The Hidden Struggles of Joseph Baena, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Son

• celebrities

When one hears the name Arnold Schwarzenegger, images of the Terminator, the Governator, and one of Hollywood's biggest action stars come to mind. However, not many are aware of the journey of his son, Joseph Baena, who grew up in a humble home and faced immense challenges when the truth about his famous father was revealed.

A Life Transformed

Joseph Baena was raised in a Latin American household nearly 100 miles north of Los Angeles. He learned to speak Spanish and was immersed in his Guatemalan heritage through cooking, music, and culture.

"That's a huge part of me. My mom's whole side is Guatemalan; we have a lot of Colombian family. Nearly everyone on that side is Latin American," Joseph shared. It was not until he was 13 years old that Joseph found out about his famous father. "I remember the day very vividly.

I was in the eighth grade. Fifth or sixth period. And I get called out of class to leave. And my mom's there, and she's like, 'We gotta go—everyone is finding out about you and who your father is,'" Joseph recalled. The revelation changed his life forever, as he and his mother were suddenly thrust into the media spotlight.

However, despite the impact on his family life, Arnold Schwarzenegger did not turn his back on Joseph. Instead, the two quickly formed a close bond. Joseph attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where Arnold was present on the day of his graduation.

However, after Joseph graduated, Arnold stopped all financial support. Although Joseph is no longer financially dependent on his father, he remains grateful for the opportunities and support that he received from him.

Career Paths and Dreams

Joseph tried to build a career in the entertainment industry, following in his father's footsteps.

However, when he found it too challenging, he turned to real estate and bodybuilding, though he has not given up acting entirely. He is grateful for everything that Arnold has done for him and does not regret the end of financial support.

"I just love having a goal and then going for it," Joseph shared. When it comes to his acting career, Joseph's aspirations are high. "With acting, I know that my goal is to be a reputable actor and win some awards," he stated.

Although he never took his father's surname, partly to support his mother, Joseph still dreams of making a name for himself in the entertainment industry.