Arnold's Secret Son: The Scandal That Ended His Marriage to Maria

It’s only natural that Maria Shriver required a moment to comprehend the events that unfolded in her relationship with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

At one stage, she chose to reside in a convent, much like a character from “The Sound of Music” might do, as the mother of four revealed.

2023 saw Amanda Shriver share on the Making Space With Hoda Kotb podcast that she had never allowed herself to experience emotions, vulnerability, weakness, or defeat. However, the world ultimately brought her to her knees. She then expressed, “Alright, God, I’m ready. Let’s take this experience and learn everything I can about my part in it and what I need to understand.

However, it wasn’t until she began composing poetry that she truly untangled the predicament of Maria. It was then that a torrent of truth about what she had endured poured out, with numerous verses drawn from her new book “I Am Maria,” reflecting a realm of fear, shame, confusion, and darkness.

It wasn’t solely the collapse of her marriage with Schwarzenegger, following 25 years together and the final seven as governor and first lady of California, that caused those deep emotions within her.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share an insight I’ve recently gained: What seemed like grace and resilience during the initial phases following our surprising parting in May 2011 was actually a facade. Beneath that composed exterior, I was shattered, struggling to pick up the pieces.

In her book “I Am Maria“, Shriver expressed that it shattered her heart, her spirit, and what little was left of her. With the loss of her marriage, her parents, and a job, the wall of her lifelong denial simply crumbled away.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of President John F. Kennedy’s eight siblings, passed away in 2009, and her husband, Sargent Shriver, followed suit on January 18, 2011, two weeks after Schwarzenegger vacated his office. During this time, Shriver, a seasoned journalist, was not actively practicing her profession while her spouse served as governor.

Descended from America’s most prominent Democratic political family and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born Republican actor who worked under President George H.W. Bush, might not appear to be natural partners in theory, but they were indeed a formidable power couple in reality.

Previously, they had faced numerous challenges, one of which was allegations of inappropriate behavior against Schwarzenegger. Remarkably, these accusations did not hinder his political aspirations as he went on to win the California governor’s seat in a 2003 recall election, where he succeeded Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. (During a campaign event, he acknowledged his past misbehavior and expressed regret.)

When they parted ways, it seemed unexpected. However, it eventually became clear that it was not sudden at all.

In the Netflix docuseries Arnold (2023), Arnold Schwarzenegger reminisced about the time when he confessed to his spouse that he had fathered a son named Joseph Baena, who was born to their housekeeper Mildred Baena.

Because apparently Shriver had her suspicions.

According to the Terminator star, they visited a counselor every week, and during one session, the counselor remarked that Maria seemed particularly keen to ask something specific. She wanted to know if I was Joseph’s father, to which I was taken aback, feeling my heart skip a beat before I confessed the truth.

He himself hadn’t realized until then that Joseph was his son, as Schwarzenegger pointed out, but he had been aware of it for quite some time by that point.

In our work here, our team of writers and editors decide what topics we focus on and recommend. When you make a purchase through our links, TopMob may receive a commission. For more information, click ‘Learn More’.

The book titled “I Am Maria” penned by Maria Shriver offers a captivating narrative about the strength derived from understanding one’s identity, endurance in adversity, and the essence of accepting oneself amidst life’s hurdles.

Shriver felt devastated due to this, as he admitted later in the series. “I had an extramarital relationship back in ’96,” he explained. “At first, I wasn’t fully aware. As time passed and he grew older, it became increasingly apparent to me. Then, it was a question of how to maintain secrecy about it?

No longer a secret, Shriver had to absorb her husband’s confession.

In her book “I Am Maria“, she expressed that in the dark and feeling scared and isolated on the hotel room floor with tears flowing, she silently urged herself: “Maria, this isn’t where your story ends. It can’t be the end for you. Let it mark a fresh start for you instead.

