Arnold Schwarzenegger (Governor of California) Biography

American politician and film actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria, on July 30, 1947. Bodybuilder from Austria, he came to the United States in 1968 and went on to win four Mr. Universe titles and seven Mr. Olympia titles before retiring unbeaten in 1980. After participating in the documentary Pumping Iron (1977), he starred in Conan the Barbarian (1982) and its sequel, Conan the Destroyer (1984).

He gained international fame with The Terminator (1984), which went on to become a massively successful franchise. He was well-known for his remarkable physique and strong accent.Kindergarten Cop (1990), Total Recall (1990), True Lies (1994), and The 6th Day (2000) were among his other movies during this period. In addition to becoming involved in politics, Schwarzenegger held the office of governor of California from 2003 to 2011. Later on, he went back to acting, making appearances in films including Sabotage (2014), The Last Stand (2013), Terminator Genisys (2015), and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019).

Arnold Schwarzenegger Details

Born	30 July 1947 (age 76 years), Thal, Austria.
Nick Name	The Austrian Oak
Children	Joseph Baena, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Katherine Schwarzenegger
Spouse	Maria Shriver (m. 1986–2021)
Parents	Gustav Schwarzenegger, Aurelia Jadrny Schwarzenegger
Relatives	Chris Pratt (son-in-law)
Education	Santa Monica College UCLA Extension University of Wisconsin–Superior (BBA).
Height	1.88 m (188cm), in feet 6’2)
Net Worth	$500 Million

• Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July 30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, film producer, businessman, former politician, and former professional bodybuilder, best known for his roles in action films. He served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
• Schwarzenegger began lifting weights at the age of 15 and won the Mr. Universe title at the age of 20, followed by winning the Mr. Olympia seven times. He is considered one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, and He retired from bodybuilding after doing the bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron (1977) and gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action star, starring in the sword-and-sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian (1982) achieved success.
• Bodybuilder, Conan, Teerminator, and former Governor of California. He killed the Predator. He is here to pump you up. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Early Life Education

• Austrian childhood: Thal, a village close to Graz, is where Arnold Schwarzenegger was raised. His mother Aurelia Jadrny was a homemaker, while his father, Gustav Schwarzenegger, was the chief of police in the area.
• Athletic Beginnings: Arnold was influenced by his idol, Reg Park, to take an early interest in bodybuilding. He began bodybuilding competitions, both locally and regionally, and weight training.
• At school, Schwarzenegger was reportedly academically average but stood out for his “cheerful, good-humored, and exuberant” character. Money was a problem in their household; Schwarzenegger recalled that one of the highlights of his youth was when the family bought a refrigerator. Schwarzenegger’s father Gustav was an athlete, and wished for his sons to become a champion in Bavarian curling. Influenced by his father, Schwarzenegger played several sports as a boy.
• Schwarzenegger began weight training in 1960 when his football coach took his team to a local gym. At the age of 14, he chose bodybuilding over football as a career. He later said, “I actually started weight training when I was 15, but I’d been participating in sports, like soccer, for years, so I felt that although I was slim, I was well-developed, at least enough so that I could start going to the gym and start Olympic lifting.” However, his official website biography claims that “at 14, he started an intensive training program with Dan Farmer, studied psychology at 15 (to learn more about the power of mind over body) and at 17, officially started his competitive career.” During a speech in 2001, he said, “My own plan formed when I was 14 years old. My father had wanted me to be a police officer like he was. My mother wanted me to go to trade school.”

Bodybuilding Career

Schwarzenegger is considered among the most important figures in the history of bodybuilding, and his legacy is commemorated in the Arnold Classic annual bodybuilding competition. He has remained a prominent face in bodybuilding long after his retirement, in part because of his ownership of gyms and fitness magazines. He has presided over numerous contests and awards shows.

