His secret scandal rocked the world, but his goal was to keep the public from learning about his son. When news broke out about Joseph Baena, fans obviously wanted to know more about him.
This young man is grown up and has graduated from college, which means that Schwarzenegger is no longer required to support him financially. Though Arnold has a net worth of about $500 million, there’s a good reason for his choice.
Learning About His Son
In 2011, it was publicized that Arnold had a baby with Mildred Patricia Baena, the household staffer in Schwarzenegger’s home. He was married to Maria Shriver at the time, and Joseph Baena was only 13 years old when he learned who his father truly was.
Learning About His Son
Humble Roots
Joseph is part Guatemalan (mother) and part Austrian (father), but he had a normal childhood before learning of his father. He said he lived in a humble home without much. However, his life changed significantly once the news came out about it all.
Humble Roots
Taking Him Away
Joseph was born a few days after Christopher, Shriver’s son. The whole Schwarzenegger family thought that Joseph’s parents were Patty and her husband. However, at 7 or 8 years old, Arnold claimed that the boy looked like him, which brought suspicions with it.
Taking Him Away
Doesn’t Turn Away
While the news was life-altering, Schwarzenegger never turned away from his son, reaching out to him. Initially scared, Joseph was surprised at how awesome it was to be close to his real father. Then, Arnold supported his son financially, paying for his education.
Doesn’t Turn Away
Graduation Day
Joseph started at Pepperdine University in 2015. He graduated from the Malibu college in 2019, and Schwarzenegger attended the celebration, posting a supportive and sweet message on Twitter. However, he then decided to stop supporting his son financially.
Graduation Day
Acting
After college, Baena chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and go into the entertainment industry. He appeared in Chariot and Bully High in 2022. Likewise, he was on a TV miniseries called Scam Squad and was part of Dancing with the Stars.
Pursuing Acting
Dad’s Net Worth
Arnold Schwarzenegger is quite wealthy because of his acting and bodybuilding careers. However, he didn’t invest in stocks, so he never grew his wealth. Regardless, he’s up to about a half billion dollars because of his hard work.
Dad’s Net Worth
Living at Home
Joseph had a good head on his shoulders when focused on finances. While attending Pepperdine, he lived at home to save on rent. Since his mother lived in Los Angeles, he commuted to campus each day without any problems.
Living at Home
Paid for College
Arnold felt responsible and wanted to help his son. Therefore, he was completely supportive until he graduated from college. After that happened, his dad said he’d no longer pay for him. Joseph claims he doesn’t hold a grudge.
Paid for College
Growing Up Sans Dad
While Joseph spent most of his childhood not knowing his real father, he had a great time. He learned about his heritage and spent time enjoying his culture. There’s plenty of music and food to love and learn about.
Growing Up Sans Dad
The Big Day
Baena remembers when he learned that Arnold was his dad. He recalls that he was in 8th grade, and his mom had picked him up from school during the middle of it all. She knew the news would hit the tabloids quickly, and she wanted to be the first to tell him.
The Big Day
Working in Real Estate
After Joseph graduated from Pepperdine, he chose to work in real estate for a while. He was an agent for Aria Properties, based in Los Angeles, and started in 2022. He uses his LA knowledge to help potential buyers.
Working in Real Estate
His Mother’s Name
Most people would want to take a famous person’s last name, but Joseph didn’t change from Baena to Schwarzenegger. He said that he already had a last name and was doing so well and succeeding with his goals. It was the last thing on his mind.
His Mother’s Name
Not the Only One
Though Joseph was cut off financially to become self-sufficient, he’s not the only child of a celebrity to experience this. Many celebs hope their children will understand how money works and work hard for success.
Not the Only One
Shaq’s Parenting
Shaquille O’Neill is a former NBA star and is a wealthy individual. He’s got a net worth of about $400 million and could let his children coast through life. However, he doesn’t share with them, believing they should earn their money to appreciate hard work.
Shaq’s Parenting
His Own Name
Most kids would resent it if their wealthy parents chose to cut them off. However, Joseph Baena didn’t respond that way. He came from humble roots, so he wasn’t spoiled. Instead, he took that opportunity to make his own name in the world.
His Own Name
Also a Bodybuilder
Joseph has also considered bodybuilding, which his dad excelled at. It’s what made him famous. Inspired by his dad, Baena began bodybuilding from an early age, dedicating hours to working out at Gold’s Gym, where his father was a well-known figure.
Also a Bodybuilder
10 Years Later
It took 10 years for the Schwarzenegger family to learn the truth about Joseph’s paternity, and the news rocked the family to its core. While Arnold and Joseph are the main focus, it still impacted Arnold’s other kids.
10 Years Later
Media Attention
When the news broke, it was a full-blown media frenzy. There were two celebrities (Maria and Arnold) in a paternity scandal. TMZ heavily circulated the story, but mainstream celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, got involved, too.