Yet, this situation did not diminish the intensity of her emotional turmoil, marked by feelings of deep sorrow, bewilderment, rage, apprehension, melancholy, and apprehension. I found myself emotionally depleted and disconnected from the life I had once known.

In her writing, she expressed that the end of her marriage left her heartbroken, shattered her spirit, and reduced what remained of her identity. She found herself questioning her own self, her place in the world, and even who she belonged to. To be frank, it was a harsh experience, one that filled her with dread.

As a lifestyle advisor, I find myself in a unique position, being not only a mother to four remarkable individuals – Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher – but also a part of the esteemed Kennedy family, which carries a lifetime of public scrutiny. At the time, my children were 21, 19, 17, and 13, each adding their own vibrant energy to our household.

So she kept her cool.

And roughly five months later, she and Schwarzenegger announced their separation.

They declared in unison that it’s been a period marked by significant personal and occupational changes for all involved. After careful consideration, introspection, conversation, and spiritual contemplation, we arrived at this joint decision. Presently, we are residing separately as we navigate the future of our partnership.

A few days passed, and eventually, Schwarzenegger disclosed the birth of his fifth child. He mentioned that he informed his spouse about it following his departure from office.

He expressed his regrets, stating, “I’ve apologized to Maria, the kids, and my entire family.” He added, “I sincerely mean it.

In a later announcement, Shriver expressed, “We’re experiencing deep sorrow and emotional distress. As a parent, my focus is on the well-being of my kids. I kindly request understanding, empathy, and space as we strive to regain our footing and mend our hearts.

On July 1, 2011, she initiated the process of divorce, which proved challenging all on its own (even though the divorce wasn’t officially completed until ten years later).

In her 2018 book titled “I’ve Been Thinking…: Reflections, Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life“, Shriver expressed that she was raised believing divorce was a sin. However, she admitted she was utterly mistaken about this belief.

She expressed that she previously believed individuals whose marriages failed were simply giving up. However, she acknowledged her error. She appreciates those who strive in their marriages, but also respects those who forge a different path. Moreover, she holds in high regard those who maintain friendship after the dissolution of their marriage and aren’t afraid to embrace love again following heartache.

For quite some time, Schwarzenegger refrained from speaking about the affair. However, he eventually broke his long-standing silence in 2015, during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show.

The actor expressed, “This incident was undeniably my greatest setback and mistake. Not just a mistake, but one that leaves you thinking, ‘It’s all my fault, I made the error.’ There’s no one else to blame for it.

Despite his age, he consistently strives to excel in his role as a dad, as evidenced by his interactions with now 27-year-old Joseph. His reasoning is straightforward: “I want to give them my full attention. I want the children to understand how deeply I love them, and how amazing they are. Being a father brings me immense joy. I always aim to give my best and be as fantastic a dad as I can.

Arnold Schwarzenegger stated, “I’m incredibly lucky for my bond with our children and Maria, as well as with everyone else. We’ve overcome challenges and now enjoy a wonderful, strong relationship.

Back then, it’s uncertain if Shriver would have described their relationship as fantastic, but she agrees with that assessment now.

She shared on the March 25th episode of The Oprah Podcast with Oprah Winfrey that it took her a considerable amount of time to pardon herself and the entire situation. Now, she feels Arnold and she have a strong relationship, and there will always be love between them. Given their history, they met when she was 21, he’s the father of her children, and they are grandparents together. She doesn’t want bitterness or animosity towards anyone, preferring instead to avoid such feelings in her life.

Shriver stated that she didn’t want their children to need separate birthday celebrations, or for them to feel anxious about their parents maintaining harmony during their weddings. (For now, Katherine has three kids with husband Chris Pratt and Patrick is engaged to Abby Champion.)

Shriver added, ‘I didn’t wish for the incident between their father and me to negatively impact their future.’ Instead, I wanted to demonstrate a different path for them. I hope they won’t divorce, as I value marriage, but I want them to understand that it can be done successfully – it just requires patience.