• Move to the United States: In 1968, Schwarzenegger moved to the United States to pursue a career in bodybuilding and ultimately become a naturalized citizen.
• Mr. Olympia Titles: Arnold became a dominant force in professional bodybuilding, winning the prestigious Mr. Olympia contest seven times (1970-1975, 1980).

One of the first competitions he won was the Junior Mr. Europe contest in 1965. He won Mr. Europe the following year, at age 19. He would go on to compete in many bodybuilding contests, and win most of them. His bodybuilding victories included five Mr. Universe wins (4 – NABBA [England], 1 – IFBB [USA]), and seven Mr. Olympia wins, a record which would stand until Lee Haney won his eighth consecutive Mr. Olympia title in 1991.

Schwarzenegger continues to work out. When asked about his personal training during the 2011 Arnold Classic he said that he was still working out a half an hour with weights every day.

Powerlifting/weightlifting

In addition to bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger participated in multiple Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting competitions throughout his early years. In addition to winning two weightlifting competitions in 1964 and 1965 and two powerlifting competitions in 1966 and 1968, Arnold Schwarzenegger participated in his first professional competition in 1963.

The Munich stone-lifting competition, in which competitors carry a stone weighing 508 German pounds (254 kg / 560 lb) between their legs while standing on two footrests, was won by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1967.

Personal records

• Clean and press – 264 lb (120 kg)
• Snatch – 243 lb (110 kg)
• Clean and jerk – 298 lb (135 kg)
• Squat – 545 lb (247 kg)
• Bench press – 520 lb (240 kg)
• Deadlift – 683 lb (310 kg)

Mr. Olympia

Schwarzenegger wanted to win Mr. Olympia in order to become the world’s best bodybuilder. On his debut, in 1969, he was defeated by three-time champion Sergio Oliva. But Schwarzenegger returned in 1970 and took first place, making him the youngest Mr. Olympia ever at age 23, a record he continues to own today.

He went on to win more in the contests of 1971–1974. In addition, he traveled over the world promoting vitamins. In Helsinki, Finland, for example, in 1972, he lived in the YMCA Hotel Hospiz (now known as Hotel Arthur) on Vuorikatu and gave vitamin presentations at the Stockmann shopping mall. Schwarzenegger defeated Franco Columbu to win the title for the sixth time in a row in 1975. He was back to his best. Following the Mr. Olympia competition in 1975, Arnold Schwarzenegger declared his retirement from bodybuilding.

Months before the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest, filmmakers George Butler and Robert Fiore persuaded Schwarzenegger to compete and film his training in the bodybuilding documentary called Pumping Iron. Schwarzenegger had only three months to prepare for the competition, after losing significant weight to appear in the film Stay Hungry with Jeff Bridges. Although significantly taller and heavier, Lou Ferrigno proved not to be a threat, and a lighter-than-usual Schwarzenegger convincingly won the 1975 Mr. Olympia.

Schwarzenegger came out of retirement, however, to compete in the 1980 Mr. Olympia. Schwarzenegger was training for his role in Conan, and he got into such good shape because of the running, horseback riding and sword training, that he decided he wanted to win the Mr. Olympia contest one last time. He kept this plan a secret in the event that a training accident would prevent his entry and cause him to lose face. Schwarzenegger had been hired to provide color commentary for network television when he announced at the eleventh hour that, while he was there, “Why not compete?” Schwarzenegger ended up winning the event with only seven weeks of preparation. Having been declared Mr. Olympia for a seventh time, Schwarzenegger then officially retired from competition.

