Arnold Schwarzenegger knows a thing or two about achieving success. Born in Austria, he carved his own path in Hollywood and eventually transitioned into politics. However, when it comes to his children, Arnold believes in teaching them the value of hard work and self-reliance rather than giving them handouts. This ‘tough love’ approach has even led his son to rethink his career choices. Keep reading to learn more.
Arnold Schwarzenegger often portrays tough characters in movies, and it appears he’s just as tough off-screen. One of his children, Joseph Baena, came into the public eye when it was revealed that Arnold had fathered him with Mildred Patricia Baena, their housekeeper, while he was married to Maria Shriver. The affair caused quite a stir amongst fans and the general public.
Despite the circumstances, Schwarzenegger has supported Joseph throughout his life, even offering him a monthly allowance while he was studying. But Arnold set a clear boundary: the financial support would stop after Joseph graduated from college, requiring him to manage his own expenses from then on.
It’s not that Arnold lacks the funds—he’s a successful actor and businessman with a high-end gym. Yet, he wants his children to forge their own paths. Joseph, who uses his mother’s surname, appreciated his father’s support during his educational years.
But more than financial support, Joseph wants to build his own identity. In an interview, he mentioned, “My dad is old-school; he doesn’t believe in handouts. He believes hard work pays off, and so do I.” Joseph added, “I love the word honor, and I’m very prideful in the sense that if I use my dad’s contacts or ask him for favors, I wonder what honor is that gonna bring me?”
Joseph aimed to follow in his father’s footsteps by pursuing careers in acting and bodybuilding. However, he quickly realized that breaking into the entertainment industry was more challenging than he anticipated. Struggling to land roles that could financially support him, Joseph decided it was time for a change.
Leveraging his Business Administration diploma, Joseph ventured into real estate. “I needed a job and was not getting any of the acting roles that I thought I was going to get. I was like, ‘I need to do something.’ So I started interning at a real estate company,” the 25-year-old explained.
Joseph Baena now enjoys a promising career in real estate. Last year, he celebrated a significant milestone by selling his first house. He shared his excitement on social media with a picture of himself holding a ‘SOLD’ sign, accompanied by the caption, “SOLD!!! Congratulations to my clients for trusting myself and @aria_properties to sell their beautiful Santa Monica Property!🍾🎉🎊.”
Joseph now focuses on the West Los Angeles and Silicon Beach areas and encourages anyone looking to sell their home to contact him. As he continues to build his career, Joseph is also embracing his own identity, separate from his father’s legacy. “I don’t have to get into acting or bodybuilding. I’m very motivated and driven. I’m happy about my relationship with my dad, but I’m more happy that I am finding joy in what I’m doing and that I’m doing exactly what I’ve always dreamed about,” he shared.
Joseph acknowledges the struggle many sons face in trying to make their fathers proud or stepping out of their fathers’ shadows. “A lot of guys struggle with trying to make their dad proud or trying to get out of their dad’s shadow. But as long as you’re doing what you want to do, then that all comes. Of course, maybe those guys don’t have such nice dads,” Joseph concluded.
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We wish the young man luck and success as he continues to pursue his professional dreams. Share this story with other fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger to show them what a disciplined and supportive father he can be!
