Coming Out of a Life-Threatening Surgery, Filmmakers Turned Their Back on Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1997: “Don’t Know If We Can Insure Him”

Bodybuilding is a strenuous sport that sometimes takes a toll on an athlete’s body. The side effects may not be visible during their prime but might show themselves later on in life. This can happen to anyone, even the best bodybuilders. In 1997, it happened with the legend Arnold Schwarzenegger resulting in him having to go through a life-threatening heart surgery. By this time, it had been nearly two decades since he left the competitive stage. He was focusing on his acting career when the repercussions of his past came crawling into the present.

Fortunately, despite the sudden complications in his surgery, the Austrian Oak survived. However, Schwarzenegger struggled to find work and restart his career after recovery. In his memoir, the 75-year-old has given a detailed account of the happenings of the past.

Arnold Schwarzenegger floundered in the late 90s

In his autobiography Total Recall, Arnold Schwarzenegger chronicled his struggles after his 1997 bypass surgery. While he was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with his family, the Terminator actor was itching to get his career moving again. In his book, Arnie mentioned that he had to “mount a whole campaign to convince people” he was capable of finishing his job again.

9 months after his surgery, Arnie narrated his tale and showcased enthusiasm on National TV. It was his first attempt to get back in the game. Following this he did everything in his power, from weightlifting to skiing and running on the beach to show that he still had it in him. Despite his efforts to prove that he was fit as a fiddle again, Schwarzenegger found himself surrounded by endless questions and uncertainties.

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Recalling the unforeseen obstacles, Schwarzenegger wrote, “Even so, the studios still were slow returning calls. I was amazed to discover that insurance was an issue. Not only were they telling my agent ‘We don’t know how people feel about him now,’ but also, ‘We just don’t know if we can insure him.'”

The severity of Schwarzenegger’s previous health condition had led to filmmakers being wary of the star. In one of his interviews, the actor revealed he was operated on by 12 surgeons. This was three times the number of surgeons usually present during bypass surgery.

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However, based on how quickly Hollywood dropped the ball during Schwarzenegger’s difficult time, reestablishes the age-old saying – Health is Wealth. Had Schwarzenegger remained as disciplined as in his bodybuilding days, he might not have suffered even after recovering. His story is the last wake-up call one should need to start prioritizing their health. It’s also the reason why the 75-year-old has made significant changes to his lifestyle and diet and now encourages everyone to be more active through his daily newsletter.