with a gun in “Terminator.”Universal History Archive/Getty Images

But his time at the top was relatively brief. After the release of "Last Action Hero" in 1993, his film career hit a slump and never really picked back up.

Austin O'Brien tries to prove to Arnold Schwarzenegger that they are really in a movie in a scene from the film, "Last Action Hero."Columbia Pictures/Getty Images

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Schwarzenegger embraced the Republican Party, speaking on behalf of Republican politicians including Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and former President George W. Bush in 2003.Don Tormey/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

In 2003, Schwarzenegger announced on "The Tonight Show" that he was running to be the Republican governor of California.

Arnold Schwarzenegger on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno.Kevin Winter/Getty Images

During his run, the Los Angeles Times published a report detailing six women accusing him of sexual assault.

Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Los Angeles Registrar's office in Norwalk, California, talking to reporters.Victor Spinelli/WireImage/Getty Images

An old interview published in 1977 in a magazine called "Oui" also resurfaced during his campaign and was met with controversy.

Arnold Schwarzenegger in a swimming pool with Nastassja Kinski and Debra Tate, sister of the late actress Sharon Tate, in Los Angeles, CaliforniaMichael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Shriver, who gave up her TV news job so he could run for governor, came out in his defense.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver at the "Benchwarmers" Los Angeles Premiere.Jason Merritt/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Despite the accusations and controversy, Schwarzenegger won the election.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver are applauded at his victory celebration after winning the California recall election in Los Angeles.Lee Celano/WireImage/Getty Images

The following year, his political acumen was so strong that people discussed the possibility of amending the Constitution so he could run for president.

Arnold Schwarzenegger gestures to the crowd as he leaves his town hall-style meeting in Irwindale, California.David McNew/Getty Images

When he left office in January 2011, his approval rating had fallen to 22%, though critics admitted he had done some good, including his work on climate change.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is sworn in for second term as his wife Maria Shriver looks on January 5, 2007 in Sacramento, California.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

But Schwarzenegger didn't disappear. In May, he was back in the news after publicly admitting to having had a child named Joseph with Mildred Baena, the family's housekeeper, in the 1990s.

Arnold Schwarzenegger looks over at Keith Morrison.Brian To/FilmMagic/Getty Images

But Schwarzenegger didn't disappear. In May, he was back in the news after publicly admitting to having had a child named Joseph with Mildred Baena, the family's housekeeper, in the 1990s.

Since leaving office, Schwarzenegger has kept busy. He appeared in new movies, campaigned for causes, and had his own "The Celebrity Apprentice," which was canceled in 2017.

Arnold Schwarzenegger poses for a photo at a red carpet event for “The Celebrity Apprentice."Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Since leaving office, Schwarzenegger has kept busy. He appeared in new movies, campaigned for causes, and had his own "The Celebrity Apprentice," which was canceled in 2017.

During the pandemic, he became popular on social media. He posted brash, funny clips telling people to wear masks or exercise and not to party.

Arnold Schwarzenegger appearing remotely on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon.NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

In an interview with the Atlantic, he said he's not done yet.

Arnold Schwarzenegger poses on Cannes beach during the film festival.Keystone/Getty Images

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How Arnold Schwarzenegger went from life on a farm in Austria to becoming a world-famous bodybuilder, actor, and politician

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria on July 30, 1947.

He was a skinny child, and his father Gustav, who was a policeman and a one-time Nazi Party member, reportedly beat him.

He began bodybuilding when he was 15 years old. He didn't see success in the sport as the end goal but as a way to get where he wanted to go.

Bodybuilding was "a means to an end" for him, Schwarzenegger said.

In 1967, he won Mr. Universe when he was 20 years old. He ended up winning the title another four times, along with winning Mr. Olympia seven times.

He studied ballet to work on moving smoothly from one pose to the next.

In 1968, he came to America. He entered a bodybuilding competition in Miami and lost.

Schwarzenegger decided he would never go back to Europe and moved to Los Angeles.

Along with politics and weightlifting, money was another focus for him.

In 1970, his debut movie, "Hercules in New York," was released. He used the name Arnold Strong rather than his real name, but would never use it again after.

It wasn't until 1976 when a documentary about the strange world of bodybuilding called "Pumping Iron" was released that things started to pick for him.

The following year, in 1977, he met Maria Shriver, the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and niece of President John F. Kennedy, at a celebrity tennis match.

They married in Hyannis, Massachusetts, in 1986.

In 1983, Schwarzenegger became a US citizen.

Throughout this period, he continued to act and solidify his place in Hollywood.

But Schwarzenegger was yet to have a real hit. He wasn't an obvious choice for Hollywood — he had a thick accent, an unpronounceable name, and wasn't conventionally trained.

From 1982 to 1991, Schwarzenegger was a Hollywood heavyweight. He starred in a number of big films including "Terminator," "Terminator II," and "Total Recall."

But his time at the top was relatively brief. After the release of "Last Action Hero" in 1993, his film career hit a slump and never really picked back up.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Schwarzenegger embraced the Republican Party, speaking on behalf of Republican politicians including Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

In 2003, Schwarzenegger announced on "The Tonight Show" that he was running to be the Republican governor of California.

During his run, the Los Angeles Times published a report detailing six women accusing him of sexual assault.

An old interview published in 1977 in a magazine called "Oui" also resurfaced during his campaign and was met with controversy.

Shriver, who gave up her TV news job so he could run for governor, came out in his defense.

Despite the accusations and controversy, Schwarzenegger won the election.

The following year, his political acumen was so strong that people discussed the possibility of amending the Constitution so he could run for president.

When he left office in January 2011, his approval rating had fallen to 22%, though critics admitted he had done some good, including his work on climate change.

But Schwarzenegger didn't disappear. In May, he was back in the news after publicly admitting to having had a child named Joseph with Mildred Baena, the family's housekeeper, in the 1990s.

Since leaving office, Schwarzenegger has kept busy. He appeared in new movies, campaigned for causes, and had his own "The Celebrity Apprentice," which was canceled in 2017.

During the pandemic, he became popular on social media. He posted brash, funny clips telling people to wear masks or exercise and not to party.

In an interview with the Atlantic, he said he's not done yet.