Why Arnold Schwarzenegger Doesn't Think He's "Self-Made" Despite His Smart Money Moves

Highlights

• Schwarzenegger credits his success not to himself, but to the mentors and figures who shaped his journey.
• The Terminator star's career evolution from bodybuilder to Hollywood actor contributed to his $450M success.
• Despite his accomplishments, Schwarzenegger regrets not being able to run for president and believes he could have made a great leader.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has one of the most admirable success stories in Hollywood. He went from winning the Mr. Olympia title seven times to being a blockbuster movie star. His fame also helped him become the 38th governor of California, serving from 2003 to 2011. The actor has always been open about his tough life in Austria before pursuing his dreams in the U.S. Still, he refuses to call himself self-made.

And it's not because he used to scam people before his Hollywood stardom. Schwarzenegger – who was married to the Kennedys' Maria Shriver – doesn't believe he made his achievements all by himself despite building his own path like his love child Joseph Baena nowadays. Here's a closer look at the Terminator star's journey to being a multi-millionaire.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Made His Kids Watch His Self-Proclaimed 'Worst Film Ever' As A Punishment

Although his co-star is advocating for a remake, Arnold Schwarzenegger used the '80s film for different reasons.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Denies Being "Self-Made" As He Had "A Lot Of Help"

In a foreword to Tim Ferriss' 2016 book, Tools of Titans, Schwarzenegger said he's "not a self-made man." He revealed that people are "always shocked" when he thanks them for the high praise but reject it at the same time. He doesn't deny his struggles pre-fame, but he does acknowledge the "mentors" who have helped him along the way.

"I am not a self-made man," he wrote. "Every time I give a speech at a business conference, or speak to college students, or do a Reddit AMA, someone says it. They're always shocked when I thank them for the compliment but say, 'I am not a self-made man. I got a lot of help.'"

He then clarified: "It is true that I grew up in Austria without plumbing. It is true that I moved to America alone with just a gym bag. And it is true that I worked as a bricklayer and invested in real estate to become a millionaire before I ever swung the sword in Conan the Barbarian."

"But it is not true that I am self-made. Like everyone, to get to where I am, I stood on the shoulders of giants."

The True Lies alum explained that his "life was built on a foundation of parents, coaches, and teachers; of kind souls who lent couches or gym back rooms where [he] could sleep; of mentors who shared wisdom and advice; of idols who motivated [him] from the pages of magazines (and, as [his] life grew, from personal interaction)..."

He went on to mention his "mother [for] helping [him] with [his] homework," his father for "telling [him] to 'be useful,'" Reg Park for being his "blueprint," and "Joe Weider [who] brought [him] to America and took [him] under his wing."

He also expressed his gratitude for figures like "Nelson Mandela, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Muhammad Ali, from Andy Warhol to George H.W. Bush," who "pour fuel on [Schwarzenegger's] fire."

Arnold Schwarzenegger said his father inflicted him with what "would now be called child abuse."

Mildred Baena’s Life Changed After Her Affair And Love Child With Arnold Schwarzenegger

Mildred Baena's life never remained the same as soon as the world learned about her love child with movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger.

How Arnold Schwarzenegger Amassed His $450 Million Net Worth

According to The Richest, Schwarzenegger earned a total of $1 million from his bodybuilding career. He was only 17 when he won his first contest. At age 20, he won the Mr. Universe title and then later won Mr. Olympia seven times since. The Conan the Barbarian star made his first million by age 22 from contests, endorsements, public appearances, as well as businesses like his mail-order bodybuilding equipment company.

He then used his savings to invest in real estate and other lucrative deals. By the late 1980s, his property portfolio grew to over $100 million. He's still raking in a lot of money from these commercial property developments. And with him still cashing in on his acting salaries and royalties, the children of his children are practically set for life.

The Total Recall alum made at least $22 million from each of his hit movies. His entire movie fortune is estimated to be worth $200 million. He also earned a total of $3.5 million from his gubernatorial stint. Here's a timeline of Schwarzenegger's colorful career:

Vanessa Williams Was "Miserable" While Fighting Off Arnold Schwarzenegger Dating Rumors In The Film, Eraser

Vanessa Williams had a difficult experience alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger during the 1996 film, Eraser.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Thinks He "Would've Made A Great President"

Schwarzenegger has done a lot of big things. What's left, really, is to become the next POTUS. Unfortunately, citizens born abroad can't run for the position. When Howard Stern asked him about that "one thing" in 2023, the Pumping Iron star said: "It really wasn't because I felt like everything I've accomplished in my life—[the] bodybuilding career, the movie career, becoming Governor, setting up my Schwarzenegger Institute."

He continued: "All this stuff, the millions of dollars I made and everything – It's all because of America. So, why would I complain about the one thing I can't do?" The host said, "I think you would've won," and the actor admitted that he'd be "great" for the job, too.

"I think that I would've made a great president. I think that I have the energy and the will to bring people together."

The Twins star added: "You think about it and you're absolutely right because so many people come up to me and go, 'Oh, I wish you could be our president...' There are so many people out there in America who need help, so I think we should all concentrate on that … and not just think about ourselves."

While promoting his new book, Be Useful, Schwarzenegger also reminded his fans: "To me, it's all about hard work. That's why I say in my book [to] work your ass off. There's no shortcut... Anyone who tries to baby themselves … it’s over. You’re never going to get there … You have to be able to struggle."

After finalizing their divorce in 2021, Maria Shriver is now entitled to half of Arnold Schwarzenegger's retirement money.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGiYq6afobFuv8Khrpqqqpq7prPGnqlmpp%2BperSxy59kppmUmnqvsdNmrqiqpJ18