Arnold Schwarzenegger 2025: Health, Politics & Partner

Anyone who has followed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life knows he doesn’t do things by halves — from Mr. Olympia titles to the Governor’s office. Now in his late 70s, Schwarzenegger is navigating a new chapter: managing his congenital heart condition, maintaining a high-profile relationship, and keeping his political voice sharp.

Age: 76 (born July 30, 1947) ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Net worth: Estimated $450 million ·
Political office: 38th Governor of California (2003–2011) ·
Marital status: Divorced from Maria Shriver (2021)

Here is a quick overview of his essential details.

What is Arnold Schwarzenegger diagnosed with?

Heart condition details

Schwarzenegger was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital condition where the aortic valve has only two leaflets instead of three. This defect forces the heart to work harder and can lead to complications later in life. According to Wikipedia, he has publicly discussed the condition and its impact on his health.

Past surgeries

He has undergone three open-heart surgeries. The first was in 1997, a pulmonary valve homograft replacement. The second came in 2018, an aortic valve replacement. In March 2024, he received a pacemaker to regulate his heart rhythm, as reported by entertainment news site Scene District. The surgeries have not stopped his fitness routine; he continues to cycle and lift weights daily, according to CNBC.

The implication: Schwarzenegger’s congenital condition is manageable with modern medicine, but requires constant vigilance.

Who is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s partner today?

Relationship timeline post-divorce

Schwarzenegger was married to Maria Shriver from 1986 until their divorce was finalized in 2021 (Wikipedia). Since 2013, he has been in a relationship with Heather Milligan, a physical therapist and health coach. The couple makes public appearances together, and Milligan has been photographed at his side during events. According to entertainment news site Scene District, they have no immediate plans to marry.

Public appearances and forgiveness

Schwarzenegger publicly apologized for his affair with Mildred Baena, which produced a child and led to the end of his marriage. Shriver has not publicly stated that she has forgiven him, though they co-parent their four children. The actor has expressed regret in multiple interviews, telling USA Today that he respects his ex-wife but the betrayal remains a private matter.

The pattern: public apologies do not always lead to public forgiveness.

How is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s health right now?

2025 health update

In May 2025, Schwarzenegger told CNBC that the most important move for staying healthy with age is to keep active and avoid excuses. He said, “Engage in some form of activity” and issued his trademark motto: “If you rest, you rust.” He also revealed that he eats mostly plants (Wikipedia) and maintains a rigorous routine of about an hour of cycling and 45 minutes of weight training daily, as reported by CNBC.

Recovery from recent procedures

No acute health crises have been reported in 2025. His pacemaker is functioning normally, and routine check-ups have been uneventful. The actor’s commitment to fitness is a constant, but his medical history means he remains under monitoring.

What this means: for now, his fitness routine is his best medicine.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger LGBT friendly?

Public statements and political actions

Schwarzenegger has consistently supported LGBT rights. As governor, he signed legislation expanding domestic partnerships and protections. According to Wikipedia, he performed a same-sex marriage during his tenure and described himself as “fiscally conservative and socially liberal.” He also said he supports same-sex marriage and opposes discrimination. In 2022, he told CNBC that he rejects excuses about climate change in the Trump era, linking his political pragmatism to action.

Political evolution and Trump

Schwarzenegger, a registered Republican for many years, has become a vocal critic of Donald Trump. He called Trump a “terrible leader” and said he voted for Joe Biden. In a 2025 interview with USA Today, he expressed respect for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. even while disagreeing with some of his policies. The shift reflects a broader move toward centrism and environmental advocacy.

The implication: his actions as governor align with his stated personal beliefs.

What is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life expectancy?

Medical factors influencing longevity

Schwarzenegger’s congenital bicuspid aortic valve and three heart surgeries place him in a higher-risk category. According to medical literature, life expectancy for U.S. males with such conditions is typically 70–80 years, but individual factors like fitness, diet, and medical management can extend it. He has no official prognosis in the public domain. His plant-based diet and daily exercise routine, as reported by CNBC, are modifiable factors that may improve his odds.

Comparison to average male

The average life expectancy for a 76-year-old American male is about 86 years (CDC data via Wikipedia). Given his medical history, Schwarzenegger’s outlook is likely shorter than average, but his active lifestyle could offset some of the risk. The key unknown is how his pacemaker and valve function will hold up over the next decade.

The catch: lifestyle can improve odds, but congenital risks remain.

Timeline signal

• 1947 – Born in Thal, Austria (Wikipedia)
• 1997 – First open-heart surgery (pulmonary valve homograft) (Wikipedia)
• 2003–2011 – Governor of California (Wikipedia)
• 2018 – Second open-heart surgery (aortic valve replacement) (Wikipedia)
• 2021 – Divorce from Maria Shriver finalized (Wikipedia)
• 2024 – Pacemaker surgery (entertainment news site Scene District)
• 2024 – Endorsed Joe Biden for president

The timeline shows a life punctuated by near-decade medical events. The pattern: every six to seven years, Schwarzenegger undergoes a major heart procedure. The implication is that his longevity depends on continued medical vigilance.

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• Schwarzenegger’s congenital heart condition is confirmed by medical records and public statements (Wikipedia).
• He has had three heart surgeries (1997, 2018, 2024) (Wikipedia; entertainment news site Scene District).
• Divorce from Maria Shriver was finalized in 2021 (Wikipedia).
• He is in a relationship with Heather Milligan since 2013 (entertainment news site Scene District).

What’s unclear

• Whether Maria Shriver has forgiven him privately.
• His exact life expectancy, as no official prognosis is public.
• Future political ambitions – he has not ruled out another run for office.
• His current health status beyond routine public statements.
• The full strength and nuance of his current support for Biden and criticism of Trump.
• The extent of his current advocacy for LGBT rights beyond his gubernatorial record.

Quotes

“I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve… I’ve had three open-heart surgeries.”

– Arnold Schwarzenegger, interview with Dr. Oz, 2024

“He’s a terrible leader. I voted for Joe Biden.”

– Arnold Schwarzenegger, CBS Sunday Morning, 2022

“We support each other’s careers and family.”

– Heather Milligan, People magazine, 2023

“If you rest, you rust.”

– Arnold Schwarzenegger, CNBC, 2025

Schwarzenegger’s life is a case study in managed risk and discipline. For readers following his health journey, the choice is clear: keep moving, stay informed, and accept that some questions will remain unanswered. For fans of his political legacy, the takeaway is that his brand of centrism may be more durable than the extremes that dominate today’s headlines.

For more on aging Hollywood icons, see our profile on Shirley MacLaine Today: Health, Life, and Where She Lives. For a deep dive into strength athletes’ health journeys, read about Hafthor Bjornsson: Bell’s Palsy, Rivalry, and Net Worth.

For a deeper look at his evolving political stance and health updates, see Arnold Schwarzeneggers health and politics.

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