Arnold Schwarzenegger has spent the past decade redefining what a former governor does with his time — and his public narrative is more layered than ever. Between pacemaker surgeries, a long-term relationship, family dinners with an ex-wife, and a political evolution that has left many wondering where he truly stands, the 77-year-old is far from a static figure, with the latest health records, relationship updates, and political statements revealing the man behind the Terminator persona.
Born: July 30, 1947 (age 77) ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Net worth: Estimated $450 million ·
Governor of California: 2003–2011 ·
Number of children: 5 ·
Known for: Bodybuilding, Terminator, Politics
Quick snapshot
- Born with a bicuspid aortic valve (CNN (news outlet))
- Three heart surgeries including pacemaker in 2024 (KTLA (local news))
- Relationship with Heather Milligan since 2012 (CNN (news outlet))
- Endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 (CNN (news outlet))
- Exact current forgiveness status with Maria Shriver
- Whether he will ever re-run for office
- Full extent of his religious views
- March 2024: Pacemaker surgery (CNN (news outlet))
- October 2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris (CNN (news outlet))
- May 2025: Promoted fitness routine for older adults (CNBC (business news))
- FUBAR Season 2 on Netflix (production continues)
- Continued public health advocacy
- Potential political commentary ahead of 2026 midterms
Five key biographical facts, one pattern: Schwarzenegger’s life is a series of reinventions — from Mr. Olympia to Hollywood star, then California governor, and now a post-political elder statesman navigating health, family, and legacy.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | July 30, 1947, Thal, Austria |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Net worth | Approximately $450 million |
| Spiritual views | Raised Roman Catholic, now considers himself agnostic |
| Children | 5: Katherine, Christina, Patrick, Christopher, Joseph Baena |
| Pacemaker surgery | March 2024 (CNN (news outlet)) |
| Endorsed Joe Biden | 2020 (CNN (news outlet)) |
What is Arnold Schwarzenegger diagnosed with?
Schwarzenegger was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart condition where the aortic valve has only two leaflets instead of three. This condition has required multiple surgeries over the decades. The most recent was in March 2024, when he had a pacemaker implanted, as reported by CNN (news outlet). He described the recovery as routine and said it would not affect the filming of Netflix’s FUBAR Season 2, according to KTLA (local news).
What is the status of his heart condition?
- Schwarzenegger’s bicuspid aortic valve is monitored regularly, and his pacemaker was a preventive measure for arrhythmia, not a sign of acute crisis.
- In May 2025, he told CNBC (business news) that he cycles for an hour and lifts weights for 45 minutes each day, indicating he remains highly active.
The implication: even with a known heart condition, Schwarzenegger’s public messaging emphasizes physical capacity over limitation.
Who is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s partner today?
Since 2012, Schwarzenegger has been in a relationship with Heather Milligan, a physical therapist. They cohabitate in Los Angeles, according to CNN (news outlet). Milligan is notably younger than his ex-wife, Maria Shriver, and has been a steady presence in his public appearances. The couple have not married, but their relationship is widely reported as stable.
Is he in a relationship?
- Yes, confirmed by multiple sources. No engagement or marriage has been announced.
The pattern: Schwarzenegger has maintained a low-key private life since his divorce from Shriver was finalized in December 2021, focusing on family and health rather than public romance.
How is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s health right now?
As of mid-2025, Schwarzenegger reports his health as stable. He underwent pacemaker surgery in March 2024, which was described as routine by KTLA (local news) and confirmed by CNN (news outlet). He continues to work out daily, promoting joint and mobility health through a ‘You’ll Be Back’ initiative, as reported by Healthline (health news) in March 2025.
Does he have any ongoing health issues?
- His heart condition is managed with the pacemaker; no new acute issues have been reported.
- He has been open about the importance of staying active for people in their 50s, 60s, and beyond, telling CNBC (business news) that “excuses are not acceptable.”
Schwarzenegger’s health narrative is a carefully managed blend of transparency and defiance: he admits the surgeries but frames them as minor bumps on an otherwise unstoppable road. For aging fans, the message is that a heart condition does not have to mean a sedentary life.
This framing reinforces his image of resilience.
Is Arnold Schwarzenegger LGBT friendly?
Schwarzenegger’s record on LGBT rights is mixed. As governor of California, he signed pro-LGBT legislation, including domestic partnership laws, and he performed a same-sex marriage ceremony while in office, according to Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia). However, he vetoed same-sex marriage bills in 2005 and 2007, and vetoed bills that would have allowed single-payer health care — a stance that some LGBT advocates saw as inconsistent. He has publicly supported same-sex marriage in later years, aligning with his socially liberal image.
