Arnold Schwarzenegger and His 28 Years Younger Girlfriend Heather Milligan’s Relationship Timeline

After Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver divorced in 2011, the Terminator icon found love in Heather Milligan. Arnie and Milligan have been going strong ever since. The physical therapist and the Governator posed as a couple on multiple occasions, and it appears that Milligan is also close to Schwarzenegger’s kids.

Despite being in love for over a decade, they haven’t exchanged vows. But Milligan has been super supportive of Arnie’s endeavors. The cute couple is adored by fans for their PDA as they walk hand-in-hand at events. From riding bikes together to dining out, the former governor and the former gymnast set perfect couple goals. Here’s a relationship timeline of Heather Milligan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Arnold Schwarzenegger met Heather Milligan in 2012

After his political term as governor of California ended in 2011, Schwarzenegger was back on movie sets. While shooting Escape Plan with Sylvester Stallone, Arnie suffered a shoulder injury. During treatment, Schwarzenegger was referred to elite physical therapist Heather Milligan. So, they officially met in 2012, and Milligan did a fantastic job of healing Arnie from the injury within three months before the shooting began. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger shared the incident and recounted, “I said, ‘I got to go do this movie, and I bring a lot of punches, and I have fights with Sly, and I want to have my act together.‘” So, Arnie’s doctor revealed, “’There’s only one (person), it’s Heather — any athlete, I always send them to her, because she’s the only one that knows what they’re talking about,” and he referred the bodybuilder to Milligan. 

After the therapy, Arnie completed the film and called Milligan to invite her for lunch to say ‘Thank You.’ Soon after, they started hanging out and were dating by 2013.

Dating rumors first surfaced in 2013

PEOPLE reported in 2013 that Schwarzenegger was hanging out with ‘new lady friend’ Heather Milligan. They were clicked dining at Babalu in Santa Monica, and the next day, the couple were enjoying a drive in Brentwood. The bodybuilding icon and physical therapist made their first appearance in public soon after.

First appearance in public

In October 2014, the couple attended the Environmental Media Awards. In February 2015, the couple was spotted gracing the red carpet for the Goldene Kamera reception. The following year, Schwarzenegger and Milligan attended the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest. 

In 2016, The Austrian Oak took his 28-year-old younger girlfriend to the Oktoberfest, where they immersed themselves in fun at the White Sausage Party at the Hotel Stangl Wirt in Kitzbühel. Schwarzenegger and Milligan even wore traditional Austrian dresses and savored pretzels, keeping up with the country’s traditions. The 76-year-old’s eldest son, Patrick, was also in attendance at the fest. 

The couple dined with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s kids 

The relationship between the Austrian Oak and the South-California-based physician became deeper with time. Milligan started associating with Arnie’s close family, especially his kids with Shriver. In 2017, Milligan attended the GQ Men Of The Year Awards with Arnie and Patrick Schwarzenegger. In November 2018, she dined with the Governator, Katherine Schwarzenegger, and her husband actor Chris Pratt, at FIG restaurant at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, California.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger shared his thoughts on marriage in 2019

Despite being together with Milligan for several years, Schwarzenegger was not inclined to walk down the aisle for a second time. Citing his mother’s example during the marriage conversation, the 76-year-old said, “I [asked her], ‘If you meet somebody else, are you gonna get married again?’ She says, ‘Nope. There was only your father, whose underwear I washed. I’m not going to wash another guy’s underwear.” Arnie confessed that his mother’s thoughts on marrying resonated with him for a second time.

The couple at the Climate Summit in Vienna in 2021

Heather accompanied Schwarzenegger to most places, and she was by his side during the Austrian World Summit in Vienna in 2021. It was organized by The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative. Austrian President Alexander Van Der Bellen and his wife also graced the event. The Schwarzenegger couple clicked pictures with the President couple at the Summit.

The Austrian Oak defines his relationship with Heather Milligan

In September 2023, Schwarzenegger spoke exclusively with People and called his relationship with the 48-year-old “fantastic.” “I think the world of her. I love that she’s into working. She’s clearly independent. She just is driven as hell,” the 7x Mr. Olympia confessed.

As is tradition for the couple, they have also attended the Oktoberfest this year.

The couple sparked engagement rumors in October 2023

Page Six reported that a ring on the left hand of Milligan sparked engagement rumors with Schwarzenegger. However, sources confirmed that the couple was not engaged. Arnie raised eyebrows when he was seen kissing Hungarian actress Timea Palacsik, as the media outlet was speculating that the couple was casually dating, as per Metro.

Read More: “Crazy That People Think You Have to Get Gigantic and Fat”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Busts a Popular Myth Misguiding Young Bodybuilders

Despite a failed marriage, Arnie found love all over again in Heather Milligan. They set perfect couple goals, complimenting each other in their profession and life. Also, the internet sensation Lulu was a gift Milligan. But will Arnie change his mind to marry Milligan in the future? One has to wait and see.