Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lovechild blamed by half siblings for breaking family, ‘don’t love him’ 

Despite being blamed by his step-siblings as the lovechild who fractured their family, Joseph Baena remains thrilled to have Arnold Schwarzenegger as his father. He shares a strong bond with Arnold and continues to support him.

Though continuously snubbed by his father’s children with Maria Shriver, Baena, now 26, stands firm beside the man who reassured him he is “very much welcomed in this world.”

Keep reading to learn more about Baena!

For the first 14 years of Joseph Baena’s life, he was the hidden secret of Arnold Schwarzenegger and the family housekeeper, Mildred “Patty” Baena. The young boy didn’t know the former Mr. Universe was his father until he was 13.

Recalling the moment he found out, Baena told Men’s Health, “I remember the day vividly…I was in the eighth grade. Fifth or sixth period. I get called out of class, and my mom’s there saying, ‘We gotta go—everyone is finding out about you and who your father is.’” Reflecting on the media circus that followed, he added, “I’m 13. Your body’s transforming, your mind is transforming. And now my life transformed before my eyes.”

During this time, Schwarzenegger was secretly supporting Patty and his son, while Maria Shriver was unaware that the child playing with her own children was fathered by her husband. As Joseph grew older and began to resemble Arnold, the secret became impossible to keep.

In his book “Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story,” Schwarzenegger describes how he confessed the affair to his wife of 25 years and the reaction of their children. “I asked them for forgiveness,” he said. “They cried. It tears your heart out.” Schwarzenegger and Shriver divorced in 2021.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Joseph is now an actor and bodybuilder at 26. He graced the cover of Men’s Health in 2022, revealing how fitness bonded him and his dad. Arnold gave him “The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding,” co-authored by Schwarzenegger. “Even though I could call him anytime, I was too proud. I went straight to the book. I wanted to figure it out myself,” Joseph said. By 18, he began training with his dad, initially feeling nervous but determined to learn.

“My dad is old-school; he doesn’t believe in handouts. He believes hard work pays off, and so do I,” Baena explained. “I love the word honor, and I’m very prideful in the sense that if I use my dad’s contacts or ask him for favors, what honor does that bring me?”

Applying this philosophy to his acting career, Joseph keeps his identity quiet during auditions, using a different last name. “I know it’s all me.”

Joseph has appeared in several films and participated in Dancing with the Stars in 2022, surviving six episodes. He also recreated the iconic “Bad to the Bone” scene from Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

While Joseph enjoys a strong bond with his dad, a source says, “the [step-siblings] don’t love Joe,” blaming him for the affair. “I’ve been at several events where [Schwarzenegger] has brought [Baena] along,” the insider shares. “It’s not fair, but it’s understandable—he’s the product of something that should not have occurred…”

At the premiere of the Netflix series FUBAR, Schwarzenegger walked the red carpet with his children from Shriver while Joseph walked alone, excluded from the family photo. Posting a solo photo from FUBAR, Joseph wrote on Instagram, “I give FUBAR a 2 thumbs up!!!…In my unbiased opinion, FUBAR is a hilarious, action-packed show that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time!”

Fans quickly commented on his solo appearance, expressing support and criticizing his half-siblings for their treatment of him.

Despite being kept a secret for the first 14 years of his life, Joseph has grown into what Schwarzenegger calls an “extraordinary young man.” The former governor expressed regret, stating, “It was wrong what I did. But I don’t want to make Joseph feel that he is not welcomed in this world—because he is very much welcomed in this world. I love him and he has turned out to be an extraordinary young man.”

What are your thoughts on what happened with Schwarzenegger and Shriver? Please let us know in the comments below!