Money can’t buy true happiness, so despite a $400 million fortune, Arnold Schwarzenegger lives a low-key life on his farm

In addition to being a celebrity, 75-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger is also in charge of managing his home and caring for his pets. The actor also landed the part of grandfather.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s estimated net worth in 2021 was $400 million, according to reports. Due to his fortune, he is able to reside in the Pacific Palisades region of Los Angeles, where he owns a mansion with views of the canyons and Pacific Ocean.

The “Terminator” actor and his family have been residing in the Mediterranean-style house for some time. Situated in one of the most elite gated neighborhoods in the city, the property encompasses over 2.5 acres.

Arnold Schwarzenegger during the Digital X event on September 7, 2021, in Cologne, Germany | Source: Getty Images

When his five children, Joseph Baena, Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher Schwarzenegger, come to visit, the home can accommodate them all with its seven bedrooms and baths. There are more breathtaking details throughout the Golden Globe Award nominee’s home.

It features multiple living rooms, a private gym, a chef’s kitchen, entertainment spaces, and much more. The house features a large swimming pool with a spa, a duck pond, and a tennis court outside. Additionally, it has a private patio and balconies with views of the mountains and beach.

‘There is ample space on the estate for the actor to establish a stable in the back of the property with his pets, Whiskey the pony and Lulu the small donkey.

The “Predator” actor’s home also features entertaining areas and patio furniture. Pets are welcome in his backyard, where they are free to roam the spacious field.

The Schwarzenegger children at the "Terminator: Salvation" Los Angeles premiere on May 14, 2009, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Arnold opened his house to the public in 2020 while COVID-19 was on lockdown. That year, when the pandemic quarantine started, the actor posted a video of himself chilling out in the kitchen with Lulu and Whiskey. The vast green field was visible from his rear terrace. Rain or shine, the actor could enjoy the outdoors in his lounge area.

The “Total Recall” actor moved to a nearby location from the family home to be nearer to his kids following his divorce from Maria Shriver.

Even though Arnold was quite wealthy, he nevertheless managed many aspects of his household on his own. With his ex-wife, Mildred Baena, he had Joseph and Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher.

Arnold’s Typical Day-to-Day Activities
Arnold posted a picture of himself carrying a loaded trolley at a Walmart on Facebook in 2014. The actor described how he got an idea after going to the shop and noticing his Muscle Pharm Arnold Series items on the shelves.

He made the decision to issue a challenge to his followers: discover the product in the store, snap pictures, and send them to him. He would then upload the best ones.

Arnold had previously been seen shopping at the retail store. Just by being there, the former governor of California incited chaos at a Walmart in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2011. While filming there, he tweeted that he had left around two in the morning to grab some nutritious snacks.

The actor reportedly published a snapshot of his check-in location and spent $300 on warm garments for his crew. He also expressed gratitude to the Walmart staff for their help.

Arnold revealed his morning ritual on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in February 2022. He disclosed that he would up early, maybe at 5:45 or 6 a.m., in order to tend to his “complaining animals.”

He fed his animals for the first hour because Lulu would “scream” if she wasn’t attended to and let out of her stall. Before he returned the animals to their stables, they would run around on the grass.

In addition to Whiskey and Lulu, the actor owns a large dog named Dutch, who would howl for food and attack his toes if left unfed! The celebrity revealed in a comical way that his neighbors would be awakened by the commotion of the animals if he didn’t feed them!

Ironically, Whiskey and Lulu are welcome guests in the house, where he feeds them oatmeal cookies in the kitchen since Arnold finds the “farmer’s chores” enjoyable and soothing.

Even though the cookies were intended for horses, the actor offers them to the dogs when they become envious! Additionally, he admitted to Jimmy Kimmel that the cookies were so delicious that he ate them!

Arnold disclosed that guests may find the situation peculiar as the dogs would pounce on them and Lulu would run around the home! He recalled his cousin’s arrival just before Christmas in 2021, during which she was taken aback since she was unaware that his animals were staying at the house!

When Lulu shouted and raced inside the house demanding cookies, the cousin was taken aback. His shocked relative questioned why the animal was in the house and not the stable after the actor spoke to it calmly.

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt screamed out anytime Lyla was touched, according to Arnold Schwarzenegger, since she thought he was cradling the infant incorrectly.

The celebrity became wealthy not only from performing but also from modeling, politics, bodybuilding, and commercial ventures. But when he accepted certain people into his life, everything changed.

How Did Being a Grandfather Affect Arnold’s Life?
When Katherine and her husband, Chris Pratt, welcomed their second child, Eloise Christina, in 2022, Arnold became a grandfather twice over. The actor mentioned how simple it was to play the part and gave an explanation.

He would play with his oldest granddaughter, Lyla Maria, for an hour or two when she came to visit. After two hours of visiting, he put her on the horse, they played with the dog, and the child and her parents would depart!

The actor claimed to love their visits and to be very proud of his daughter, even though he believes Chris to be a wonderful man. Additionally, he enjoys spending time with his granddaughter, son-in-law, and daughter when they visit because:

“Every room in the house lights up when they arrive.”

