Arnold Schwarzenegger, a global icon celebrated for his achievements in bodybuilding, acting, and politics, is also the proud father of five children. His marriage to journalist Maria Shriver in 1986 brought them four children: Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher. Despite his demanding career, Schwarzenegger made efforts to be a present father. However, a hidden chapter of his life eventually came to light in May 2011 when it was revealed that he had fathered a son, Joseph Baena, with the family’s longtime housekeeper, Mildred Baena. The news shocked both his family and the world.

The circumstances surrounding Joseph’s birth were particularly delicate. Mildred was pregnant with Joseph at the same time Shriver was expecting Christopher, their youngest son. For the first seven years of Joseph’s life, his true parentage remained hidden, even from Schwarzenegger himself. It wasn’t until after Mildred retired from her two-decade service that the truth emerged, during a marriage counseling session just after Schwarzenegger finished his term as California’s governor. This revelation led Maria Shriver to file for divorce, dramatically altering the family’s future.

Reflecting on that turbulent time, Schwarzenegger has described the discovery of his secret child as “very difficult, strange, bizarre.” He admitted that he initially tried to compartmentalize the situation and expressed deep regret over the impact his actions had on his marriage and family life. Mildred, for her part, explained that although she knew Schwarzenegger was Joseph’s father and he might have suspected it as Joseph grew older and resembled him, the truth was never openly discussed until much later.

In the aftermath of the revelation, both Mildred and Joseph endured intense media scrutiny. However, public focus eventually shifted toward Joseph’s own life and ambitions. Sharing his father’s passion for bodybuilding, Joseph began to carve out a path that included fitness and acting. Schwarzenegger supported his son’s interests, offering advice and even sharing a training manual he co-authored. Though initially reluctant to lean on his father’s influence, Joseph gradually welcomed his involvement, leading to a bond strengthened by shared workouts and honest communication.

Today, at 27 years old, Joseph Baena is determined to succeed on his own terms. Pursuing a career in acting and working in real estate, he has deliberately chosen not to use his father’s famous last name. Schwarzenegger, encouraging Joseph’s independence, stopped providing financial support after his college graduation, pushing him to build his own career. Despite the difficult beginnings of their relationship, Schwarzenegger and Joseph have developed a close, supportive bond, filled with mutual pride and affection as Joseph continues to forge his own identity.