Emotional Arnold Schwarzenegger reflected on the difficult split from his ex-wife Maria Shriver and the “pain” it caused his family in a first trailer for his new Netflix documentary Arnold.
The 75-year-old acting icon’s rise from humble beginnings in rural Austria to Hollywood action man is chronicled in the three-part series, which hits theaters June 7 – with the ‘Terminator’ star discussing turbulent times in his private life thinks.
Schwarzenegger’s 25-year marriage to 67-year-old Shriver fell apart in 2011 when it was revealed he had fathered a son – Joseph Baena, now 25 – with a domestic worker, Mildred Baena.
Referring to the cheating scandal, a thoughtful Schwarzenegger said, “People will remember my successes, but they will also remember my failures.”
“It was very hard on my marriage, on my relationship with my kids.”
Devastating: The emotional Arnold Schwarzenegger reflected on his difficult split from ex-wife Maria Shriver and the “pain” it caused his family in a first trailer for his new Netflix documentary ‘Arnold’
Happier times: Schwarzenegger’s 25-year marriage to Shriver, 67, ended in 2011 when it was revealed he had fathered a son – Joseph Baena, now 25 – with a domestic worker, Mildred Baena (the couple pictured in 2003).
“I’ve caused enough harm to my family.” “I’ll have to live with it for the rest of my life.”
The series also includes never-before-seen footage of the star pumping iron and behind-the-scenes footage of his journey into politics – he eventually became governor of California.
Of his ambitions to conquer Hollywood, he said: “I saw myself on this stage.” Thousands of people are screaming: Arnold, Arnold, Arnold!
“And when you have a really clear idea of something, you believe that you can achieve it 100%.”
“There were a lot of things I had to learn, obstacles I had to overcome.”
The star detailed how he decided to get into politics: “You can get hurt and the whole sports thing is over.” But the one thing nobody can take away from you is your sanity. “I was looking for another challenge: politics.”
The star’s friends are filmed saying, “He had no staff, no real plan, he blew up the political system.”
Schwarzenegger said, “There are problems and problems, but I want to do the things that everyone thinks are impossible.”
Tough time: Alluding to the cheating scandal, a thoughtful Schwarzenegger said, “People will remember my successes, but they will also remember my failures.” It was very hard on my marriage, on my relationship with my children.
Maria and Arnold married in 1986. They have four children together: Katherine (32), Christina (30), Patrick (28) and Christopher (24).
Son: The star is pictured with son Joseph, whom he fathered while married to Maria
Thoughtfully: “I’ve caused enough harm to my family.” I’ll have to live with that for the rest of my life.
Hunk: The 75-year-old acting icon’s rise to fame from his humble beginnings in rural Austria to Hollywood action man is chronicled in the three-part series
“My vision wasn’t about giving up, it was about climbing the mountain.”
Speaking of his never give up mentality, the actor said, “You’re always hungry, you’re never really satisfied.”
“Whatever it takes, fuck your ass, do it, do it now.”
Shriver and Schwarzenegger tied the knot in 1986, nearly nine years after they first met. They separated in 2011 and finalized their divorce in 2021.
Joseph Baena was born on October 2, 1997, just days after Shriver gave birth to the couple’s fourth child, Christopher.
The couple didn’t have a prenuptial agreement, but according to TMZ, there were “never real custody battles” at the time and “they both quickly settled on shared custody.”
At the time of their split, they were worth an estimated $400 million.
In February, Shriver detailed her struggles with her ex-husband’s fame and how, due to the fallout from their divorce, she reached out to a Reverend Mother at a convent in hopes of feeling less “invisible.”
Fitness fan: The star has built an empire with his strong physique
The series also includes never-before-seen footage of the star pumping iron and a behind-the-scenes look at his journey into politics
Speaking of his never give up mentality, the actor said, “You’re always hungry, you’re never really satisfied.” No matter what it takes, give up, do it, do it now.
Looking back, he said of his ambitions to conquer Hollywood, “I saw myself on that stage.” Thousands of people screamed, “Arnold, Arnold, Arnold!”
Sit back: While painting, the star looks worlds away from his Hollywood killer figure
Family: Joseph is pictured with his mother and Arnold’s former lover, Mildred Baena
After their breakup, Maria turned to a nun because she couldn’t cope with the failure of their relationship.
The couple of Hollywood and political power may have put on a perfect facade, but inside, Maria felt lonelier than ever because of her ex-husband’s elite status.
On an episode of the Making Space podcast with Hoda Kotb, the journalist revealed that she had sought advice at a monastery to find peace and give herself “permission” to be vulnerable.
The Today special presenter explained that she is looking for “guidance” and wants to be “silent” after the divorce.
She added that while she had previously written about her experiences, she had never “shared” them before detailing what Reverend Mother said to her, which gave her the strength she needed to find herself .
After revealing she went to a “monastic monastery,” the journalist said she was given “permission” to “be weak.”
The journalist said the Reverend Mother told her, “I think you came here to get permission.”
Maria added that she felt like she was in a scene from The Sound Of Music.
During her stay at the convent, she was told, “You cannot come here, but you have permission to go out and become Mary.”
For the first time in her life, Maria felt a little less invisible and began “sobbing”.
“I never gave myself permission to do that — to feel vulnerable, to be weak, to be brought to my knees.” And I loved the world. And then I thought, “Okay, God, let’s go,” Maria said.
Because of her ex-husband’s fame, Maria explained, she often feels like she’s living in the shadows.
And it wasn’t the first time the Emmy-winning journalist felt the frustration of being around people who were in the spotlight, as the late President John F. Kennedy’s niece said growing up in a family who was the focus of public attention made her feel insecure.
“I grew up feeling invisible in an incredibly public, famous family. “There were a lot of really big characters in that family,” Maria said.
Shriver and Schwarzenegger were the “It” couple for almost 25 years, but they officially split in 2021 (Maria and Arnold pictured on their wedding day in 1986)
Moved on: Arnold is now in a long-term relationship with Heather Milligan (pictured January 2023)
She went on to explain that growing up, she felt like a “background noise” and that it continued until she learned her “lesson.”
To finally accept that she matters, she needs to see herself through her own eyes, rather than focusing on how others view her, the author said.
“It’s not about others seeing you, it’s about you seeing yourself.” And it took me a very long time to learn,” she told Hoda.
She explained that she got “angry” when people around her ex-husband or uncle didn’t take notice of her.
But then Maria began to appreciate herself and realized that she was the same as she used to be.
While the journalist understands and acknowledges that she’s had a lifetime of accomplishments — including winning an Emmy, publishing a book, and appearing on television — she found none of it made her feel “seen.”
She told Hoda, “What actually makes people feel seen and worthy is talking to them, sitting with them, calling them, slowing down … sitting on the porch and saying, ‘Me can’t go anywhere. I’m right here with you.”‘