The “Twins” actor claimed in 2021 that Lyla had paid him multiple visits at his Los Angeles residence. He thought the young girl would make an excellent horseback rider when she got to sit on Whiskey and Lulu.

He claimed that his daughter was the diaper changing specialist and that he had never changed his granddaughter’s. Arnold told how Katherine would get really uncomfortable anytime Lyla was touched because she thought he was holding the baby incorrectly, but he would counter that he had done it before and found the whole argument entertaining!

My Husband’s Cousin Came to Stay with Us Temporarily with Her Child – If Only I Had Known It Was All a Setup

When Derek’s cousin Daisy and her son arrive, it seems like an innocent favor. But strange comments, awkward glances, and hidden tension hint at a darker truth. Then comes the devastating revelation: Daisy isn’t his cousin, and Patrick isn’t his nephew. Shattered by betrayal and blindsided by lies, Rebecca is forced to unravel the secrets her husband tried to bury. Can trust survive a truth this explosive, or is it already too late?

When my husband told me his cousin Daisy and her son Patrick needed a place to stay for a couple of weeks, I didn’t think twice. He said they’d fallen on hard times and just needed a little help to get back on their feet.

“Of course,” I said. “Family is family.”

A woman and her son sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

A woman and her son sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

I mean, really? Before Derek and I were married, I had financial issues, too. It had been a struggle and a half to get myself out of my study loan debt, among other things.

So, what would it say about me if I didn’t reach out to help my husband’s family?

That was a month ago. If only I knew how deeply those words would cut.

A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

When Daisy and Patrick arrived, everything seemed fine. At first, Daisy was polite but reserved, and I chalked it up to shyness. She wasn’t particularly warm toward me, but toward Derek?

She was a different person altogether!

She was animated, laughing at his jokes and chatting like they’d known each other forever. I ignored the faint flicker of discomfort that rose in my chest.

A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney

A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney

They were family.

Right?

Patrick, though, was another story. At first, he was just an energetic eight-year-old. But within days, he turned into a whirlwind of chaos.

A little boy playing with his toys | Source: Midjourney

A little boy playing with his toys | Source: Midjourney

Crumbs littered the living room floor, sticky handprints appeared on the walls, and his toys became landmines scattered across the house.

The worst part?

He didn’t listen. I once asked him to clean up after himself, and he threw a tantrum, flinging cushions from the couch.

“You’re not my mother!” he shrieked. “I don’t listen to you!”

I finally had enough one evening.

An upset little boy | Source: Midjourney

An upset little boy | Source: Midjourney

“Patrick,” I said firmly, abandoning the light and caring attitude I wanted to initially use with him. “I need you to understand that you’re a guest here. Act properly. Behave. This isn’t your home.”

His reply made my stomach drop.

“No, Rebecca,” he said, spitting out my name. “My mom told me this is our home now.”

I stared at him, unsure if I’d heard him right.

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

Excuse me?

It had to be a misunderstanding, I told myself. Kids misinterpret things all the time, and Daisy probably said it to make the move easier on him.

But his words stayed with me, a tiny splinter in the back of my mind.

The real unraveling began a week later, during a casual lunch with Derek’s sister, Ashley. She’d come by to invite us to a family dinner, and the three of us were sitting outside, enjoying lemonade and plates of spaghetti. Daisy had taken Patrick for ice cream and a walk to the park.

A little boy holding an ice cream cone | Source: Midjourney

A little boy holding an ice cream cone | Source: Midjourney

At some point, she turned to me with a warm smile.

“You’re a saint for letting them stay here, Becca,” she said.

I waved her off with a laugh, spearing a meatball with my fork.

“Stop it! It’s your family. How could I turn your cousin and nephew away? Why wouldn’t I let them stay?”

A plate of food | Source: Midjourney

A plate of food | Source: Midjourney

Her fork froze midway to her mouth.

“Wait. So he didn’t tell you?” she gasped.

My chest tightened.

“Tell me what? Ash? Derek?”

Ashley’s eyes darted to Derek, who was suddenly very interested in his glass of lemonade.

A man sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney

A man sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney

“Oh, my god. Becca…” she whispered. “You really don’t know…”

“Know what?” My voice wavered as the splinter in my mind turned into a dagger.

Ashley’s face paled.

“Daisy isn’t our cousin, Becca,” she blurted out. “She’s Derek’s ex-girlfriend. And Patrick? He’s their son.”

The room tilted.

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

I had to grip hard onto the edge of the table to steady myself, my pulse pounding in my ears.

“What are you talking about?” I croaked, though deep down, I already knew the answer.

Ashley looked stricken.

“I thought you knew, Becca! Derek told the whole family he’d explained everything to you. Our mother told him that he had to tell you the truth before you got married. Daisy was raising Patrick with her then-boyfriend, but Derek was sending child support to them!”

A talking older woman | Source: Midjourney

A talking older woman | Source: Midjourney

She sighed deeply, remorse filling her lungs. I knew she hated being the one to tell me.

Then, her gaze snapped to him.

“You said you told her!”

