For 25 years, much of the world was under the impression that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver had a fairytale marriage. The parents of 4 children who all seemed to be happy and healthy, on several occasions the paparazzi caught the family having good times together. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, it was announced that Schwarzenegger and Shriver were ending their relationship.
As it turns out, Schwarzenegger hadn’t been faithful to Shriver and his infidelity led to an incredibly scandalous revelation, he’d fathered a child with another woman.
Worse yet, the woman that mothered Arnold’s other child was a longtime employee of the family as a whole, which makes Schwarzenegger's betrayal even more egregious.
If there is one thing that everyone seems to know it is this, every family is fraught with drama. Thankfully, a lot of clans can overcome the petty jealousies and grudges that come along with spending so much time together. However, given the seriousness of Schwarzenegger’s betrayal of his family, it begs the question, do the children Arnold had with Maria Shriver get along with his son Joseph?
International Superstar
Arguably the biggest action star of all-time, both literally and figuratively, Arnold Schwarzenegger has proven himself to be a bankable star over and over again. The star of legendary movies like the Terminator franchise, Predator, Commando, Total Recall, and True Lies among others, Arnold’s massive size gives him a unique presence on the big screen.
On top of the undeniably impressive run of hit action films Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in, he proved to be surprisingly entertaining in comedy movies over the years. For example, his comedic timing was on full display in movies like Twins, Kindergarten Cop, and Jingle All the Way.
Absolutely a legend of the bodybuilding and cinematic worlds, Arnold never could’ve accomplished everything he has if he didn’t have a tireless work ethic. Not content with dominating two industries, Schwarzenegger then decided to enter the political arena when he ran to be the Governor of California, won, and served in that role for 8 years.
Secret Son
At the same time that Maria Shriver was pregnant with the youngest of her 4 children with Schwarzenegger, the family’s longtime housekeeper was also carrying Arnold's baby. Born on October 2nd, 1997, during Joseph Baena’s childhood he had no idea that he was the biological son of Arnold Schwarzenegger even though he grew up around him.
In fact, according to reports, Schwarzenegger wasn’t even aware that Joseph Baena was his son until the boy got older and began to look so much like Arnold that Maria Shriver noticed. While the revelation that Arnold had fathered a child with another woman tore apart his marriage, Schwarzenegger has since developed a very close bond with his son Joseph. For example, the two of them have been pictured hanging out with Arnold’s friends in the past, and they seem to spend a lot of time together.
Seemingly born to walk in his father’s footsteps, it could easily be argued that when it comes to Arnold’s children, Joseph looks the most like his dad. After all, Joseph’s face is a dead ringer for his old man and he has become a dedicated bodybuilder who has the potential to reign supreme in that world just like Arnold did decades ago.
Sibling Rivalry?
If you take a look at the situation that was dropped into the laps of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 5 children, it would make sense if they weren’t all close-knit. After all, from the perspective of Arnold’s first 4 children, their parents stayed together for 25 years until the revelation of their half-brother’s birth ripped them apart. On the other end of the spectrum, it would be understandable if Joseph Baena resented missing out on having his father publically taking on that role during his early childhood.
From the outside looking in, it seems obvious that Joseph and the Schwarzenegger children weren’t at fault for the circumstances of their birth so they should put all of that aside. Of course, it is really easy to feel that way when you aren’t involved in a situation and unfortunately, it seems that Joseph hasn’t exactly been welcomed with open arms by all of his siblings.
According to a report by Page Six, they spoke with a family insider who revealed that Joseph Baena and the Schwarzenegger sisters “have really no relationship”. Continuing, the insider went on to say “Why should she have a relationship with this kid? Joseph is the product of an affair that Arnold kept hidden for years! This was a deeply damaging and shameful situation that destroyed her family."
Considering Joseph Baena wasn’t even invited to his half-sister Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt’s wedding, it certainly seems like things are frosty. On the bright side of things, the supposed family insider from the aforementioned Page Six report said of Joseph “I think the sons have more of a relationship with him”.