Childhood and Education Journey of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Arnold Schwarzenegger. From birth to education, explore key events.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American icon known for his achievements in bodybuilding, acting, and politics. Rising to prominence as a professional bodybuilder, he won multiple Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia titles. He transitioned to acting, becoming a major action film star in movies like "Terminator" and "Predator." Schwarzenegger then entered politics, serving as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011. His career showcases a unique blend of physical prowess, entertainment success, and political influence.
1922: Birth of Aurelia Jadrny
In 1922, Aurelia Jadrny, who later became Arnold Schwarzenegger's mother, was born.
1938: Gustav Schwarzenegger Joins Nazi Party
In 1938, after the Anschluss, Gustav Schwarzenegger, Arnold's father, joined the Nazi Party.
1939: Gustav Schwarzenegger Joins Sturmabteilung (SA)
In 1939, Gustav Schwarzenegger joined the Sturmabteilung (SA).
1942: Gustav Schwarzenegger Wounded at Leningrad
In the summer of 1942, Gustav Schwarzenegger was wounded at Leningrad while serving as a military policeman during World War II.
February 1944: Gustav Schwarzenegger Discharged from the Heer
In February 1944, Gustav Schwarzenegger was discharged from the Heer after being wounded and contracting malaria.
October 20, 1945: Marriage of Gustav Schwarzenegger and Aurelia Jadrny
On October 20, 1945, Gustav Schwarzenegger, aged 38, married Aurelia Jadrny, aged 23.
July 30, 1947: Arnold Schwarzenegger Born in Thal, Austria
On July 30, 1947, Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born in Thal, Styria, Austria, the second son of Gustav Schwarzenegger and Aurelia (née Jadrny).
July 30, 1947: Arnold Schwarzenegger Born
On July 30, 1947, Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born. He is an Austrian and American actor, businessman, politician, and former professional bodybuilder.
1960: Began Weight Training
In 1960, Arnold Schwarzenegger began weight training after his football coach took the team to a local gym.
1961: Met Kurt Marnul and Began Training at the Gym in Graz
In 1961, Arnold Schwarzenegger met Kurt Marnul, a former Mr. Austria, who invited him to train at the gym in Graz.
1963: First professional competition
In 1963, Arnold Schwarzenegger's first professional competition took place.
1965: Served in Austrian Army and Won Junior Mr. Europe
In 1965, Arnold Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian Army and won the Junior Mr. Europe contest, even going AWOL during basic training to compete.
1965: Military Service in Austria
In 1965, Arnold Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian Army, operating an M47 Patton tank.
1966: Coached by Charles "Wag" Bennett
After returning to London in 1966, Charles "Wag" Bennett offered to coach Arnold Schwarzenegger and invited him to stay in his home.
1966: First Plane Trip and Mr. Universe Competition
In 1966, Arnold Schwarzenegger made his first plane trip to London to attend the NABBA Mr. Universe competition, where he placed second.
1966: Met Reg Park
In 1966, Arnold Schwarzenegger met his childhood idol Reg Park, who became his friend and mentor.
1967: Won Mr. Universe Title
In 1967, Arnold Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Universe title for the first time, becoming the youngest winner at age 20.
October 1968: Moved to the U.S.
In October 1968, at age 21, Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to the U.S., fulfilling a long-held dream, and began training at Gold's Gym in Venice.
1968: Arrival in the United States and Republican Alignment
In 1968, Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived in the United States and aligned himself with the Republican party after listening to Richard Nixon's political views.
1968: Won Mr. Universe Title Again
In 1968, Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to London and won his next Mr. Universe title.
1968: Involvement with Special Olympics
Since 1968, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been involved with the Special Olympics, which were founded by his later mother-in-law, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
1969: First Car
In 1969, after serving in the Austrian army, Arnold Schwarzenegger got his first car, an Opel Kadett.
May 20, 1971: Death of Brother Meinhard
On May 20, 1971, Arnold Schwarzenegger's brother, Meinhard, died in a car crash.
December 13, 1972: Death of Father Gustav
On December 13, 1972, Arnold Schwarzenegger's father, Gustav, died of a stroke.