List of competitions

Arnold Schwarzenegger in bodybuilding competitions

Year	Competition	Location	Result and notes
1965	Junior Mr. Europe	Germany	1st
1966	Best Built Man of Europe	Germany	1st
1966	Mr. Europe	Germany	1st
1966	International Powerlifting Championship	Germany	1st
1966	NABBA Mr. Universe amateur	London	2nd to Chet Yorton
1967	NABBA Mr. Universe amateur	London	1st
1968	NABBA Mr. Universe professional	London	1st
1968	German Powerlifting Championship	Germany	1st
1968	IFBB Mr. International	Mexico	1st
1968	IFBB Mr. Universe	Florida	2nd to Frank Zane
1969	IFBB Mr. Universe amateur	New York	1st
1969	NABBA Mr. Universe professional	London	1st
1969	Mr. Olympia	New York	2nd to Sergio Oliva
1970	NABBA Mr. Universe professional	London	1st (defeated his idol Reg Park)
1970	AAU Mr. World	Columbus, Ohio	1st (defeated Sergio Oliva for the first time)
1970	Mr. Olympia	New York	1st
1971	Mr. Olympia	Paris	1st
1972	Mr. Olympia	Essen, Germany	1st
1973	Mr. Olympia	New York	1st
1974	Mr. Olympia	New York	1st
1975	Mr. Olympia	Pretoria, South Africa	1st (subject of the documentary Pumping Iron)
1980	Mr. Olympia	Sydney	1st (subject of the documentary The Comeback)

Statistics

• Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
• Contest weight: 235 lb (107 kg)—the lightest in 1980 Mr. Olympia: around 225 lb (102 kg), the heaviest in 1974 Mr. Olympia: around 250 lb (110 kg)
• Off-season weight: 260 lb (118 kg)
• Chest: 57 in (1,400 mm)
• Waist: 33 in (840 mm)
• Arms: 22 in (560 mm)
• Thighs: 29.5 in (750 mm)
• Calves: 20 in (510 mm)

Acting career

• Hollywood Debut: Schwarzenegger transitioned to acting, making his Hollywood debut in the film “Hercules in New York” (1970).
• Breakthrough – Conan the Barbarian (1982): He gained widespread recognition for his role as Conan in the fantasy film “Conan the Barbarian.”
• Terminator Franchise: Schwarzenegger achieved international stardom with his portrayal of the cyborg assassin in James Cameron’s “The Terminator” (1984). He reprised the role in several sequels, including “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991) and “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” (2003).
• Commando (1985), Predator (1987), and Total Recall (1990): Schwarzenegger starred in a series of highly successful action films during the 1980s and 1990s.

Early roles

In 1970, Schwarzenegger’s dream of transitioning from bodybuilding to acting came true when he was cast in the lead role of Hercules in New York. His accent in the movie was so heavy that his lines had to be dubbed after production, even though he was given credit under the stage name “Arnold Strong”. His next role was in a considerably bigger role in the movie Stay Hungry (1976), for which he won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor. His second film appearance was as a mob hitman in The Long Goodbye (1973).

In his own words, “It was very difficult for me in the beginning – I was told by agents and casting people that my body was ‘too weird,’ that I had a funny accent, and that my name was too long.” Schwarzenegger has talked about his early problems in starting his acting career. You name it, and they told me I had to change it. Basically, I heard that I had no chance everywhere I looked.”

Schwarzenegger drew attention and boosted his profile in the bodybuilding film Pumping Iron (1977), elements of which were dramatized. In 1991, he purchased the rights to the film, its outtakes, and associated still photography. In 1977, he made guest appearances in single episodes of the ABC sitcom The San Pedro Beach Bums and the ABC police procedural The Streets of San Francisco. Schwarzenegger auditioned for the title role of The Incredible Hulk, but did not win the role because of his height. Later, Lou Ferrigno got the part of Dr. David Banner’s alter ego. Schwarzenegger appeared with Kirk Douglas and Ann-Margret in the 1979 comedy The Villain. In 1980, he starred in a biographical film of the 1950s actress Jayne Mansfield as Mansfield’s husband, Mickey Hargitay.

Arnold Schwarzenegger movies

Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a prolific career in Hollywood, starring in a wide range of films that showcase his action-hero persona and versatility as an actor. Here is a selection of notable movies featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger:

1970s:

• Hercules in New York (1970) – Schwarzenegger’s debut film, where he played the title role.
• Stay Hungry (1976) – A drama film in which Schwarzenegger had a supporting role alongside Jeff Bridges and Sally Field.

