Joseph Baena: Thriving Despite Family Drama

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lovechild Joseph Baena

Joseph Baena, the lovechild of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mildred Baena, has faced his fair share of challenges growing up. Despite being blamed by his step-siblings and facing media scrutiny, Baena continues to have a strong bond with his father and remains supportive of him. Learn more about Baena’s journey and how he has emerged as an extraordinary young man.

Discovering the Truth

Baena was kept as a secret for the first 14 years of his life. He didn’t even know that Schwarzenegger was his father until he was 13. The revelation came as a shock to Baena, who had to navigate the media circus and sudden changes in his life. Looking back on that day, Baena vividly remembers being called out of class by his mother, who informed him that everyone was finding out about his true identity.

A Complicated Affair

Schwarzenegger secretly supported Baena and his mother while he was still married to Maria Shriver. Shriver was unaware that the child her husband sometimes saw and played with was his lovechild. In his book, Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story, Schwarzenegger opens up about lying to his wife and asking his children for forgiveness. The news deeply affected his children, and the divorce between Schwarzenegger and Shriver followed.

Following in His Father’s Footsteps

Today, Baena is 26 and is carving his own path as an actor and bodybuilder. He shares a strong bond with his father, who has been a source of inspiration for him. Baena recalls his father giving him The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, co-authored by Schwarzenegger, and the two bonding over fitness. Baena applies his father’s philosophy of hard work paying off to his own career and has kept his real identity quiet during auditions.

The Strained Relationship

Baena’s relationship with his step-siblings is complicated. They don’t hold the same level of love for Baena and blame him for the affair that broke their family apart. Baena has attended events with his father where his step-siblings were present, but he feels their resentment. Despite this, Baena remains proud of his achievements and chooses to focus on his own path rather than seeking favors or using his father’s contacts.

Proud Father, Extraordinary Son

Schwarzenegger has publicly expressed his love and pride for Baena. He acknowledges that what he did was wrong but emphasizes that Baena is very much welcomed in this world. For the former governor, Baena has turned out to be an extraordinary young man who makes him proud. Despite the family drama, Baena continues to thrive and build his own legacy.