Arnold Schwarzenegger
Early Life
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, in Thal, Styria, a small village near Graz, Austria. He was the second son of Aurelia (née Jadrny) and Gustav Schwarzenegger, the local police chief. Schwarzenegger's childhood was marked by a strict upbringing and his father's favoritism towards his older brother, Meinhard.
Bodybuilding Career
Schwarzenegger began weight training at the age of 15 and won the Mr. Universe title at age 20. He went on to win the Mr. Olympia contest a record seven times. His breakthrough film was the sword-and-sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian in 1982, which was a box-office hit.
Acting Career
Schwarzenegger's acting career took off with the success of "Conan the Barbarian," and he became a leading figure in 1980s action films with roles in "The Terminator," "Predator," and "Commando." Despite his thick Austrian accent and limited acting range, Schwarzenegger became one of Hollywood's most bankable stars.
Political Career
In 2003, Schwarzenegger was elected as the 38th Governor of California in a special recall election. He was re-elected in 2006. As governor, Schwarzenegger pushed for various progressive policies, including a comprehensive healthcare reform and efforts to combat climate change.
Personal Life
Schwarzenegger married television journalist Maria Shriver, a niece of President John F. Kennedy, in 1986. They have four children together. In 2011, the couple separated after Schwarzenegger admitted to having fathered a child with a member of their household staff.