Arnold Schwarzenegger provided for his secret child and his mother but it is interesting to know how costly that was for the actor.
HIGHLIGHTS
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s personal life drastically changed when news broke about his secret son, leading fans to question if he paid to keep the affair a secret.
Schwarzenegger provided for his love child, Joseph Baena, by buying his mother a home and financially supporting them both.
Schwarzenegger claims he did what he believed was right, taking responsibility for his actions, providing evidence of their father-son relationship in their continued interactions.
Throughout most of Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s life in the public eye, he seemed to be leading the perfect life. Between his huge fortune, his political success, his gorgeous wife who appeared to adore him, and his children, Schwarzenegger seemed to have everything going for him.
Then, the perception of Schwarzenegger’s personal life changed forever following the disclosure that he had a secret son. Since that news broke, many fans have wondered if Schwarzenegger spent a fortune trying to keep his affair a secret.
Did Arnold Schwarzenegger Pay To Keep His Love Child A Secret?
Between 2003 and 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California. During his tenure in office, Schwarzenegger had to deal with a slew of controversies, just like every other politician has to.
As Schwarzenegger’s political career faced ups and downs, his wife Maria Shriver was right there by his side. Prior to that, Shriver and Schwarzenegger always seemed to be very happy together since they walked down the aisle in 1986.
Given how solid Schwarzenegger and Shriver’s marriage appeared to be from the outside looking in, nobody expected what was to come. Only four months after Schwarzenegger’s tenure as the Governor ended, it was announced that he and Shriver were separating.
When that news broke, many fans had a lot of questions, but it wouldn’t take long for answers to be revealed. A week after the separation was announced, The Los Angeles Times reported that Schwarzenegger had an affair and fathered the son of his family’s maid, Mildred Patricia “Patty” Baena.
After Schwarzenegger’s son with the maid was born, Joseph Baena, he reportedly grew up alongside his half-siblings.
However, since the truth of Joseph Baena’s parentage was revealed to Schwarzenegger’s other children, he reportedly isn’t close with his half-siblings anymore.
Even though Joseph Baena couldn’t control how he was born, it seems pretty clear that his half-siblings blame him for their parents’ marriage ending.
With that in mind, it begs an obvious question, did Schwarzenegger spend lots of money for years to keep Joseph Baena a secret?
Since the world learned about Joseph Baena’s origin, Schwarzenegger has made it clear that he provided for his maid to raise their child. It has also been reported that Schwarzenegger bought Mildred Baena’s home where their son was raised.
Even though the purchase was made under Mildred’s name, neighbors say that the real estate agent told them Schwarzenegger actually paid for the home.
Between Schwarzenegger providing for Joseph Baena’s upbringing and reportedly buying his maid a home, it may seem like he was paying to keep his affair a secret.
However, when Schwarzenegger was interviewed by 60 Minutes in 2012, he insisted that wasn’t the case.
First off, Schwarzenegger was adamant that Mildred Baena is a good person who never tried to cash in on the situation.
“I don’t think that Mildred was at all into talking. Mildred is a good person. She was not out to get me or to take advantage.
Also during the 60 Minutes interview, Schwarzenegger said that he never even discussed Joseph Baena parentage with Mildred Baena. Instead, he figured it out as Joseph Baena grew up and started to look like him.
Schwarzenegger says that once he understood the situation, he concluded that it was his responsibility to take care of Mildred and Joseph Baena.
“It just appeared to me there was something off, that he started looking like me. So that’s when I kind of got it, it was never discussed. But, I mean, I put the things together here.
I felt like that I should take on the responsibility of taking care of him and her. And so I started taking care of Joseph financially.”
“I gave it to her and she knew what it was about.”
Schwarzenegger also went on to explain why he always kept Midred Baena employed after the truth of who her son was became clear. “It was more that – it will be the wrong thing to do, to let them go.
And, not make her feel like she’s being punished when I find out that this is my child.”
Did Arnold Schwarzenegger Continue To Support His Love Child Joseph Baena?
From the outside looking in, there is no way to know how much money Arnold Schwarzenegger paid to provide for Joseph Baena before the truth came out.
What does seem clear, however, is that Schwarzenegger spent a good amount of money on Joseph Baena growing up.
Given how costly providing for Joseph Baena almost certainly was, it may be hard for some people to believe Schwarzenegger was only paying because it was the right thing.
However, once fans learn about the incredible lifestyle Schwarzenegger provides for his pets, it becomes a lot easier to believe Schwarzenegger’s claims.
On top of that, the proof appears to be in the pudding. Everything Schwarzenegger has done since Joseph Baena’s existence was revealed to the world seems to back up his claim he was only trying to be a good father.
First off, the most obvious indication that Schwarzenegger wanted to do the right thing for Joseph Baena is their current relationship. Even though it has widely been reported that Schwarzenegger’s other kids have rejected Joseph Baena, his father certainly hasn’t.
During interviews, Schwarzenegger has repeatedly talked about loving Joseph Baena and how they are part of each other’s lives. On top of that, Joseph Baena has been photographed consistently spending time with his father in recent years.
The most important proof that Schwarzenegger wasn’t paying to keep Joseph Baena a secret is what happened after his son was discovered. For years after the world learned about Joseph Baena, Schwarzenegger continued to provide for him.
According to reports, it was only after Joseph Baena graduated from school that Schwarzenegger stopped providing for him. Schwarzenegger reportedly decided at that point that Joseph Baena needed to learn to make his own way in the world.
Judging by how close Joseph Baena and Schwarzenegger seem to be, however, it seems very likely from the outside looking in that he would be there for his son if he needed to be.