Derek didn’t meet my eyes. My stomach churned as every odd moment from the past month clicked into place.

An upset woman | Source: Midjourney

An upset woman | Source: Midjourney

Daisy’s reserved demeanor around me, her easy laughter with Derek, Patrick’s defiant declaration. I felt like the biggest fool on earth.

I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor.

“You have to get back to work. I have to clean up here and log onto a meeting. I will be at your office in two hours. And you’re going to explain everything.”

Derek’s face clouded and then cleared. He nodded.

An upset man sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney

An upset man sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney

“Fine. I’ll push my meetings, Becs,” he said, leaving.

“I’m so sorry, Rebecca,” Ashley said, picking up the empty plates. “I truly thought that Derek was a man of his word.”

“It’s not your fault, babe,” I said. “This is on him. But I need you to know that whatever happens next has nothing to do with you. Okay?”

She nodded meekly and began to wash the dishes.

A woman busy at the sink | Source: Midjourney

A woman busy at the sink | Source: Midjourney

At Derek’s office, I waited in a small conference room, my heart still hammering. When Derek walked in, he looked like he’d aged ten years in the span of an hour.

He sat across from me, his shoulders slumped.

“Start talking,” I demanded.

He exhaled shakily, avoiding my gaze.

A conference room | Source: Midjourney

A conference room | Source: Midjourney

“Yes, Daisy is my ex-girlfriend,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “And Patrick is my son.”

The words hit like a wrecking ball.

“You lied to me,” I said. “You looked me in the eyes and lied. You allowed me to set up the guest room, to turn my home office into a makeshift kid’s room? You watched all of that, and you didn’t think about telling me the truth?”

A cozy guest bedroom | Source: Midjourney

A cozy guest bedroom | Source: Midjourney

“I didn’t know how to tell you, Becca,” he stammered. “It was years before we met. Daisy and I broke up before Patrick was born. I’ve always supported him financially, but I kept my distance. When Daisy reached out, she said that she needed help. And I felt obligated. That’s my son, after all.”

“Obligated?” I spat. “You lied to me about who they are! You let me believe they were your cousin and nephew! Do you have any idea how humiliating this is?”

“I know,” he said, tears pooling in his eyes. “But I was scared. I thought it would push you away. I thought it would be easier this way. I’m sorry. I’ll tell Daisy and Patrick to leave tonight if that’s what you want.”

An upset woman | Source: Midjourney

An upset woman | Source: Midjourney

His desperation might’ve softened me on any other day, but right then, it only made me angrier.

“They should’ve left the moment this charade started. You’ve disrespected me in every way possible.”

He didn’t try to argue.

“You’re right,” he whispered. “I’ll fix this.”

The next few days were excruciating.

An upset man | Source: Midjourney

An upset man | Source: Midjourney

Daisy avoided me entirely, and Patrick kept to his room, his usual chaos replaced by an eerie silence.

Derek threw himself into damage control, arranging for Daisy and Patrick to move into a rental while simultaneously begging for my forgiveness.

I confronted Daisy once, though.

“Why would you go along with this lie?” I demanded, watching her make her way through my kitchen while she made a sandwich.

A woman standing in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A woman standing in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney

She flushed with shame, almost dropping the jar of mayonnaise.

“I didn’t want to lie,” she said softly. “But Derek thought it would be easier. I’m sorry. I never wanted to cause problems.”

Her apology didn’t heal the wound, but it clarified one thing for me:

This disaster was Derek’s making.

A jar of mayonnaise | Source: Midjourney

A jar of mayonnaise | Source: Midjourney

Once Daisy and Patrick moved out, the house felt unbearably quiet.

Derek tried everything to make amends. He left me notes apologizing for his lies, attended therapy on his own, and took on every household chore without being asked.

His remorse was evident, but my trust in him had been shattered.

A man busy in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A man busy in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney

It took weeks of reflection, long conversations with my best friend, Sharon, and more than a few sleepless nights before I made my decision.

“Just know what you’re getting into, Becca,” Sharon said, stirring her matcha latte. “I’ll support you, of course, but please, think about it from all sides.”

One evening, I called Derek into the living room. He sat across from me, his face tense with anticipation.

A matcha latte | Source: Midjourney

A matcha latte | Source: Midjourney

“I’m not ready to forgive you, D,” I began, my voice steady. “But I’m willing to try.”

Relief washed over his face, but I held up a hand.

“This is your last chance, Derek,” I said firmly. “No more lies. No more half-truths. If you want this marriage to survive, you have to earn back my trust.”

“I will,” he said, his voice thick and heavy. “I promise.”

A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

Rebuilding our marriage won’t be easy, and part of me wonders if it’s even possible.

But for now, I’m taking it one day at a time. I’ve learned one thing through all of this. Trust isn’t something you can take for granted.

It’s fragile.

As for Derek? He’s on thin ice. And if he thinks I’ll ignore the warning signs ever again, he’s dead wrong.

So now, I have to figure out how to be a stepmother.

A close up of a couple | Source: Midjourney

A close up of a couple | Source: Midjourney

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