Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ex-wife Maria Shriver recently reunited for a rare photograph, sharing the moment 15 years after a scandal involving Schwarzenegger's affair with their housekeeper rocked their marriage. The snapshot, taken during a family celebration for Schwarzenegger's 79th birthday, was shared by their daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt.
Schwarzenegger and Shriver, who married in 1986, share four children: Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher. Their 25-year marriage publicly unraveled in 2011 when it was revealed that Schwarzenegger had fathered a child with their housekeeper, Mildred 'Patty' Baena. The son, Joseph Baena, is now 28 and has pursued a career in bodybuilding, bearing a strong resemblance to his father.
Despite the scandal, Schwarzenegger and Shriver have maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship. The recent photograph shows them smiling side-by-side, dressed in winter attire, suggesting a continued bond.
Shriver, a member of the prominent Kennedy family, is the daughter of Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Schwarzenegger, originally from Austria, rose to international fame as a bodybuilder before transitioning to acting and later politics, serving as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
Their relationship began in 1977, reportedly overlapping with Schwarzenegger's previous relationship. Shriver later reflected that she was drawn to Schwarzenegger's vibrant personality, contrasting with the more serious individuals she knew. Their wedding in 1986 was attended by notable figures, including John F. Kennedy Jr. and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
The couple presented a united front for decades, even throughout Schwarzenegger's governorship. However, the revelation of Joseph Baena's paternity, made public the day after Schwarzenegger left office in 2011, brought their marriage to an end. Baena himself reportedly reacted to the news of his paternity with a simple "Cool!"
Patty Baena, who worked for the family for 20 years, stated she was initially unaware of her son's true father but noted the increasing physical resemblance over time. She also shared that Shriver had confronted her about the paternity, and that Shriver had offered comfort during the confession.
Schwarzenegger's divorce from Shriver was finalized a decade after she filed in 2011. He has since been in a relationship with physical therapist Heather Milligan. Meanwhile, Joseph Baena has spoken about his relationship with his father, acknowledging the challenge of living in a famous father's shadow but emphasizing his own pursuits.
Reports from 2023 suggested that Shriver's children have maintained distance from their half-brother Joseph, with some sources indicating they hold him responsible for their father's past actions.