1980s:

• Conan the Barbarian (1982) – Schwarzenegger starred as the titular character in this fantasy film.

• Conan the Destroyer (1984) – The sequel to “Conan the Barbarian,” with Schwarzenegger reprising his role.
• The Terminator (1984) – Schwarzenegger’s iconic role as the Terminator, a cyborg assassin.
• Commando (1985) – A high-octane action film where Schwarzenegger played a retired special forces operative.
• Predator (1987) – Schwarzenegger starred as the leader of a military rescue team hunted by an extraterrestrial creature.
• The Running Man (1987) – A dystopian sci-fi film based on a Stephen King novel.
• Twins (1988) – A comedy in which Schwarzenegger starred alongside Danny DeVito as unlikely twin brothers.
• Total Recall (1990) – A science fiction film directed by Paul Verhoeven, based on a story by Philip K. Dick.

1990s:

• Kindergarten Cop (1990) – Schwarzenegger played a tough cop undercover as a kindergarten teacher in this action-comedy.

• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) – The highly successful sequel to “The Terminator.”
• Last Action Hero (1993) – A metafictional action-comedy where a young boy enters the world of his favourite action hero, played by Schwarzenegger.
• True Lies (1994) – Directed by James Cameron, Schwarzenegger played a secret spy leading a double life.
• Junior (1994) – A comedy in which Schwarzenegger portrays a scientist who undergoes a pregnancy experiment.
• Eraser (1996) – An action thriller where Schwarzenegger played a U.S. Marshal involved in witness protection.
• Jingle All the Way (1996) – A family comedy in which Schwarzenegger played a father on a quest for the perfect Christmas toy.
• Batman & Robin (1997) – Schwarzenegger portrayed the villain Mr. Freeze in this instalment of the Batman film series.

The 2000s and Beyond

• The 6th Day (2000) – A sci-fi action film exploring cloning and identity.

• Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) – Schwarzenegger reprised his role as the Terminator.
• The Expendables (2010) – An ensemble action film featuring Schwarzenegger alongside other action stars.
• The Last Stand (2013) – Schwarzenegger starred as a small-town sheriff in this action film.
• Escape Plan (2013) – An action thriller co-starring Sylvester Stallone.
• Terminator Genisys (2015) – Schwarzenegger returned to the Terminator franchise.
• Aftermath (2017) – A drama film inspired by a real-life aviation accident.
• Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) – Schwarzenegger reprised his role as the Terminator.

Political Career

• Governor of California: Schwarzenegger entered politics and was elected as the Governor of California in a recall election in 2003. He served two terms from 2003 to 2011.
• Business Ventures
• Entrepreneurship: Schwarzenegger has been involved in various business ventures, including real estate, investments, and a successful line of fitness-related products.
• Personal Life
• Marriage and Family: Schwarzenegger was married to Maria Shriver, a member of the Kennedy family, from 1986 to 2011. The couple has four children.
• Philanthropy: Arnold has been involved in philanthropy, supporting various causes, including after-school programs and children’s health initiatives.
• Return to Acting
• Post-Governor Roles: After completing his term as governor, Schwarzenegger returned to acting, appearing in films such as “The Expendables” series and “The Last Stand” (2013).
• Terminator: Dark Fate (2019): He reprised his iconic role as the Terminator in this instalment of the franchise.

Early politics

I finally arrived here in 1968. What a special day it was. I remember I arrived here with empty pockets but full of dreams, full of determination, full of desire. The presidential campaign was in full swing. I remember watching the Nixon–Humphrey presidential race on TV. A friend of mine who spoke German and English translated for me. I heard Humphrey saying things that sounded like socialism, which I had just left.

But then I heard Nixon speak. He was talking about free enterprise, getting the government off your back, lowering the taxes and strengthening the military. Listening to Nixon speak sounded more like a breath of fresh air. I said to my friend, I said, “What party is he?” My friend said, “He’s a Republican.” I said, “Then I am a Republican.” And I have been a Republican ever since.

