5 Shocking Details About Arnold Schwarzenegger's Wife, Ex-Wife, And Decade-Long Secret Relationship

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s romantic life has been as dramatic and newsworthy as his blockbuster films and political career, and as of late 2025, the narrative continues to evolve with fresh updates on his long-term relationship and his incredibly amicable post-divorce life. The former Governor of California and international action star has been in a committed relationship for over a decade following one of Hollywood’s most expensive and drawn-out divorces.

The central figures in this ongoing story are his ex-wife, Maria Shriver, a member of the storied Kennedy dynasty, and his current long-time girlfriend, Heather Milligan, a highly respected physical therapist. Understanding the full scope of Arnold's personal journey requires a deep dive into the high-profile marriage that ended, the secret child that caused the separation, and the quiet, stable partnership he has built today.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Key Relationship Figures: A Biographical Snapshot

Arnold Schwarzenegger's life has been defined by three major relationships, each with its own significant impact on his personal and public image. The following profiles detail the women who have been, and are currently, central to his life.

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Maria Shriver (Ex-Wife)

• Full Name: Maria Owings Shriver
• Born: November 6, 1955 (Age 70 as of late 2025)
• Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Family Connection: Member of the Kennedy family. Her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was the sister of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy.
• Career: Award-winning American journalist, author, activist, and former First Lady of California (2003–2011). She has written six best-selling books.
• Relationship with Arnold: Married in 1986; Separated in 2011; Divorce finalized in 2021.
• Current Partner: Reportedly ready to marry long-time partner, political strategist Matthew Dowd.

Heather Milligan (Current Long-Term Girlfriend)

• Full Name: Heather Milligan
• Profession: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and founder of Elite Orthosport, a highly-regarded physical therapy clinic in Los Angeles. She is known as a 'physio to the stars.'
• Education: Holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and an MBA.
• Relationship with Arnold: Began dating in late 2012/early 2013, shortly after his separation from Shriver. They have been together for over a decade.
• How They Met: Arnold met Heather Milligan in 2012 when he sought her expertise for a shoulder injury while preparing for his film Escape Plan.

Mildred Patricia Baena (Mother of Arnold's Fifth Child)

• Role: Former housekeeper for the Schwarzenegger-Shriver family.
• Connection: Mother of Arnold’s son, Joseph Baena. The revelation of this affair and the existence of his son was the direct cause of the separation between Arnold and Maria Shriver.

The High-Stakes Divorce and Amicable Co-Parenting

The marriage between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver lasted 25 years, but their separation and subsequent divorce became a decade-long legal and personal saga. Maria Shriver filed for divorce in July 2011 after the public revelation that Arnold had fathered a child, Joseph Baena, with the family's long-time housekeeper, Mildred Baena.

The divorce was officially finalized in December 2021, a full ten years after the initial filing. The protracted timeline was primarily attributed to the complexity of dividing their vast marital assets, estimated to be between $400 million and $450 million, acquired over two decades. Because the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement, California law dictated that the fortune should be split equally.

Despite the painful circumstances of the separation, the former couple has successfully transitioned into a remarkably amicable co-parenting relationship. They are frequently seen together at family events, including birthdays, holidays, and dinners with their four children. In a rare public comment in 2025, Arnold even made a joke about Maria taking "half the money" during their divorce, highlighting their current comfortable dynamic.

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Maria Shriver has recently opened up about the emotional toll of the split in her new poetry collection, expressing that she was "consumed by grief" following the breakdown of her marriage. However, recent reports indicate she is in a much better place and is reportedly ready to marry her partner of over a decade, Matthew Dowd, signaling a complete personal rebirth.

The Five Children: A New Generation of Hollywood and Activism

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a father to five children, four with Maria Shriver and one with Mildred Baena. The lives and careers of his children are a crucial part of the Schwarzenegger legacy, demonstrating the family's topical authority in Hollywood, literature, and business.

• Katherine Schwarzenegger (Born 1989): An author and lifestyle blogger. She is arguably the most famous of the Shriver children, having married Hollywood superstar Chris Pratt in 2019. They have two daughters, making Arnold a grandfather.
• Christina Schwarzenegger (Born 1991): A graduate of Georgetown University, she has pursued a career in journalism and has worked as an associate editor for a lifestyle website.
• Patrick Schwarzenegger (Born 1993): A model, actor, and entrepreneur. He has built a successful acting career, starring in films and television series, and has also invested in health-focused businesses.
• Christopher Schwarzenegger (Born 1997): The youngest son with Maria Shriver, he graduated from the University of Michigan and maintains a relatively private life compared to his siblings.
• Joseph Baena (Born 1997): Arnold's son with Mildred Baena. Joseph has followed in his father's footsteps, pursuing a career in bodybuilding, acting, and real estate. He maintains a close and public relationship with his father, often training with him.

The relationship between Arnold and his five children is strong, though there was a period of estrangement for the Shriver children following the affair's revelation. Today, however, they have all moved past the initial shock, with Joseph Baena being fully integrated into Arnold's life, even if his relationship with his half-siblings remains more private.

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Heather Milligan: The Decade-Long Stability After the Storm

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s current partner, Heather Milligan, represents a significant shift in his personal life toward stability and privacy. Their relationship, which quietly began in 2012, has now spanned over a decade, making it one of the longest and most enduring partnerships in his life.

Milligan is not a Hollywood figure but a highly accomplished professional in the field of physical therapy. She holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) and an MBA, and is the founder of Elite Orthosport. Their meeting was purely professional: Arnold was recovering from a shoulder surgery while filming Escape Plan and sought out her expertise. The professional relationship quickly blossomed into a long-term, committed romance.

Their relationship is characterized by low-key public appearances, often seen on bike rides, attending sporting events, or going on double dates. The lack of drama surrounding their coupling is a stark contrast to the media frenzy of Arnold's previous marriage and divorce. This long-term partnership with a successful, non-celebrity professional has provided a grounding influence for the action star in his later years, solidifying his post-political, post-divorce life.