Media Attention
Staying Grounded
While the whole ordeal might have turned Joseph’s life in a bad direction, he stayed grounded and true to his heritage throughout the situation. In fact, he said his mother supported and helped him, being the only person he had at the time.
Staying Grounded
His Mom’s Ex-Husband
After Joseph was born, his mom and her husband, Rogelio, separated. Rogelio went to a Columbian magazine, saying that Arnold had falsified the child’s birth documents and that he was going to sue. Nothing came from those outlandish claims, though.
His Mom’s Ex-Husband
Pursuing Action
Joseph was inspired by his dad to try bodybuilding, but it didn’t stop there. In fact, he followed in Schwarzenegger’s footsteps and tried acting. He knew that his famous father might raise eyebrows, but that never stopped him from going after his dreams.
Pursuing Action
His First Role
Joseph’s first acting role was in 2022; he appeared in Chariot. Later, he was in another film, Bully High. Currently, other films are in post-production, or they’re still ongoing. They include Called to Duty: The Last Airshow, Lava, and Encounters.
His First Role
Working on Fitness
While Joseph has the genes for fitness and is in good health, he admitted that athleticism didn’t come naturally for him; he had to work hard for it. When he was younger, he was very out of shape, getting cut from the basketball and soccer teams.
Working on Fitness
The Swim Team
Everything turned out well for Joseph when his friend suggested joining the swim team. That decision got him into shape, and he became interested in being healthier and living an active lifestyle. He’s continued this throughout his adult life.
The Swim Team
Training for It
His physique is similar to his father’s because he has long arms and upper body strength. This comes in handy for swimming! Then, he developed the rest of his body to become strong and gain confidence.
Training for It
A Bright Future
Joseph Baena is successful in his 20s because of his acting pursuits and being a real estate agent. The bodybuilding is an extra, but he works hard and does well in whatever he tries. He believes his mom is part of his success because she motivates and pushes him every day.
A Bright Future
On the Cover
In March 2022, Baena accomplished something all bodybuilders dream of. He was on the cover of Men’s Health and looked ripped. He did an interview and said his father inspires him, creating an ideal physique, though he doesn’t know if he can compare.
On the Cover
Jiu Jitsu Training
You’d think that between acting, bodybuilding, and real estate, Joseph would relax when he had the time. However, he started Brazilian jiu-jitsu training in March 2021, learning his skills at Checkmat Northridge. What else can he do?!
Jiu Jitsu Training
Dancing with the Stars
In 2022, Baena surprised people when it was announced he’d be part of Dancing with the Stars in its 31st season. Most bodybuilders aren’t light on their feet, but he chose to break all the barriers in his family. He was the fifth to be eliminated in the contest.
Dancing with the Stars
Overcoming Bullies
Joseph wanted to film Bully High because he had been bullied himself as a kid, though it stopped once he got to high school. He felt like an outsider because he was overweight until he got older.
Overcoming Bullies
His Career
Baena expressed interest in real estate publicly in May 2021 when he shared an Instagram post. In 2022, he made that dream a reality and works for Aria Properties, which focuses on properties around the LA area.
His Career
His Half-Sister
Arnold Schwarzenegger is his dad, so he has many half-siblings. One of them is Katherine Schwarzenegger. She’s an author and published one children’s book and three self-help books. Katherine married Chris Pratt, and they share two daughters.
His Half-Sister
His Half-Brother
Patrick Schwarzenegger is Joseph’s half-brother, and he’s also an entrepreneur, investor, actor, and model. He’s signed with LA Models but has worked for Armani and Ralph Lauren. Likewise, he’s been in various films, such as Moxie, Daniel Isn’t Real, and others.
His Half-Brother
Another Half-Brother
Christopher Schwarzenegger is the youngest, and he graduated college in 2020. His father posted an Instagram feed about the graduation, claiming that he was sad his son didn’t get the big celebration he wanted because of the pandemic.
Another Half-Brother
Another Half-Sister
Christina Schwarzenegger also went into the entertainment industry, though she’s a producer. She’s produced projects, such as Take Your Pills and the Take Your Pills: Xanax. Previously, she worked as an editor at Goop, graduating from Georgetown University.
Another Half-Sister
His Mom
Mildred Patricia Baena was a professional housekeeper for 20 years with the Schwarzenegger family before their scandal broke out. She resigned and retired in 2011. Now, she keeps a low profile, and no one knows much about her.
His Mom
His Girlfriend
Joseph has also found love. Nicky Dodaj is his girlfriend, and she’s the creative director and co-founder of Malibu Juice Club. This is a leisure and athletic brand that’s become quite popular throughout the years.
His Girlfriend
Meeting in College
Dodaj also attended Pepperdine University, and that’s where the couple met. She and Joseph started dating in college and celebrated their anniversary of two years in February 2021.
Meeting in College
Hanging out Together
Though you may think there was animosity between Maria, Joseph, and their other children, that’s not close to the truth. The kids have been seen working out together by the Santa Monica stairs, and Nicky, Baena’s girlfriend, was also present!
Hanging out Together