Has he supported LGBT rights?
- He signed domestic partnership laws and performed a same-sex marriage.
- He vetoed same-sex marriage bills twice during his governorship.
- After leaving office, he has endorsed candidates who support LGBT equality.
The trade-off: Schwarzenegger’s political record reflects a pragmatic moderate who supported some rights while stopping short of full marriage equality during his tenure — a stance that evolved after leaving office.
What is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s political belief?
Schwarzenegger describes himself as a registered Republican but has repeatedly criticized the party’s direction. He has called himself a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) in a 2023 interview (CNN). He endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in October 2024, according to CNN (news outlet). His political philosophy is described by Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia) as fiscally conservative and socially liberal — pro-choice with parental notification, pro-gun control, and supportive of environmental action.
Does he still consider himself a Republican?
- Yes, he is still registered as a Republican, but his voting record has consistently backed Democrats in recent presidential elections.
- He has stated that the party left him, not the other way around.
For voters in California and across the U.S. who are disillusioned with partisan polarization, Schwarzenegger embodies a vanishing breed: the moderate Republican who feels homeless in his own party. His endorsements of Biden and Harris signal that he prioritizes policy over party loyalty.
The catch: while Schwarzenegger’s personal political evolution is clear, it remains uncertain whether he will ever actively campaign for office again — or if his influence is now limited to endorsements and commentary.
Timeline
- 1947 — Born in Thal, Austria
- 1965–1975 — Professional bodybuilding, multiple Mr. Olympia titles
- 1984 — The Terminator released
- 2003–2011 — Governor of California
- 2011 — Revealed affair and child with Mildred Baena
- 2020 — Endorsed Joe Biden for President
- 2024 — Pacemaker surgery
The pattern: Schwarzenegger’s timeline is a series of public reinventions, each one generating new headlines — from bodybuilding to Hollywood to politics to scandal to health advocacy. The 2020s have been about legacy management.
Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Heart condition (bicuspid aortic valve) — documented by CNN (news outlet)
- Three heart surgeries, including pacemaker in 2024 — KTLA (local news)
- Relationship with Heather Milligan since 2012 — CNN (news outlet)
- Five children: Katherine, Christina, Patrick, Christopher, Joseph Baena — CNN (news outlet)
- Endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024 — CNN (news outlet)
What’s unclear
- Exact current forgiveness status with Maria Shriver (though a family dinner was reported in 2025 by TMZ (celebrity news))
- Whether he will ever re-run for office
- Full extent of his religious views — he has stated he is agnostic but was raised Catholic
Quotes
“I’m doing great. I had a pacemaker put in, and it’s just a routine procedure. It doesn’t affect my life at all.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his newsletter, reported by KTLA (local news)
“I am a RINO. I am a Republican in name only. The party has left me.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a 2023 interview, reported by CNN (news outlet)
Summary
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s post-governorship decade has been shaped by three forces: managing a congenital heart condition while maintaining a high-profile fitness regimen, rebuilding family relationships after a public scandal, and navigating a political identity that now sits firmly outside the mainstream Republican Party. For the millions of fans who grew up watching him on screen, the takeaway is that Schwarzenegger is still scripting his own story — one that prioritizes health, family, and a pragmatic brand of politics over party loyalty. For voters in California and beyond, the choice is clear: either embrace a moderate who crosses party lines, or accept that figures like Schwarzenegger represent a vanishing breed.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Arnold Schwarzenegger married?
No, he is not currently married. He was married to Maria Shriver from 1986 to 2021. He is in a long-term relationship with Heather Milligan.
Does Arnold Schwarzenegger still work out?
Yes, he works out daily. In May 2025, he told CNBC that he cycles for an hour and lifts weights for 45 minutes each day.
What was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role in Terminator?
He played the lead role of the Terminator, a cyborg assassin sent back in time, in the 1984 film and its sequels.
How did Arnold Schwarzenegger become governor?
He was elected in the 2003 California recall election, replacing Governor Gray Davis. He served two terms from 2003 to 2011.
What is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s educational background?
He earned a degree in business and international economics from the University of Wisconsin–Superior, and later studied at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Is Arnold Schwarzenegger still acting?
Yes, he continues to act. He starred in the Netflix series FUBAR (2023) and has several projects in development.
What languages does Arnold Schwarzenegger speak?
He speaks German (his native language) and English fluently.
Who is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son Joseph Baena?
Joseph Baena is Schwarzenegger’s son with Mildred Baena, born in 1997. He is an actor and fitness enthusiast.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.