1972: Touring and Selling Vitamins
In 1972, Arnold Schwarzenegger toured different countries selling vitamins, including Helsinki, Finland, where he stayed at the YMCA Hotel Hospiz and promoted vitamin pills at the Stockmann shopping center.
1973: Gold's Gym Logo Designed by Ric Drasin
In 1973, Ric Drasin, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's training partners, designed the original Gold's Gym logo.
1974: Trained with Ric Drasin
From 1970 to 1974, Arnold Schwarzenegger trained with Ric Drasin at Gold's Gym, where Drasin also designed the gym's original logo in 1973.
1975: Winning 1975 Mr. Olympia and Retirement
In 1975, Arnold Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Olympia competition for the sixth consecutive time after being persuaded by filmmakers to compete again, which was documented in 'Pumping Iron'. Following the contest, Schwarzenegger announced his retirement from professional bodybuilding.
1977: Acknowledging Steroid Use
In 1977, Arnold Schwarzenegger acknowledged using performance-enhancing anabolic steroids while they were legal, stating that they helped maintain muscle size during strict dieting for contests.
1977: Autobiography Published and Film Appearance
In 1977, Arnold Schwarzenegger published his autobiographical book "Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder" and appeared in the bodybuilding documentary "Pumping Iron", which helped launch his film career.
1977: Publication of Autobiography and Posing for After Dark
In 1977, Arnold Schwarzenegger's autobiography and weight-training guide, "Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder", was a major success. Also in 1977, he posed for the gay magazine "After Dark".
1979: Enrollment at University of Wisconsin–Superior
In 1979, Arnold Schwarzenegger enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Superior as a distance-education student, completing coursework by correspondence and traveling to Superior for meetings and exams.
May 1980: Graduation from University of Wisconsin–Superior
In May 1980, Arnold Schwarzenegger formally graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Wisconsin–Superior in a ceremony at Wessman arena.
1982: Starred in Conan the Barbarian
In 1982, Arnold Schwarzenegger had his breakthrough role when he starred in "Conan the Barbarian", marking a significant point in his acting career.
September 17, 1983: Became a naturalized U.S. citizen
On September 17, 1983, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He requested and was granted the right to retain his Austrian citizenship, as Austria typically does not allow dual citizenship.
1983: Becoming a United States citizen
In 1983, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a United States citizen.
1983: Became a Citizen
In 1983, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a citizen of the United States.
1983: Naturalized as U.S. citizen
In 1983, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a naturalized U.S. citizen, while retaining his Austrian citizenship.
1984: Starred in Conan the Destroyer and The Terminator
In 1984, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in "Conan the Destroyer", a sequel to "Conan the Barbarian", and also played the Terminator in the science fiction film "The Terminator", a role he would reprise in later sequels.
1985: Appearance in Anti-Drug Music Video
In 1985, Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in "Stop the Madness", an anti-drug music video sponsored by the Reagan administration.
April 26, 1986: Married Maria Shriver
On April 26, 1986, Arnold Schwarzenegger married Maria Shriver in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
1986: Marriage to Maria Shriver
In 1986, Arnold Schwarzenegger married Maria Shriver, a niece of former U.S. president John F. Kennedy.
1988: Campaigning with George H.W. Bush
In 1988, Arnold Schwarzenegger came to public notice as a Republican, accompanying then–Vice President George H. W. Bush at a campaign rally.
1988: Height Discrepancies Reported
In 1988, both the Daily Mail and Time Out magazine noted that Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared noticeably shorter than his official height.
1990: Introduction of "Free to Choose" Series
In 1990, Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced the first episode of the Milton Friedman hosted PBS series Free to Choose.
1990: Starred in Total Recall and Kindergarten Cop
In 1990, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in both the action film "Total Recall" and the comedy "Kindergarten Cop", showcasing his versatility as an actor.
1991: Obtained M47 Patton tank and Rode Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
In 1991, during his time as Chairman of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, Arnold Schwarzenegger obtained his Austrian Army M47 Patton tank to support his charity. He also rode a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy in 1991.
