Despite being blamed by his step-siblings for breaking their family, Joseph Baena cherishes the strong bond he shares with his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and continues to support him. The children Schwarzenegger shares with Maria Shriver have rejected Baena, but he remains steadfast in his relationship with the man who says he is “very much welcomed in this world.” Let’s dive into Baena’s story!
For the first 14 years of his life, Joseph Baena was a secret kept by Arnold Schwarzenegger and the family housekeeper, Mildred “Patty” Baena. Baena didn’t even know that the former Mr. Universe was his father until he was 13.
Baena vividly remembers the day he found out about his true parentage. “I remember the day very vividly,” he recalls. “I was in the eighth grade, fifth or sixth period. And I get called out of class to leave. And my mom’s there, and she’s like, ‘We gotta go – everyone is finding out about you and who your father is.’” The media circus surrounding his home transformed his life at a time when his body and mind were already going through changes.
Meanwhile, the Last Action Hero was secretly supporting Patty and his son, all while Maria Shriver remained unaware that the child occasionally present in their house was fathered by her husband. But as Baena grew older, his resemblance to his father became undeniable, and the secret could no longer be kept.
In his book “Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story,” Schwarzenegger describes how he lied to his wife of 25 years and shares the emotional reaction of his children when he confessed to the affair. “I asked them for forgiveness,” he reveals. “They cried. It tears your heart out.” Schwarzenegger and Shriver eventually divorced in 2021.
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Now 26 years old, Joseph is stepping into the limelight and following his father’s footsteps as an actor and bodybuilder. He was even featured on the cover of Men’s Health in 2022. The father and son duo bonded over fitness, with Schwarzenegger even gifting Joseph “The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding.” Joseph took pride in figuring it out himself rather than relying on favors from his famous dad.
“My dad is old-school; he doesn’t believe in handouts. He believes hard work pays off, and so do I,” states Joseph. “I love the word honor, and I’m very prideful in the sense that if I use my dad’s contacts or ask him for favors, I wonder what honor is that gonna bring me?”
Joseph applies the same hardworking philosophy to his acting career and has deliberately kept his real identity quiet when auditioning. “When I go to auditions, they don’t know who I am because we don’t have the same last name. I know it’s all me,” he confidently shares.
The young action star has made appearances in several films, with many more in the pipeline. He also showcased his talent on Dancing with the Stars in 2022, surviving six episodes. Joseph honored his dad by recreating the iconic “Bad to the Bone” scene from Terminator 2: Judgment Day, where he portrayed the menacing cyborg.
While Joseph is thrilled to share a strong bond with his dad, there seems to be a disconnect with his step-siblings. One insider reveals, “the [step-siblings] don’t love Joe” and “blame Joe for the affair.” During premieres and red carpet events, Schwarzenegger proudly walks with his four children from his marriage to Shriver, leaving Joseph to walk alone and excluding him from the family photos. However, fans have expressed their support for Joseph, calling out his step-siblings for their behavior.
WATCH: Joseph Baena, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Son, in FUBAR
Despite the rocky past, Schwarzenegger doesn’t want Joseph to feel unwelcome in this world. He admits his mistake but emphasizes Joseph’s importance in his life, calling him a “fantastic man” who “makes me proud.” The former governor believes that Joseph has turned out to be an extraordinary young man.
Let’s show our support for Joseph Baena as he continues to carve out his own path, guided by the lessons and inspiration passed down from his famous father!
