Arnold on Netflix Schwarzenegger opens up about an abusive childhood

Arnold on Netflix: Schwarzenegger opens up about an abusive childhood with his Nazi father

Arnold Schwarzenegger has spoken candidly about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his parents during his childhood in the upcoming Netflix documentary, titled Arnold.

The 75-year-old Terminator actor famously grew up in Thal, Austria, with his military father Gustav, a Nazi party official during the war, and his “cleanliness fanatic” mother Aurelia.

In the first episode of the project, the Hollywood icon opened up about what it was really like for him and his late brother growing up as the son of a decorated Nazi soldier who returned to Austria a broken man from the war and continued to mistreat his family.

“Our upbringing was very tough. “The brutality at home, the beatings we got from our parents sometimes,” the True Lies star explained.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has spoken candidly about his

Arnold Schwarzenegger has spoken candidly about his “tough” upbringing in the upcoming Netflix documentary Arnold

The 75-year-old grew up in Thal, Austria with his military father Gustav, a wartime Nazi Party official, and his

The 75-year-old grew up in Thal, Austria with his military father Gustav, a wartime Nazi Party official, and his “cleanliness fanatic” mother Aurelia

The former governor of California explained that because Austria had become a country of “broken” men, all the children in his city were growing up in the aftermath of the war.

Arnold revealed his belief that his “bully” father may have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, as evidenced by the way he “slapped” his children and hit them with the “belt.”

The ‘Predator’ star also revealed that his father exhibited ‘schizophrenic behavior’ which meant his children never knew whether they were going to be the ‘good father’ or the one who would come home ‘drunk’ would get.

“At three in the morning he was screaming and we woke up with our hearts pounding because we knew that meant,” he recalled. “He could hit my mother at any time or go insane.” So there was this weird violence.”

He explained that his father became chief of the district police after the war and described him as a “tyrant” who was “very tough” in his role.

Gustav treated his home the same way, making sure there was “no kidding”.

“He thought he was supposed to keep the house disciplined…you had to ‘earn’ breakfast,” Arnold recalled.

Meanwhile, his mother cleaned the house obsessively, making sure “everything was perfect” or she would “go nuts.”

Arnold - pictured left, with his mother and half-brother Meinhard - explained that his father returned to Austria from the war a broken man and mistreated his family

Arnold – pictured left, with his mother and half-brother Meinhard – explained that his father returned to Austria from the war a broken man and mistreated his family

In 2004, Arnold first spoke about his painful childhood when he described how his father beat him to make him “compliant.”

Speaking to Fortune magazine, he explained, “I had my hair pulled.” I was beaten with belts. So it was with the kid next door, and so it was with the kid next door. It was just like that.’

Gustav Schwarzenegger (August 17, 1907 – December 13, 1972) was a Nazi soldier who fought in World War II

Gustav Schwarzenegger (August 17, 1907 – December 13, 1972) was a Nazi soldier who fought in World War II

“A lot of the kids I saw were broken by their parents, that was the German-Austrian mentality.” Break the will. They didn’t want to create an individual. It was just about adapting.’

He continued, “I was someone who didn’t conform and whose will could not be broken.” That’s why I became a rebel. Every time I got hit and every time someone said, ‘You can’t do that,’ I said, ‘It won’t be like this for much longer because I’m going to move away. I want that.” rich. i want to be someone

Despite what he suffered at the hands of his father, Arnold rebelled against the beatings and successfully pursued his dream of fleeing his homeland and becoming rich and famous.

When he came to America at the age of 21, he made his mark as an international bodybuilding champion.

This was followed by an acting career before serving as governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

Reflecting on his childhood in the documentary, Arnold explained that his experiences gave him the impetus he needed for his career.

“My father always said, ‘Whatever you do, Arnold, be useful,'” he said.

The action star, pictured bottom row, second from left, explained that all the children in his town were growing up in the aftermath of the war because Austria had become a country of

The action star, pictured bottom row, second from left, explained that all the children in his town were growing up in the aftermath of the war because Austria had become a country of “broken” men

In the documentary, Arnold also opens up about the fatherhood of 25-year-old son Joseph Baena with his former housekeeper, Mildred Baena, while he was married to his now ex-wife, Maria Shriver.

At marriage counseling in 2011, the counselor said at the time: “Today Maria would like to say something very specific,” he reveals. “She wants to know if you are Joseph’s father.”

The former California governor said, “I thought my heart stopped.” And then I told the truth. “Yes, Mary. Joseph is my son.’ She was obviously devastated.’

Arnie explained that both he and Mildred initially assumed the child belonged to her husband Rogelio and that she continued to work for the Schwarzenegger family. “I really didn’t know at first, but as he got older it became clearer to me.”

The documentary is one of several projects Schwarzenegger has been working on for the streamer as he also stars on the show Fubar.

Arnold is scheduled to be released on Netflix on Wednesday, June 7th.

Who was Gustav Schwarzenegger? Austrian Nazi military policeman who fought for Hitler across Europe

Gustav Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian army from 1930 to 1937, attained the rank of section commander and became a police officer in 1937.

After joining the Wehrmacht in November 1939, Schwarzenegger received appointment as Hauptfeldwebel (Company Oberfeldwebel) in the Feldgendarmerie, which functioned as military police units.

He served in Poland, France, Belgium, Ukraine, Lithuania and Russia.

He was awarded the Iron Cross, first and second class for bravery, the Eastern Front Medal, and the Wound Badge.

He was wounded in action in Leningrad (Russia) and then suffered repeated bouts of malaria, which led to his release in February 1944.

Considered unfit for active service, he returned to Graz, Austria, where he was posted as a postal inspector.

Schwarzenegger died on December 13, 1972 at the age of 65 from a stroke in Weiz, Styria, Austria, where he had been posted as a police officer.

In a 2021 video, Arnold publicly recalled how his father, Gustav, was frequently drunk when he was young and abusive to his family.

He attributed this behavior to guilt and shame at what Gustav and other Nazis and collaborators had done or enabled during the war.