1992: Purchased First Humvee and Lobbied for Civilian Version
In 1992, Arnold Schwarzenegger became the first civilian in the U.S. to purchase a Humvee and successfully lobbied AM General to produce a street-legal, civilian version. He bought the first two Hummer H1s sold.
1992: Hummers Classified as Large Trucks
In 1992, the Hummers that Schwarzenegger bought were classified as large trucks, exempting them from U.S. fuel economy regulations.
1994: Starred in True Lies
In 1994, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in the action film "True Lies", further solidifying his status as a leading action star.
1995: Founded Inner City Games Foundation
In 1995, Arnold Schwarzenegger founded the Inner City Games Foundation (ICG), which provides cultural, educational, and community enrichment programming to youth.
1996: Starred in Jingle All the Way
In 1996, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in the comedy film "Jingle All the Way".
June 1997: Spent $38 million on private jet
In June 1997, Arnold Schwarzenegger spent $38 million on a private Gulfstream jet.
1997: Fathered a Child with Housemaid
In 1997, Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child with their housemaid, which he later admitted to.
1998: The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding Published
In 1998, Arnold Schwarzenegger published "The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding", adding to his written works on the subject.
1998: Death of Aurelia (née Jadrny) Schwarzenegger
In 1998, Arnold Schwarzenegger's mother, Aurelia (née Jadrny), passed away.
1999: Lawsuits over Steroid Use Allegations
In 1999, Arnold Schwarzenegger sued Willi Heepe, a German doctor, for predicting his early death due to steroid use, winning a libel judgment. He also sued and settled with Globe, a U.S. tabloid, over similar predictions.
1999: Men's Health Magazine on Height
In 1999, Men's Health magazine stated Arnold Schwarzenegger's height was 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m).
2000: Death of Steve Reeves
In 2000, Steve Reeves, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding idols, died, leading Schwarzenegger to reflect on Reeves' influence on his life and career.
2001: Speech about Childhood Plans
In a 2001 speech, Arnold Schwarzenegger recounted forming his plan at age 14, contrasting his parents' desires for him with his own ambitions.
2002: Founded Los Angeles Branch of After-School All-Stars
In 2002, Arnold Schwarzenegger founded the Los Angeles branch of After-School All-Stars (ASAS), an after-school program provider that educates youth about health, fitness, and nutrition.
2002: Article in LA Weekly about Immigrant Status
In 2002, LA Weekly wrote an article describing Arnold Schwarzenegger as "the most famous US immigrant" and highlighting his overcoming of obstacles to become a movie star.
2003: Press Attention to Gustav's Background During Gubernatorial Election
During the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election, in which Schwarzenegger was elected, Gustav Schwarzenegger's background received wide press attention.
2003: Supported Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger supported the invasion of Iraq.
2003: Elected Governor of California
In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California in a special recall election, replacing Gray Davis. He received 48.6 percent of the vote.
2003: Net worth estimated at $100-$200 million
In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger's net worth was conservatively estimated to be between $100 million and $200 million.
2003: Elected Governor of California in Special Recall Election
In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger, as a Republican, was elected Governor of California in a special recall election to replace Gray Davis, receiving 48.6% of the vote.
2004: Speech at Republican National Convention
In 2004, Arnold Schwarzenegger gave a speech at the Republican National Convention, explaining his Republican beliefs.
2004: Saved a drowning man
In 2004, Arnold Schwarzenegger saved a drowning man in Hawaii by swimming out and bringing him back to shore.
2004: Visit to Israel
In 2004, Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Israel to break ground on the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, lay a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, and meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Moshe Katsav.
2004: Schwarzenegger Discusses Childhood Abuse in Fortune Interview
In a 2004 interview with Fortune, Arnold Schwarzenegger described experiencing what "would now be called child abuse" at the hands of his father.
2006: Tax returns filed
Based on tax returns filed in 2006, Arnold Schwarzenegger's net worth was estimated to be approximately $400 million, and even as high as $800 million.
