Although he doesn't have the Schwarzenegger last name, Joseph Baena is still very much Arnold's biological son. Joseph still remembers the day he was revealed as Arnold's son, and the massive amount of press the came with it.
Despite all the controversy, Joseph was taken care of by Arnold and today, the two maintain a healthy relationship.
Things weren't as smooth at the beginning. We'll take a look back at how it all unfolded in a therapy session between Arnold and Maria Shriver. From that point on, the news was out in the open and their relationship was never the same again.
Mildred Baena would also reveal her own truth on the matter, praising Maria Shriver for her reaction to the news. Instead of getting angry, Shriver got emotional thinking about what Baena and Arnold must've been going through after all those years of keeping Joseph a secret.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Revealed The News To Maria Shriver During A Therapy Session
In 2011, the reveal finally took place, and it caused the end of Arnold and Maria Shriver's relationship. The two separated, though the divorce wasn't finalized until a decade later, in 2021.
The reveal between the former couple all took place during a therapy session. According to People, it wasn't long after that their marriage came to an end, despite being married since 1986 at that point, 25 years.
"The affair came to light the day after he left the California governor's office in 2011. In a therapy session with his wife Maria Shriver and their four children, the actor confirmed he fathered a son with their maid Mildred Baena, a child named Joseph, who was 14 at the time. Shriver filed for divorce shortly after the revelation," People writes.
Mildred Baena would finally open up following the reveal in 2011. According to her side of things, Shriver already had an idea as to what was going on, and was very emotional about it all. Instead of turning to anger, Shriver was able to sympathize with the housekeeper.
Mildred Baena Revealed Maria Shriver Got Emotional When Finding Out About Their Relationship
Mildred Baena finally gave an interview about the matter on 2011 alongside Hello Magazine. Mildred had some interesting reveals, including the fact that she knew Arnold was the father, based on his resemblance to Joseph alone.
“It was as Joseph grew and I started to see the resemblance that I wondered – but It became more apparent as time went on,” she said.
“I knew Arnold was the father, and maybe as Joseph got older and began to look like him, he [Arnold] wondered. But he never said anything to me.”
Mildred would further reveal that Shriver had an idea about it all, and would always tell the housekeeper she was there for her if they ever wanted to talk.
Ultimately, that conversation did take place, and it was quite emotional.
“She was so strong. She cried with me and told me to get off my knees. We held each other and I told her it wasn’t Arnie’s fault, that it takes two.”
At the time, Baena was hopeful the couple might be able to work things out, stating, "He’s a good man and I know he’s suffering too. He loves Maria. I hope with time they work things out.”
Of course, that wasn't the case.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Still Thinks About The Entire Ordeal
It certainly isn't a matter to easily forget about. In 2017, Arnold discussed that he still thinks about everything that went on, and how he is remorseful towards the situation.
"You do think about it every so often. And I can beat myself up as much as I want — it's not gonna change the situation. So the key thing is, how do you move forward? How do you have a great relationship with your kids?"
Alongside 60 Minutes in 2012, Arnold made it clear during the interview, that Joseph was getting taken care of, and this continues to be the case today.
"The important thing that everyone should know is that I take care of him and I take care of [his mother]. And I fulfill my responsibility and I'm glad to do that."
Thankfully, Arnold and his son maintain a close relationship today.