The Story of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Secret Son

Joseph Baena has extensive academic and professional training in the fitness, acting, and real estate industries. But who is he? Joseph is the son of legendary actor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. But Joe is forging a path distinct from that of his father. Despite finding out his famous heritage later in life, Joseph embraced the opportunities and challenges it presented. He's balancing the weight of his family heritage with his own ambitions and challenges. Here’s his remarkable story.

Where it All Began

In 1986, Arnold married Maria Shriver, with whom he had four children - Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher. In May 2011, the Golden Globe winner disclosed that he had fathered Joseph with Mildred. She was the family's housekeeper, and during an affair, she fell pregnant.

Joseph was born in 1997, the same year as Arnold and Maria Shriver's youngest son, Christopher. Arnold and Maria publicly separated later that same month. Their legal separation was finalized 10 years later, in December 2021. The film producer is appreciative of his relationship with Joseph despite the dissolution of his marriage.

Birth and Early Childhood

On October 2nd, 1997, Los Angeles witnessed the birth of Joseph Baena. Despite the relentless bustling of Los Angeles, which Joseph called home for his early years, he had a quiet childhood.

Joseph's mother, Mildred, was a housekeeper who provided a stable home environment. Joseph spent his formative years immersed in a world of normalcy, completely unaware of his heritage.

Family Background

Community and simplicity best describe his early years, surrounded by a close family unit, playing sports, and being outside. Mildred played an important part in shaping Joseph's early life through her emotional support and unbreakable attachment to his welfare.

While Rogelio, Mildred's husband, left her when Joseph was very young, she raised him with his four other siblings. She instilled in all of her kids a Latin American cultural context that embraced strong Guatemalan traditions.

Discovering His Heritage

Until the age of 13, Joseph was unaware that his real parentage was that of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mildred believed that by not telling him, she was protecting him. But, in 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly acknowledged Joseph as his child.

Naturally, this created a frenzy in the media. Despite the intense public scrutiny, Joseph conducted himself with maturity. He quickly adapted to his newfound identity as the public revelation enabled him to develop a closer bond with his father.