Terminator actor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son Joseph Baena is stepping into the spotlight, making waves in the fitness world! The young sensation has already carved out a name for himself after joining season 31 of Dancing With the Stars in September 2022. Joseph, born to Arnold and Mildred Baena, is proving that he’s not just riding on his father’s fame. Keep reading to dive deeper into the life of this remarkable young man.
Arnold Schwarzenegger married Maria Shriver in 1986, and together they welcomed four children: Katherine Schwarzenegger, Christina Schwarzenegger, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Christopher Schwarzenegger. However, in May 2011, Arnold revealed a hidden chapter of his life when he admitted to fathering a child, Joseph Baena, with the family housekeeper, Mildred Baena. Joseph was born in 1997, coinciding with the birth year of Arnold and Maria’s youngest son, Christopher.
In a candid statement to The Los Angeles Times, Arnold shared, “After leaving the governor’s office, I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago.” He went on to express his understanding of the anger and disappointment his actions caused among friends and family. “There are no excuses, and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children, and my family. I am truly sorry,” he added.
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Arnold and Maria announced their separation in 2011, and their divorce was finalized a decade later in December 2021. Despite the challenges, Arnold cherishes the bond he’s built with Joseph.
In a 2015 interview with Howard Stern, Arnold reflected on his relationship with Joseph. “He’s terrific and he totally understands the situation,” Arnold said. “It’s a very tough situation for him, for my kids, for my family. It was tough for everybody. But it has happened, and now we have to figure it out, right?”
Joseph Baena is carving his own path, much like his iconic father. In April 2019, Arnold proudly attended Joseph’s graduation from Pepperdine University. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Joseph ventured into bodybuilding, a career Arnold himself once dominated. Despite his close relationship with his father, Joseph made a deliberate decision not to adopt the last name Schwarzenegger.
“My dad is old-school; he doesn’t believe in handouts. He believes hard work pays off, and so do I,” Joseph explained to Men’s Health in February 2022. “I love the word honor, and I’m very prideful in the sense that if I use my dad’s contacts or ask him for favors, I wonder what honor is that going to bring me?”
Joseph continued, “When I go to auditions, they don’t know who I am because we don’t share the same last name. And when I book a gig, I know it’s all me.”
Beyond fitness, Joseph is also a licensed real estate agent with Aria Properties in Marina del Rey, California. He’s ventured into acting as well, landing roles in Chariot, Scam Squad, and Encounters. Joseph was thrilled to join season 31 of Dancing With the Stars, where he partnered with professional dancer Daniella Karagach.
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“My whole family is really surprised that I took on the challenge because dancing isn’t really in our genes,” Joseph told Fox News after the show premiered in September 2022. “I’m here to break the stigma in our family.”
Joseph’s estimated net worth is reported to range from $1 million to $3 million, according to various sources. His thriving career as a fitness influencer and his success in real estate contribute significantly to his earnings. Joseph’s dedication and hard work have clearly paid off.
Joseph previously dated model Nicky Dodaj, celebrating their one-year anniversary in February 2020. However, by February 2022, Joseph revealed in an interview with Access Hollywood that he was single and open to new relationships. “I know having a girlfriend takes a lot of time and effort,” Joseph admitted. “Even though I’m willing to do that, my lifestyle doesn’t make it easy. I would love a relationship; I like to date, but I haven’t met the right person yet.”