Familiarize yourself with the extensive Schwarzenegger-Shriver clan, who have consistently gathered for a variety of joyous occasions.

Acquaint yourself with the vast Schwarzenegger-Shriver family, who have regularly celebrated multiple events together.

With his children all grown and leading their own lives, Arnold Schwarzenegger these days finds joy in his new role as a grandpa to Katherine Schwarzenegger’s three kids with husband Chris Pratt – Lyla, Eloise, and Ford. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in 2022, he shared that being a grandfather is effortless. “I spend a couple of hours with them, play with Lyla, have her on the horse and with the dog, and after two hours, they leave,” he said.

Maria married Arnold back in 1986, but they divorced in 2011 following the revelation that he had fathered a child from an affair. However, Chris, her son-in-law, admires how well they co-parented despite their high-profile lives.

In an interview with Today in May 2024, the Guardians of the Galaxy actor praised Maria for raising four exceptional children, stating that it’s not always easy in Hollywood or among privileged individuals. Chris expressed his curiosity about how she managed to prevent spoiling or ruining them.

Chris believes that Maria’s secret lies in holding her children accountable and instilling good manners, responsibility, and faith in them. These are values he aims to incorporate into the upbringing of their own children.

Patrick, born in 1993, is the eldest son of Arnold and Maria. While having parents involved in business can certainly be beneficial, he also credits his brother-in-law Chris for helping him land a significant role. In 2022, during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel about his role in Amazon Prime Video’s series “The Terminal List”, Patrick recounted Chris saying, “Hey, there’s this young character, Donny Mitchell, you’ll be the youngest in the platoon.” If he wanted to secure this part, Chris advised him to immerse himself in the role and gain 20 pounds, learn tactical training, and understand their movements, body language, and other details.

Training with real-life Navy SEALs was a dream come true for Patrick. Following his role in “The Terminal List”, he went on to play Saxon Ratliff on “The White Lotus” and Tim Tebow in FX’s “American Sports Story”. Despite his connections, Patrick emphasizes the effort he puts into his craft.

In an interview with The Sunday Times in February 2025, he addressed the assumption that his role on “The White Lotus” was given due to his family ties, stating, “There are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is. They’re not seeing that I’ve had 10 years of acting classes, put on school plays every week, worked on my characters for hours on end or the hundreds of rejected auditions I’ve been on.”

Patrick is set to take on a new role: husband. He proposed to model Abby Champion in December 2023.

Currently, Katherine Schwarzenegger is the eldest among the Schwarzenegger siblings, born to Arnold and Maria in 1989. Now, the author of “The Gift of Forgiveness” is a mother herself, having married Chris Pratt in 2019 after a year of courtship. In 2020, they became parents to their daughter Lyla, followed by Eloise in 2022 and Ford in 2024. Upon becoming a mother, she expressed that it was the culmination of all her life’s experiences, feeling as if everything had led her to that moment. She added that being a mom has been a role she has longed for and anticipated since childhood. Furthermore, Katherine also shares a stepson named Jack, who Chris and his ex-wife Anna Faris welcomed in 2012.

For Chris, prioritizing family is a constant, yet he experienced criticism in 2021 when he expressed gratitude towards Katherine on social media for delivering him a healthy daughter. Some social media users perceived his post as insensitive to Anna and Jack, who was born prematurely. In an interview with Men’s Health in 2022, Chris shared his feelings about the backlash, stating that it was unfair and hurtful, especially since his son is only 9 years old. He expressed concern that these negative comments would be difficult for his child to read in the future and were a source of distress for him.

As a lifestyle expert, I can share that my own little bundle of joy, Jack, arrived a bit earlier than expected, making his grand entrance in August 2012, around two months before his due date. He needed some extra care and attention, which he received in the neonatal intensive care unit for a while.

