Did Arnold Schwarzenegger Financially Cut Off His Son, Joseph Baena?

Arnold Schwarzenegger has reportedly made a significant decision regarding his son, Joseph Baena.

With the iconic actor's net worth reaching nearly half a billion dollars, many are curious about the reasons behind this decision. Mildred Baena, a former housekeeper for the star's family, gave birth to Joseph while the former Governor of California was still married to Maria Shriver. However, it was not until 2011 that the boy discovered the truth about his paternity. 

Despite being the son of the famous 75-year-old, the budding actor's life has not always been filled with luxury and privilege. After he graduated from college — which was paid for by Schwarzenegger — he reportedly decided to cut him off financially.

Nevertheless, the young man reportedly holds no grudge against the "Kindergarten Cop" actor for making that decision. After the news of the "Terminator" star being his father became public, their family came under intense scrutiny, which was expected given the circumstances. 

In response, the 25-year-old and his mother moved north of Los Angeles to recover from the chaos and maintain a sense of privacy and normalcy. Despite the shocking revelation and the media attention it attracted, Schwarzenegger did not shy away from his newfound son.

On the contrary, he reached out to Joseph, and the two swiftly developed a solid and close bond. In his mid-twenties, he attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and the proud father stood by the fitness model's side to support him on his graduation day. 

Joseph initially aspired to make a mark in the entertainment industry, following in the "Total Recall" star's footsteps. However, landing acting roles proved to be a challenge. Undeterred, he made a career shift and obtained his real estate license, and just like Schwarzenegger, the "DWTS" contestant also embraced bodybuilding as one of his passions.

Initially, Joseph struggled with athleticism and was not naturally gifted in sports. He faced rejection when he did not make the cut for the basketball and soccer teams. However, a turning point came when a friend encouraged him to join the swimming team in high school. Embracing swimming, he got into better physical shape and developed a passion for health and fitness.

Even though Schwarzenegger has a positive relationship with all of his children, those from his marriage to Shriver have not embraced Joseph as their brother.

In May, the star graced the premiere of his new series, "FUBAR," accompanied by his five children. However, tensions between Schwarzenegger's daughters from his marriage to his first wife and their half-brother were evident on the red carpet.

As the author posed on the red carpet, his girls, Katherine and Christina, stood by his side. Surprisingly, Joseph walked the carpet separately, despite also being there to support the politician. 

Following the premiere, a source close to the "Hercules in New York" star revealed the family's dynamics. The insider disclosed that his children with the 67-year-old "don't love" the real estate agent despite the strong bond he shares with their father. 

Interestingly, the filmmaker's sons from his previous marriage, Patrick and Christopher, were notably absent from the film's premiere as well. The source lamented:

"But, honestly, the other kids don't love Joe. It's a shame as he's a perfect kid, and Arnold has always treated him fairly like all his other kids. But for whatever reason, the other kids take [the affair] out on Joe." 

Despite the tension within the family, Joseph showed his cheerful spirit in an Instagram post after the event. He shared a photo of himself, smiling happily with his thumbs up, and expressed his excitement in the caption, "I give FUBAR a two thumbs up!!! Had an amazing time last night at the FUBAR premiere!"

The post sparked numerous comments from fans, many of whom called out his half-siblings for their alleged negative attitude. One praised him as "Arnold's true legacy" and criticized the others as "rich lazy kids" who were jealous. Another person expressed disgust at how he was treated and questioned whether racial hostility played a role, encouraging him to use the situation as motivation for his success.