Reagan administration-sponsored “Stop the Madness” music video featured Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1985. In 1988, while he was a Republican and accompanied Vice President George H. W. Bush to a campaign event, he first gained widespread public recognition.

In 1990, Milton Friedman hosted the PBS series Free to Choose, which Arnold Schwarzenegger famously began with the following statement:

I truly believe that the series has changed my life, and when you have such a powerful experience as that, I think you shouldn’t keep it to yourself, so I wanted to share it with you. Being ‘Free to choose’ for me means being free to make your own decisions, free to live your own life, pursue your own goals, chase your own rainbow without the government breathing down on your neck or standing on your shoes. For me that meant coming here to America, because I came from a socialistic country where the government controls the economy. It’s a place where you can hear 18-year-old kids already talking about their pension. But me, I wanted more. I wanted to be the best. Individualism like that is incompatible with socialism. So I felt I had to come to America.

Schwarzenegger continues by narrating how, while in Palm Springs, he and his former wife Maria Shriver were getting ready to play a game of mixed doubles when Milton Friedman’s well-known show appeared on TV. “I recognized Friedman from the study of my own degree in economics, but I didn’t know I was watching Free to Choose… it knocked me out,” says Schwarzenegger recalling watching Friedman’s Free to Choose. I suppose I was really ready to hear it when Dr. Friedman articulated, supported, and clarified everything I had ever believed, felt, or seen regarding how the economy functions.” Many detractors claim that in later years, Schwarzenegger diverged significantly from Friedman’s economic theories, particularly after winning the governorship of California from 2003 throught 2011

Schwarzenegger’s first political appointment was as chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, on which he served from 1990 to 1993. He was nominated by the then-President Bush, who dubbed him “Conan the Republican”. He later served as chairman for the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under Governor Pete Wilson.

Between 1993 and 1994, Schwarzenegger was a Red Cross ambassador (a ceremonial role fulfilled by celebrities), recording several television and radio public service announcements to donate blood.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lifestyle

Arnold Schwarzenegger has led a multifaceted life that includes success in bodybuilding, acting, business, and politics. While specific details about his daily routine and personal choices may not be extensively covered, here are some aspects of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lifestyle based on available information up until my last update in January 2022:

• Fitness and Bodybuilding

Schwarzenegger’s dedication to fitness has been a consistent part of his lifestyle. He is known for his rigorous workout routines, which were a key factor in his success as a bodybuilder and contributed to his iconic physique.

• Career Success and Versatility

Schwarzenegger’s career has been marked by versatility. From bodybuilding to acting, politics, and business, he has successfully transitioned between different fields, showcasing a dynamic approach to his professional life.

• Entrepreneurship

In addition to his entertainment career, Schwarzenegger has been involved in various entrepreneurial ventures. This includes investments in real estate, a successful line of fitness-related products, and co-founding the restaurant chain “Planet Hollywood.”

• Philanthropy

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been involved in philanthropic activities, supporting causes related to children, education, and health. His charitable efforts include contributing to after-school programs and initiatives focused on promoting physical fitness.

• Political Career

Schwarzenegger’s foray into politics is a significant aspect of his life. Serving as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, he brought attention to environmental issues, education, and other policy matters during his tenure.

• Personal Life

Family has been an important aspect of Schwarzenegger’s personal life. He was married to Maria Shriver, a member of the Kennedy family, and they have four children together. The couple went through a publicized divorce in 2011.

• Social Media Presence

Schwarzenegger is active on social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter, where he shares updates about his life, achievements, and messages related to fitness and motivation.

• Public Speaking and Motivational Endeavors

Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for his motivational speeches and has shared insights into his success and life philosophy. He often engages in public speaking events, inspiring others to set and achieve goals.

