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Arnold Schwarzenegger | Joseph "Joe" Baena | Source: youtube.com/@InsideEdition | Getty Images
Arnold Schwarzenegger | Joseph "Joe" Baena | Source: youtube.com/@InsideEdition | Getty Images

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Other Kids Avoid His Illegitimate Son despite Years of Growing up Together, Source Says

Ayesha Muhammad
Jul 26, 2023
02:05 P.M.
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger, known for his role in "The Terminator," takes pride in being a father to his five children.
  • Schwarzenegger loves and is proud of his illegitimate youngest son Joseph "Joe" Baena, despite the initial conflict his birth caused in the family.
  • However, the same isn't true for the actor's other children, who reportedly avoid their half-brother.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger is a renowned Austrian-American actor, bodybuilder, and former politician. He achieved global recognition for his role as the Terminator in the blockbuster film franchise of the same name. Schwarzenegger's imposing physique and charismatic presence made him stand out in bodybuilding, winning numerous titles, including Mr. Olympia.

He successfully transitioned into acting, starring in iconic action films such as "Predator," "Total Recall," and "True Lies," solidifying his status as an action movie superstar. In addition to his film career, Schwarzenegger served as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, focusing on environmental and political issues.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is pictured at the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation after visiting former Nazi German Auschwitz Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in Oswiecim, Poland, on September 28, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

Arnold Schwarzenegger is pictured at the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation after visiting former Nazi German Auschwitz Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in Oswiecim, Poland, on September 28, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

Besides making headlines because of his prolific acting career, Schwarzenegger's personal life has been a hot topic for newspapers and tabloids. In a revealing Netflix documentary, the "Predator" actor opened up about his affair with his housekeeper, Mildred Baena, in 1996.

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During the premiere of Schwarzenegger's Netflix show, "FUBAR," Joseph walked the red carpet alone.

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Mildred became pregnant and gave birth to a child just five days after Schwarzenegger's son with Maria Shriver, Christopher Sargent Shriver Schwarzenegger, was born.

Initially, no one knew Mildred's son, Joseph "Joe" Baena was Arnold's biological child and Christopher's half-brother. However, as Joseph grew up, Mildred noticed the striking resemblance he shared with Schwarzenegger, leading to the eventual revelation.

It wasn't until 2010, when Joseph was 13 years old that he discovered the truth about his paternity. The media publicly announced Schwarzenegger as his father, which shocked both Joseph and Shriver.

In a counseling session, Shriver confronted Schwarzenegger about the affair. Schwarzenegger said his "heart stopped" as he admitted to being Joseph's father, and Shriver was crushed by the revelation.

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Schwarzenegger described the affair as his biggest failure and acknowledged the pain it caused his family. He expressed remorse for the suffering Shriver, their children, Joseph, and Mildred had endured.

The "Commando" star recognized the need to keep the affair a secret, but eventually, the truth came to light, leading to his divorce from Shriver in 2011, after 25 years of marriage.

Over time, Schwarzenegger has worked on repairing his relationships with his children, including Katherine Eunice Schwarzenegger Pratt, Christina Maria Aurelia Schwarzenegger, Patrick Arnold Shriver Schwarzenegger, Christopher, and Joseph.

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Who Is Joseph Baena & How He Grew up with Arnold Schwarzenegger's Other Children?

Schwarzenegger's relationship with his love child, born from an affair with his housekeeper Mildred, has been reportedly complex and unfolded over the years. Growing up, Joseph spent time with Schwarzenegger's other children, and they knew him as the housekeeper's son.

The family lived together in the Pacific Palisades mansion from 1986 to 2003. Despite the shocking revelation, Schwarzenegger took financial responsibility for Joseph, including paying his college fees.

In 2010, it was reported that Schwarzenegger had purchased a four-bedroom house in Bakersfield, California, for Mildred and Joseph. Mildred was said to have worked for the Schwarzenegger family for nearly two decades and retired sometime in 2010.

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The disclosure of the affair and Joseph's paternity caused significant pain and led to the separation of Shriver and Schwarzenegger. Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, who had defended her husband against the allegations during his gubernatorial campaign, was devastated over the situation and emphasized her concern for the well-being of the children involved.

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Schwarzenegger has expressed his love for Joseph and acknowledged him as an extraordinary young man, despite the circumstances surrounding his birth. Joseph also shared that it took time for him and his father to grow closer and develop a joking and open relationship.

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In January 2014, the then-16-year-old Joseph was seen jubilantly waving his interim driver's license as he drove off in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon which his dad bought for him as a Christmas gift in 2013. The youngster was accompanied by his mother, Mildred, the former maid and lover of the action hero, Schwarzenegger.

While the family's relationships continue to evolve, there have been efforts to heal and rebuild. The hope is for all the children to have a relationship or at least be cordial with one another.

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Why Do Joseph Baena's Half-Siblings Reportedly Avoid Him?

According to reports, Schwarzenegger's relationship with his illegitimate son has caused strained dynamics within the family. While the megastar maintains a close bond with his youngest child, sources claim that his other children from his marriage to Shriver choose to avoid him and do not have a strong relationship with their half-brother.

During the premiere of Schwarzenegger's Netflix show, "FUBAR," Joseph walked the red carpet alone. At the same time, the actor was accompanied by his daughters, Christina and Katherine, as well as Katherine's husband, Chris Pratt.

The absence of Joseph alongside his half-siblings was notable, indicating their apparent estrangement. Sources reveal that the other children hold some resentment towards Joseph, possibly stemming from the affair and its consequences.

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Joseph has expressed sheer pride and joy in his father's achievements despite the strained relationships. He took to social media to share a photo from the premiere, expressing his admiration for Schwarzenegger, who he closely resembles.

However, the reported lack of closeness between Joseph and his half-siblings is evident in their limited interactions. Joseph was reportedly not invited to Katherine's wedding in 2019, instead congratulating them through social media.

Sources acknowledge the complexities of the situation, with Schwarzenegger admitting the difficulties his children and family faced. It is reported that the "Twins" actor maintains a strong bond with Joseph, often including him in various events. However, the strained relationship between Joseph and his half-siblings remains a challenge.

While Schwarzenegger loves all of his children, sources claim that the other siblings still "don't love" Joseph, keeping their distance and avoiding close contact with him. The situation appears tough for everyone involved, with another source sharing that the Schwarzenegger family continues to navigate the complexities with respect and understanding.

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