His father once beat him and forced him to stand up and sit down 200 times before he could eat, but Arnold Schwarzenegger said he still loved him, in an upcoming book.

According to an excerpt from the book Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life (released October 10) published by People , the actor writes about his complicated relationship with his father when he was young. 

Although he was loved by his mother, Arnold was often beaten and taught in a strict way by his father.

 Gustav Schwarzenegger – Arnold’s father – fought with the Nazis in World War II, became addicted to alcohol and became violent after the war.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is 76 years old. Photo: AFP

As a teenager, every morning Arnold had to fetch water and chop wood regardless of the weather, standing up and sitting down two hundred times to be allowed to eat breakfast.

 Gustav had mood swings and when he was drunk he couldn’t control his emotions so he beat his two children and his wife. 

Two to three days later, Gustav may feel sorry and take the whole family out, buy ice cream, and hug and kiss his wife and children.

During that time, he did not show sympathy or support for Arnold. For example, when he learned that his son was passionate about bodybuilding, he disapproved and thought it was arrogant and selfish.

 In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , Arnold said he hated being at home so much that he decided to leave when he was 18 and start his own life.

Despite the difficulties of his childhood, the actor kept a positive way of thinking and did not let himself get depressed, using it as motivation to continue developing. Arnold never blamed his father and still loved him.

 “I always keep good memories of my father, I don’t blame him for anything because he didn’t know what else to do at that time.

My father was also beaten when he was young, so beating me was just a habit. After Participating in World War II, my father lost his way,” the actor wrote in the book.

Aurelia Jadrny Schwarzenegger (died 1998) and Gustav Schwarzenegger (died 1972). Photo: Alamy

He said he felt his father’s love through hugs and realized that most of the time, Gustav was a good father. 

Even though what happened was not interesting or pleasant, Arnold still considered it a good life – where he learned many things and found his passion, purpose in life as well as his first teacher.

In the book, the actor said he appreciates his traumatic past: “Even with the bad things that happened, I still choose to remember that they were an important part that helped me transform, achieve success and become a better person.”

person like I am now. If my childhood had been a little better, maybe you wouldn’t have seen this book.

And if it had been a little worse, I might have turned bad and become an alcoholic like my brother. I really I’m grateful for the way I was raised.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger , 76 years old, is an Austrian-born actor, famous for his muscular roles in Hollywood such as The Terminator, Conan the Barbarian, and Commando. 

Before starting his film career, he was a professional bodybuilder, winning Mr. Olympia in the 1970s.

He has four children with his ex-wife – journalist Maria Shriver, including: Christina, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Patrick and Christopher, a son Baena with his maid.