2006: Re-elected as Governor of California
In 2006, Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected in the gubernatorial election with an increased vote share of 55.9 percent to serve a full term as Governor of California.
2007: Spokesperson for Special Olympics in Shanghai
In 2007, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the official spokesperson for the Special Olympics held in Shanghai, China.
June 19, 2009: Emergency landing of private jet
On June 19, 2009, Arnold Schwarzenegger's private jet made an emergency landing at Van Nuys Airport after the pilot reported smoke coming from the cockpit. No one was harmed in the incident.
February 12, 2010: Vancouver Olympic Torch Relay
On February 12, 2010, Arnold Schwarzenegger participated in the Vancouver Olympic Torch relay, handing off the flame to Sebastian Coe.
2010: Collection of Hummers
In 2010, Arnold Schwarzenegger owned four Hummers: one regular and three running on non-fossil power sources (hydrogen, vegetable oil, and biodiesel).
May 9, 2011: Separated from Maria Shriver
On May 9, 2011, Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger ended their marriage after 25 years, with Shriver moving out of their Brentwood mansion.
May 20, 2011: Halting of Film Projects
On May 20, 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger's entertainment counsel announced a halt to all film projects in development due to Schwarzenegger focusing on personal matters.
July 11, 2011: Consideration of Comeback Film
On July 11, 2011, it was announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger was considering a comeback film, despite legal problems related to his divorce.
2011: Supported Military Intervention in Libya
In 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger also expressed support for the military intervention in Libya.
2011: Separation from Maria Shriver
In 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver separated after he admitted to having fathered a child with their housemaid.
2011: Term Limit as Governor Reached
In 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger reached his term limit as Governor of California and subsequently returned to acting.
2011: Removal of Marxist Busts
In 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that his wife requested the removal of his collection of Marxist busts, but he kept the bust of Vladimir Lenin because "he was the first".
2011: Support for Israel
In 2011, at the Independence Day celebration hosted by the Israeli Consulate General in Los Angeles, Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed his love for Israel and recalled signing a bill to divest California pension funds from companies doing business with Iran.
2011: Training During the Arnold Classic
In 2011, during the Arnold Classic, Arnold Schwarzenegger mentioned that he was still working out a half an hour with weights every day.
October 2012: Release of "Total Recall"
In October 2012, Arnold Schwarzenegger released his autobiography, "Total Recall", which included a chapter on his extramarital affair and focused on his successes as a bodybuilder, actor, and Governor of California.
2014: Supported Euromaidan Protests
In 2014, Arnold Schwarzenegger released a video message in support of the Euromaidan protests against Ukraine's pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych.
2015: Climate Change Speech
At a 2015 security conference, Arnold Schwarzenegger called climate change the issue of our time and urged politicians to stop treating it as a political issue.
2015: Lenin Bust Displayed to "Show Losers"
In 2015, Arnold Schwarzenegger said that he kept the Lenin bust to "show losers".
2015: Spotted in Bugatti Veyron
In 2015, Arnold Schwarzenegger was filmed in his silver Bugatti Veyron with bright aluminum forged wheels and dark brown leather interior.
August 2016: Interruption of Filming "Killing Gunther" by Bank Robbers
In August 2016, the filming of Arnold Schwarzenegger's action-comedy Killing Gunther was temporarily interrupted by bank robbers near the filming location in Surrey, British Columbia.
2016: Less Meat, Less Heat Campaign
In 2016, Arnold Schwarzenegger collaborated on a campaign by WildAid, starring in the PSA, "Less Meat, Less Heat," that encourages people to eat less meat as a means of combating climate change.
2016: Endorsed John Kasich and Refused to Vote for Donald Trump
In 2016, Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed John Kasich for the Republican Party presidential primaries. However, in October of that year, he announced that he would not vote for the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the United States presidential election.
2017: Acquired All-Electric Mercedes G-Class
In 2017, Arnold Schwarzenegger acquired a Mercedes G-Class modified for all-electric drive.