• Return to Acting

After his time as Governor of California, Schwarzenegger returned to acting, indicating a continued passion for the entertainment industry. He reprised iconic roles in films like “The Expendables” series and “Terminator: Dark Fate.”

Retirement

Following his election as California’s governor, he had two cinematic appearances: a brief cameo in The Rundown and the 2004 version of Around the World in 80 Days. He made an appearance in the movie The Kid & I in 2005 as himself. He provided the voice of Baron von Steuben in the “Valley Forge” episode of Liberty’s Kids. Although he denied being involved, he was eventually glimpsed in Terminator Salvation when his visage was added from stock footage of the first Terminator film. He had been rumored to be appearing in the film as the original T-800. Schwarzenegger made a brief cameo appearance in Sylvester Stallone’s film The Expendables.

Return to acting

• Shortly after quitting his job in California, Arnold Schwarzenegger declared in January 2011 that he was reading a number of new scripts for upcoming movies. Among them was Randall Wallace’s action thriller With Wings as Eagles, which is based on a true incident and takes place during World War II.
• At the Arnold Seminar at the Arnold Classic on March 6, 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger disclosed that he was “packaging” a comic book character and that he was being considered for multiple projects, including remakes of Predator and The Running Man and The Terminator sequels. Subsequently, the identity of the character was disclosed as the Governator, the protagonist of the eponymous comic book and animated series. Stan Lee, who was going to produce the series, and Arnold Schwarzenegger collaborated on the character’s development and inspiration. The Governator would have been narrated by Schwarzenegger.
• On May 20, 2011, Schwarzenegger’s entertainment counsel announced that all film projects currently in development were being halted: “Schwarzenegger is focusing on personal matters and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or timelines.” On July 11, 2011, it was announced that Schwarzenegger was considering a comeback film, despite legal problems related to his divorce. He starred in The Expendables 2 (2012) as Trench Mauser, and starred in The Last Stand (2013), his first leading role in 10 years, and Escape Plan (2013), his first co-starring role alongside Sylvester Stallone. He starred in Sabotage, released in March 2014, and returned as Trench Mauser in The Expendables 3, released in August 2014. He starred in the fifth Terminator film Terminator Genisys in 2015, and would reprise his role as Conan the Barbarian in The Legend of Conan, later renamed Conan the Conqueror. However, in April 2017, producer Chris Morgan stated that Universal had dropped the project, although there was a possibility of a TV show. The story of the film was supposed to be set 30 years after the first, with some inspiration from Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven.
• On February 6, 2018, Amazon Studios announced they were working with Schwarzenegger to develop a new series entitled Outrider in which he will star and executive produce. The western-drama set in the Oklahoma Indian Territory in the late 19th century will follow a deputy (portrayed by Schwarzenegger) who is tasked with apprehending a legendary outlaw in the wilderness, but is forced to partner with a ruthless Federal Marshal to make sure justice is properly served. The series will also mark as Schwarzenegger’s first major scripted TV role.
• Schwarzenegger returned to the Terminator franchise with Terminator: Dark Fate, which was released on November 1, 2019. It was produced by the series’ co-creator James Cameron, who directed him previously in the first two films in the series and in True Lies. It was shot in Almería, Hungary and the US.

Governor of California

On The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, August 6, 2003, Schwarzenegger declared his candidacy for governor of California in the 2003 recall election. In a large field of contenders, Schwarzenegger was the most well-known, but few Californians knew about his political beliefs and he had never held public office. Media outlets dubbed him the “Governator” (a reference to the Terminator films, see above) and “The Running Man” (a term from another of his films), and dubbed the recall election “Total Recall” (a reference to yet another movie starring Schwarzenegger). His candidacy became national and international news almost immediately. Schwarzenegger only participated in one debate, on September 24, 2003, and turned down invitations to engage in other debates with other recall replacement contenders.

Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger leans moderate. He claims to be both socially and financially liberal. In his capacity as governor, he consummated a same-sex marriage and has advocated for homosexual rights, including domestic relationships. But in 2005 and 2007, Schwarzenegger vetoed bills that would have made same-sex marriage legal in California. In addition, in 2006 and 2008, he vetoed two proposals that would have established a single-payer health care system in California.

Schwarzenegger’s early victories included repealing an unpopular increase in the vehicle registration fee as well as preventing driver’s licenses from being given out to illegal immigrants, but later he began to feel the backlash when powerful state unions began to oppose his various initiatives. Key among his reckoning with political realities was a special election he called in November 2005, in which four ballot measures he sponsored were defeated. Schwarzenegger accepted personal responsibility for the defeats and vowed to continue to seek consensus for the people of California.

Governor Schwarzenegger played a significant role in opposing Proposition 66, a proposed amendment of the Californian Three Strikes Law, in November 2004. This amendment would have required the third felony to be either violent or serious to mandate a 25-years-to-life sentence. In the last week before the ballot, Schwarzenegger launched an intense campaign against Proposition 66.

Although he began his tenure as governor with record high approval ratings (as high as 65% in May 2004), he left office with a record low 23%, only one percent higher than that of Gray Davis, when he was recalled in October 2003.

Environmental record

On September 27, 2006, Schwarzenegger signed the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, imposing the nation’s first cap on greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation established new limits on the quantity of emissions that manufacturing facilities, refineries, and utilities are permitted to discharge into the atmosphere. A second global warming bill that Schwarzenegger signed forbids big utilities and businesses in California from entering into long-term agreements with suppliers that don’t adhere to the state’s regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. The two proposals are a part of an overall strategy to bring California’s emissions down to levels seen in the 1990s by 25% by 2020. In 2005, Schwarzenegger signed an executive order mandating that by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions be reduced by 80% from 1990 levels.

As recognition of his influence on the US auto industry’s trajectory, Schwarzenegger accepted an invitation to open the 2009 SAE World Congress in Detroit on April 20, 2009.

Schwarzenegger established the R20 Regions of Climate Action in 2011 with the goal of creating a low-carbon, sustainable economy. In 2017, he advocated for the creation of a global environmental pact alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The biennial Vienna, Austria, Austrian World Summit is an international climate summit that Schwarzenegger founded in 2017. The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative is in charge of organizing the Austrian World Summit, which intends to unite leaders from industry, politics, and civil society in order to forge a wide coalition for climate protection and to pinpoint practical solutions to the climate emergency.

Business career

Schwarzenegger has had enjoyed a highly successful business career. Following his move to the United States, Schwarzenegger became a “prolific goal setter” and would write his objectives at the start of the year on index cards, like starting a mail order business or buying a new car – and succeed in doing so. As a result of his early business and investment success, Schwarzenegger became a millionaire by the age of 25, well before making a name for himself in Hollywood. His path to financial independence came as a result of his success as an entrepreneur and investor with a series of lucrative business ventures and real estate investments.

In 2018, Schwarzenegger partnered with NBA superstar LeBron James to establish Ladder, a company that developed nutritional supplements to help athletes with severe cramps. The duo sold Ladder to Openfit for an undisclosed amount in 2020 after reporting more than $4 million in sales for that year.

Personal life

Schwarzenegger wed Shriver in Hyannis, Massachusetts, on April 26, 1986. Patrick Schwarzenegger and Katherine Schwarzenegger are two of their four children. Los Angeles is where all of their children were born. The family owned vacation properties in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, in addition to their 11,000-square-foot (1,000 m2) residence in Los Angeles, California’s Brentwood district. They went to the Catholic Church of St. Monica.

After 25 years of marriage, Shriver and Schwarzenegger called it quits on May 9, 2011, with Shriver vacateing their Brentwood estate. A jury decided in June 2022 that Maria Shriver was entitled to half of her ex-husband’s post-divorce earnings, pension included, that he had accumulated between 1986 and 2011.