2021 at an event for the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth, I reminisced about the day that I, overjoyed and elated, finally got to bring Jack home. Those early years were a whirlwind of doctor’s visits, five surgeries, physical therapy sessions, and countless moments filled with laughter as Jack, my precious little miracle, captured my heart with his irresistible charm and cuteness beyond belief – a sight I could have never imagined more enchanting.

Approximately one year and a few months following their marriage, Katherine and Chris had a daughter named Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger Pratt in August 2020. The middle name was chosen to honor Katherine’s mother.

Even though Chris tends to keep his personal life low-key, he did reveal that Jack was already excelling at being an older sibling. In 2021, the Jurassic World star shared with Entertainment Tonight that “He’s really great with her.” Lyla often tries to remove Jack’s glasses, but he remains patient and is a wonderful big brother.

In March 2022, Chris and Katherine expanded their family by welcoming daughter Eloise Christina Schwarzenegger Pratt into their lives.

The actor from Zero Dark Thirty stated to TopMob in June 2022 that he’s a father of two girls. His eldest daughter has taken well to her new role as a big sister. At first, she was curious about the baby, asking questions like ‘What’s going on with that?’, but now she’s fully embraced the idea. She loves holding her little sister and is showing great affection. The special moments between them are what truly matter. They make life worth living, and I feel incredibly grateful and happy.

On November 8, 2024, Katherine and Chris were overjoyed as they welcomed their newborn son, Ford Fitzgerald Schwarzenegger Pratt into their family. A few days later, they shared on Instagram that both mother and baby were in good health, and their other children were delighted by his arrival. “We are feeling incredibly blessed and grateful,” the couple expressed.

Christopher Schwarzenegger, born in 1997, is the youngest son of Arnold and Maria Shwarzenegger. His sister, Christina Schwarzenegger, who was born in 1991, is their youngest daughter. Christopher has mostly stayed out of the limelight but serves as Vice Chair of the Special Olympics Founder’s Council and works as a Director of Development at Indus Valley Media. He also holds a psychology degree from the University of Michigan and has worked at Malka, a creative content agency, as well as for sports psychologist Trevor Moawad. Christina is an executive producer with credits like the 2018 documentary “Take Your Pills” and the 2022 doc “Take Your Pills: Xanax.

Joseph is the son born to Arnold from an affair he had with housekeeper Mildred Patricia Baena in 1996. However, Arnold only discovered his paternity much later. In his 2023 docuseries “Arnold,” he admitted, “I had an affair in ’96… The older [Joseph] got, the more it became clear to me, and it was then just a matter of how do you keep this quiet? How do you keep this secret?” Despite considering it a significant mistake in his life, Arnold expressed pride in Joseph and welcomed him warmly, stating, “It was wrong what I did… But I don’t want to make [Joseph] feel that he’s not welcome in this world because he’s very much welcome in this world. And I love him, and he’s turned out to be an extraordinary young man.” Similar to Arnold, Joseph is an actor, fitness enthusiast, and works in real estate, having competed on season 31 of “Dancing With the Stars.

Chris and Anna got married in 2009, but after eight years as a married couple, they revealed their separation.

Anna (who was previously wed to Ben Indra) admitted that her life with Chris wasn’t as perfect as it appeared. On an episode of her podcast “Unqualified” in 2021, she said, “I believe things were more open about my relationship with Ben, but with Chris, I think we both maintained an idealized image even within our close circles.”

Later, Anna—now married to cinematographer Michael Barrett—implied that being in the same industry as her exes didn’t make things easier. “My other two marriages were with actors,” she shared on another episode of her podcast that year, “and I don’t think we handled competition very well – at least I didn’t. Being proud and reluctant to show vulnerability, any traces of competitiveness and comparison, I don’t believe I managed it effectively, and I hope I’ve grown from that.

2025-04-05 19:18

Arnold’s Secret Son: The Scandal That Ended His Marriage to Maria

Read More