Arnold Schwarzenegger. No introduction is really necessary. Still, Arnold is an Austrian-American actor, bodybuilder, and entrepreneur. He recently served as the 38th Governor of California. He is known as the Austrian Oak, The Governator and Conan the Republican.
Arnold – The Ultimate Success Story
There cannot be a better illustration of the self-made man than Arnold. He was born on July 30, 1947 to Gustav and Aurelia Schwarzenegger in the remote Austrian community of Thal. That’s located down by the Italian border. According to Arnold himself, he was exposed to severe discipline from an early age. It worked.
Arnold Schwarzenegger became disenchanted with soccer at age 15. He describes a sense of “power” when looking at bodybuilders. It was the mental picture that moved him to start weight training. In 1965 he won the Mr. Europe Jr. title.
As long as I live, I will never forget that day 21 years ago when I raised my hand and took the Oath of Citizenship. Do you know how proud I was? I was so proud that I walked around with an American flag around my shoulders all day long.
Arnold went to university in Munich from 1966, studying marketing. In 1968, he won the Pro Mr. Universe title at age 20. Then he came to America at the invitation of bodybuilding champion Joe Weilder. The rest is history. He sustained a career unmatched in its success, adding Mr. World to his list of titles.
Arnold Schwarzenegger – 7 Times Mr. O!
He won the Mr. Universe title five times and Mr. Olympia seven times. At the same time making the sport of bodybuilding more popular. And, as if this weren’t enough, this socially liberal Republican wedded a Democrat from the Kennedy family: Maria Shriver. She was a past news anchor and now mother of their four children. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career reads like the American Dream. It’s a dream that is realized day by day by many individuals that come to the United States to create a new life.
Arnold – Hollywood Legend
After some small parts in the movies, Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in the documentary Pumping Iron (1977). He played a bodybuilder in the film Stay Hungry (1976). His innate charm led to more movies and recognition. He starred in the hit movie Conan the Barbarian in 1982 and became a movie star. He had another big hit in 1984, starring in James Cameron’s The Terminator. 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day was even more successful than the first movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger became one of the highest paid actors in show business.
Arnold Schwarzenegger – Governor
The movie-star-turned California Governor disclosed something in a TV interview. As a young bodybuilder he used experimental steroids on doctors’ advice. He called for a youth ban. Asked on the ABC News program if he had regrets about using steroids. He responded: “No, I have no regrets about it, because at that time. It was something new that came on the market. We went to the doctor and did it under doctor’s supervision.”
Arnold: “And now, of course this is another thing I didn’t count on, that now as the Governor of the State of California, I am selling California worldwide. You see that? Selling.”
On August 6, 2003, the audience attending the Tonight Show received a direct view of a remarkable, jaw-dropping event. It was the declaration of candidacy for the California governorship by ex- bodybuilder and film idol Arnold.
Look at the ideological resume of Arnold. He and Ronald Reagan, were two actors who ran for governor of California. Both had very little electoral experience. Both have little in common. When Arnold ran for governor in 2003, the State of California was running a $38 billion deficit. Despite being a political novice, he was confident that he could handle it.
Arnold Schwarzenegger – Politician
Arnold proved that the various legislators and pundits had underrated his raw intelligence and sharp mind. They were not capable of moving away from a cliché-ridden dismissal of a bodybuilder-movie-star-turned-governor. Those who know Arnold Schwarzenegger can bear out his complexity. The governor spurred himself with the quest for championship success. It began when he was young and a comparative nobody. Then he became a champion governor.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has shown himself to be a skilful politician. That was to the surprise of a lot of Californians. He exploited this talent to a moderate agenda. Also, he embraced bipartisanship.
Arnold Today
Since Arnold was not a natural born citizen, he could not run for President. He left politics and went back to movies. He also has continued promoting bodybuilding. That includes his legendary Arnold Classic. Recently, he just turned 74 years young. How did Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrate his birthday? With a back workout, of course!