What Happened to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver?

Arnold Schwarzenegger, a bodybuilding legend, Hollywood superstar, and former Governor of California, married journalist Maria Shriver, a niece of President John F. Kennedy, on April 26, 1986. Their union brought together two powerful American dynasties and produced four children: Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher. Shriver served as California's First Lady during Schwarzenegger's two terms as governor from 2003 to 2011.

The couple's marriage publicly unraveled in May 2011 when they announced their separation. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that Schwarzenegger had fathered a child, Joseph Baena, with their longtime housekeeper years earlier. Shriver filed for divorce in June 2011, citing irreconcilable differences.

The divorce proceedings were notably protracted, taking over a decade to finalize due to a complex property settlement agreement and, reportedly, a lack of motivation from both parties. Their divorce was officially finalized on December 28, 2021. Despite the difficult circumstances of their split, Schwarzenegger and Shriver have consistently maintained a friendly and respectful co-parenting relationship, often appearing together for family milestones and holidays.

In the years following their divorce, both individuals have remained active and influential. Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his acting career, starring in the Netflix action-comedy series 'FUBAR,' which premiered its first season in May 2023 and its second season in June 2025 before being canceled in August 2025. He has also intensified his focus on environmental advocacy, hosting the 10th annual AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT in Vienna in June 2026 and launching the 'Pump for the Planet' campaign on Earth Day 2026. In July 2026, he celebrated his 79th birthday, with Shriver and their children in attendance, and he continues his long-term relationship with physical therapist Heather Milligan.

Maria Shriver has continued her prolific career as a journalist, author, and advocate. Her memoir and poetry collection, 'I Am Maria,' became a #1 New York Times bestseller in 2025, offering a personal reflection on her journey of self-discovery. She remains a leading voice in women's health, particularly in Alzheimer's research, through her organization, The Women's Alzheimer's Movement, and her role as Strategic Advisor on Women's Health and Alzheimer's at Cleveland Clinic. In September 2026, Shriver spoke at the TIME100 Health Leadership Forum, emphasizing the importance of women's brain health. Reports in October 2025 indicated she was considering marriage to her long-term partner, Matthew Dowd. She also co-founded the brain-health nutrition company MOSH with her son Patrick in 2021.