2016 presidential election

In the Republican Party presidential primary of 2016, Schwarzenegger supported John Kasich, a fellow Republican. But in October of that year, he declared that he would not cast a ballot for Republican nominee Donald Trump in the US presidential election. This marked his first time not casting a ballot for the Republican nominee since gaining US citizenship in 1983.

Post-2016

In addition to being a featured executive producer of the documentary The Game Changers, which shows the dramatic increase of plant-based eating in professional sports, Schwarzenegger has been advocating for eating less meat in recent years. The film was directed by James Cameron and others.

In February 2022, Arnold Schwarzenegger declared that he had been eating primarily plant-based food, or veganism, for the previous five years. He’s been vocal about the health advantages of a vegan diet, claiming it has made him feel “healthier and younger overall”. He acknowledged that it also assisted him in lowering his cholesterol.

Filmography

• Hercules in New York (1970)
• Stay Hungry (1976)
• Pumping Iron (1977)
• The Villain (1979)
• The Comeback (1980)
• Conan the Barbarian (1982)
• Conan the Destroyer (1984)
• The Terminator (1984)
• Red Sonja (1985)
• Commando (1985)
• Raw Deal (1986)
• Predator (1987)
• The Running Man (1987)
• Red Heat (1988)
• Twins (1988)
• Total Recall (1990)
• Kindergarten Cop (1990)
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
• Last Action Hero (1993)
• True Lies (1994)
• Junior (1994)
• Eraser (1996)
• Jingle All the Way (1996)
• Batman & Robin (1997)
• End of Days (1999)
• The 6th Day (2000)
• Collateral Damage (2002)
• Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
• The Expendables (2010)
• The Expendables 2 (2012)
• The Last Stand (2013)
• Escape Plan (2013)
• The Expendables 3 (2014)
• Sabotage (2014)
• Maggie (2015)
• Terminator Genisys (2015)
• Aftermath (2017)
• Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

Awards and honors

• Seven-time Mr. Olympia winner
• Four-time Mr. Universe winner
• 1969 World Amateur Bodybuilding Champion
• 1977 Golden Globe Award winner
• Medal for Humanitary Merit of the Austrian Albert Schweitzer Society (2011)
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• International Sports Hall of Fame (class of 2012)
• Public art mural portrait “Arnold Schwarzenegger” (2012) by Jonas Never, Venice, Los Angeles
• WWE Hall of Fame (class of 2015)
• Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy (part of the USC Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California) named in his honor.
• Arnold’s Run ski trail at Sun Valley Resort named in his honor. The trail is categorized as a black diamond, or most difficult, for its terrain.
• “A Day for Arnold” on July 30, 2007, in Thal, Austria. For his 60th birthday, the mayor sent Schwarzenegger the enameled address sign (Thal 145) of the house where Schwarzenegger was born, declaring “This belongs to him. No one here will ever be assigned that number again”.
• Inkpot Award
• 2014 Primetime Emmy Award winner for producing the documentary series Years of Living Dangerously

Government orders and decorations

• Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria in Gold (1993)
• Cavalier (2011) and Commander (2017) of the French Legion of Honor
• Honorary Ring of the Federal State of Styria (Austria, June 2017)

Arnold Schwarzenegger gives thumbs up to PM Narendra Modi, says Gujarat is California of India

Hollywood action-movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger today said he would be a “terminator” for climate change and asked state governments to follow Narendra Modi’s “actions” as Gujarat Chief Minister to achieve sustainable development goals.

The former California governor, who has earned a reputation as a climate change activist, thanked and lauded Prime Minister Modi for his work, including as Chief Minister of Gujarat, to push for sustainable development and clean energy.

He said “Gujarat is California of India” and Modi had certainly created “good action”.

Appreciating the progress made by Gujarat on climate change front, he said this showed that the state governments have tremendous power with them and they need not wait for the Central government for any action.

The film star, who is also the chair of R20 Regions of Climate Action – a non-profit organization – was addressing the 15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) organised by the Energy Resource Institute (TERI).