2017: Condemnation of White Supremacists
In 2017, Arnold Schwarzenegger condemned white supremacists who were seen carrying Nazi and Confederate flags, calling their heroes "losers".
May 18, 2019: Attacked in South Africa
On May 18, 2019, while visiting South Africa, Arnold Schwarzenegger was attacked and dropkicked from behind while giving autographs. He was not injured and declined to press charges against the attacker.
October 2019: Admiration for Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool
In October 2019, Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed his admiration of Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool.
March 2021: Comments on California Recall Election
In late March 2021, Arnold Schwarzenegger was interviewed by Politico about the upcoming recall election in California, stating that the atmosphere was similar to when he ran and that the recall effort was sparked by ordinary folks, not Republicans.
August 2021: Spoke out about COVID-19
In August 2021, Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke out about COVID-19, urging Americans to get vaccinated, wear masks, and practice social distancing, saying, "No, screw your freedom."
2021: Finalized divorce from Maria Shriver
In 2021, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver finalized their divorce, ten years after separating.
2021: Divorce Finalized
In 2021, Arnold Schwarzenegger's divorce from Maria Shriver was finalized.
2021: Video Address on Capitol Attack
In 2021, following the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a video address on social media comparing the insurrection to Nazi Germany's Kristallnacht and criticizing President Donald Trump.
January 21, 2022: Multi-vehicle collision
On January 21, 2022, Arnold Schwarzenegger was involved in a multi-vehicle collision while driving a black GMC Yukon SUV in Los Angeles. His vehicle collided with a red Toyota Prius, resulting in injuries to the Prius driver, who was transported to the hospital. Schwarzenegger was uninjured.
February 2022: Adopts Mostly Plant-Based Diet
In February 2022, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that he had been following an approximately 80% plant-based diet for the past five years to improve his overall health and reduce his environmental impact.
June 2022: Jury ruled Shriver entitled to savings
In June 2022, a jury ruled that Maria Shriver was entitled to half of Arnold Schwarzenegger's post-divorce savings that he earned from 1986 to 2011, including a pension.
2022: Condemned Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In 2022, Arnold Schwarzenegger released a video message condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
2023: Release of "Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life"
In 2023, Arnold Schwarzenegger released his second book, "Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life", offering life advice and reflecting on his experiences.
2023: Statements on Israel and Palestine
In a 2023 interview, Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed support for Israel while also stating that Palestinians "have the right to live and the right to have their own country, their own state".
January 17, 2024: Detained for Customs Violation
On January 17, 2024, Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained by German authorities in Munich for failing to declare an Audemars Piguet watch to customs. He was released after pre-paying potential taxes, and the watch was later auctioned off for charity.
October 30, 2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris for President
On October 30, 2024, Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed Kamala Harris for president.
2024: Estimated to be a billionaire
In 2024, Forbes estimated that Arnold Schwarzenegger was a billionaire.
2025: Eating mostly plants
In 2025 Arnold Schwarzenegger mentioned that he mostly eats plants, but still occasionally consumes smaller amounts of animal products.
Mentioned in this timeline
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is an American professional basketball...
Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service owned...
John F Kennedy JFK was the th U S President...
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe the second-largest on...
Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney She served...
Trending
40 minutes ago Giants' Kyle Harrison, Traded in Devers Deal, Excels with Brewers; Cy Young Potential?
2 hours ago Maper Maker, Former 4-Star Center, Commits to Arkansas Basketball Program
3 hours ago AMC Theatres and Telemundo to broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026 on big screens.
4 hours ago Colton Cowser's Walk-Off Homer Secures Orioles Victory Over Tigers in Thrilling Game
6 hours ago IndyCar Teams Penalized After Indy 500 Qualifying; Palou Initially Claims Pole.
7 hours ago Rocket League Paris Major 2026: Team Vitality's New Era Powered by Unreal Engine
Popular
Thomas Massie is a Republican politician and engineer representing Kentucky's...
Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer serving as...
William Franklin Graham III known as Franklin Graham is an...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
Tulsi Gabbard is an American politician and U S military...
Chip Roy is an American attorney and politician currently serving...