Arnold Schwarzenegger is currently the thirty-eighth Governor of California. He assumed office on November 17, 2003 and got reelected on November 7, 2006. Prior to becoming a politician, he was a world-renowned bodybuilder, an award-winning actor, a businessman, and a philanthropist. He was called by the Guinness Book of World Records as The Most Perfectly Developed Man in the History of the World. Time Magazine also named him as one of the 100 People Who Helped Shape the World in 2004 and 2007. 

Background and Education

Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947 in the town of Thal, Austria.

During his youth, his interests mainly involved physical fitness and bodybuilding. At an early age of 14, he chose to pursue a career in bodybuilding. He won the Mr. Universe title in 1967. At the age of 20, he was the youngest Mr. Universe to have won the title at that time. He would win the title for another four times.  In 1968, he moved to the United States where he trained under the supervision of Joe Weider at Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica, California. In 1970, he won the Mr. Olympia title and would win the title for another six times. 

In 1979, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, majoring in International Marketing of fitness and Business Administration and in June 2002, was granted an honorary doctorate from Chapman University in Orange, California.

In 1983, Arnold became an American citizen. On April 26, 1986, Arnold married Maria Shriver. They have four children.

Career Milestones

Arnold Schwarzenegger is considered as one of the most important personalities in bodybuilding history.  He has become an icon for winning five Mr. Universe titles and seven Mr. Olympia titles and has become an inspiration for people worldwide to enroll themselves in gyms.  His legacy is celebrated in the Arnold Classic, an annual bodybuilding competition. 

He also entered the world of show business when he had his film debut in 1970 for the movie Hercules in New York. Over the years, he has made a number of films including: Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator, Total Recall, and True Lies. Among his awards won are: the Bambi Award in 1996, the Golden Globe in 1977, the Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture for Stay Hungry, and the MTV Movie Award in 1992 for Best Male Performance for Terminator 2 in 1991.

His political career began when he was appointed Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. He later became the Chairman for the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. He also became a Red Cross ambassador between 1993 and 1994. On October 7, 2003, he was first elected in a special recall election to replace Governor Gray Davis and he took oath on November 17, 2003.  Schwarzenegger took oath again on January 5, 2007 when he was reelected to serve his second term as governor.

In 2006, he signed a legislation to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of California. He also augmented the minimum wage and decreased the unemployment rate of the state. He has also allocated millions for the implementation of critical flood control, affordable housing, and transit projects around the state. He has launched the Hydrogen Highway and Million Solar Roofs Plan.