Growing up in the small Austrian village of Thal, Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger was no stranger to hardships. Despite being the police chief, Gustav Schwarzenegger never had money, and the family suffered for it. However, in his 2012 autobiography, Schwarzenegger recalled the sacrifices his mother made. The seven-time Mr. Olympia revealed he loved doing things for his mother and did everything for her when he had the means.

In fact, the bodybuilding icon even offered to buy his mother a house in Los Angeles. However, Schwarzenegger made a heart-wrenching confession after her sad demise at 76. The former Mr. Olympia wrote about her struggles and revealed why he strived to provide her with every luxury. 

Aurelia Schwarzenegger and her numerous sacrifices

Former POTUS George Bush once praised Aurelia Schwarzenegger for raising the action star. Schwarzenegger revealed he did things for his mother not only to make her feel like she’d raised her son right but also to reward her “for the hardships of her earlier life.” The Hollywood action icon recalled seeing photographs of Aurelia from when she was around 24.

The five-time Mr. Universe revealed by 24, Aurelia Schwarzenegger had already become a mother of two. “She looked haggard and skinny. It was after the war,” and she had to beg for food, recounted Schwarzenegger. The bodybuilding icon revealed the harsh reality of a family grappling against poverty. However, Schwarzenegger’s mother barely got any help. “She had a husband who got crazy and drunk every so often,” wrote Schwarzenegger about his father in Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story.

The village they lived in had harsh weather, which made things even harder. Despite that, his mother would carry them “over the mountain to the hospital,” whenever Schwarzenegger or his brother fell sick. So Schwarzenegger gave her every comfort when he became successful. “She should have the best time possible,” thought Schwarzenegger.

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However, The Austrian Oak also had another reason. Arnie felt Aurelia Schwarzenegger deserved to be “rewarded for the pain that I caused her by leaving. She deserved to be treated like a queen.” The former Mr. Olympia also revealed how despite their struggles, his mother shared a strong emotional connection with his father while recounting her demise.

How Arnold Schwarzenegger lost his mother

On August 2, 1998, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mother Aurelia Schwarzenegger visited his father and her husband’s grave in Weiz, Austria. However, shortly after arriving, she collapsed after a heart attack. Although the 76-year-old was airlifted to the hospital, doctors couldn’t save her. She died only four days after turning 76.

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The bodybuilding icon revealed he buried his mother “at the gravesite,” where she collapsed beside his father’s grave. “It was very sad but also romantic. She was so connected to him,” wrote the action star. While Schwarzenegger might have felt guilty for leaving Austria, he is happy knowing he could be there for her later in life.