Meet Joseph Baena, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lookalike son: his dad shocked the world by cheating on ex-wife Maria Shriver – now the 26-year-old is a bodybuilder and Hollywood actor
- Baena just broke the internet with an Instagram fitspo video showing off his physique and resemblance to his famous dad – the two bonded through bodybuilding, but they weren’t always that close
- Netflix docuseries Arnold touched on Arnie’s affair with his then housekeeper Mildred Baena, and Joseph once opened up to Sophia and Sistine Stallone about the ‘scandal’ of learning his dad’s identity
Joseph, 26, has since followed in his father’s footsteps though, not only entering the acting industry, but also taking fitness tips from him. The resemblance between father and son is uncanny: on Monday, Joseph set the internet alight when he posted an Instagram video showing off his physique, with the caption, “Competing with myself to be better every day!”
From the moment it was revealed who is famous father was, to developing a relationship with Schwarzenegger but remaining true to his roots on his mother’s side, here’s what you need to know about Joseph and his journey to fame, his own way.
Joseph Baena was raised by a single mother, Mildred Baena
Born on October 2, 1997, Joseph was raised by Mildred in a single-parent household. Per ABC, Mildred worked as a housekeeper in the Schwarzenegger household for more than 20 years until she retired in 2011.
Joseph has also been outspoken about his background. His mum is Guatemalan-born and, in an interview with Men’s Health, Joseph spoke about growing up in Bakersfield, a suburban desert community about 160km north of Los Angeles. He said “we didn’t have much”, but vividly remembers learning to cook with his mum, celebrating their heritage through food.
The life-changing moment
