Arnold Schwarzenegger Opens Up About Sacrifices and Missing Time with His Kids During Governorship
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, recently shared his thoughts on the most difficult part of his political career and the sacrifices he had to make while serving as governor from 2003 to 2011. In a podcast interview with “On Purpose With Jay Shetty,” Schwarzenegger revealed that missing valuable time with his children was the most painful aspect of his tenure.
The action star-turned-politician reminisced about the promises he made to the people of California during his campaign. He assured them that they would be his number one priority, but when he ultimately won the election, his duties as governor took precedence over his family life. Schwarzenegger recalled coming home to find his kids crying at the dinner table, deeply disappointed that his political commitments consistently overshadowed his role as a father.
Schwarzenegger shares four children with his ex-wife, Maria Shriver: daughters Katherine and Christina, and sons Patrick and Christopher Schwarzenegger. He also has a son named Joseph Brothers, whom he welcomed in 1997 with the family’s former housekeeper, Mildred “Patty” Baena, while still married to Shriver. The former governor expressed regret over missing his children’s dance recitals, football practices, and school drop-offs due to the demands of his political career.
The 76-year-old Schwarzenegger acknowledged the heartbreak of watching his children cry and complain, knowing that he had promised both the public and his family that they would be his top priority. He confessed to having to make sacrifices when it came to spending time with his loved ones, with Shriver often having to pick up the slack in their household.
Though he initially spent four days a week in Sacramento and three days in Los Angeles, Schwarzenegger eventually modified his work schedule to dedicate more time to his children. He shared that he added another day in Los Angeles to attend school recitals and other important events. The retired bodybuilder emphasized that this adjustment did not hinder his public service but allowed for more invaluable quality time with his kids.
While Schwarzenegger admits to missing out on numerous family occasions, he stressed the importance of having a strong partner. He credited Shriver as the powerhouse of the family during his governorship, as she was there for their children 80 percent of the time while he managed the remaining 20 percent of duties. According to Schwarzenegger, he couldn’t have succeeded as governor without Shriver’s unwavering support.
Despite their divorce in 2011 following revelations of Schwarzenegger’s affair with Patty, the former couple managed to navigate the process amicably. The action star emphasized their ability to work together as a team, ensuring that their children did not suffer due to their personal struggles. Schwarzenegger expressed pride in their children and commended them for their resilience and extraordinary achievements.
In conclusion, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recent interview shed light on the sacrifices he made and the challenges he faced while serving as governor of California. He openly discussed the pain of missing time with his children and the impact it had on them. However, Schwarzenegger also highlighted the importance of teamwork and credited his ex-wife for her immense support throughout his political career.