Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver met in 1977. The pair met at a tennis tournament and immediately hit it off. Nine years later, the couple tied the knot in 1986 and stayed together for over 25 years. After Arnold became the Governor of California in 2003, Shriver became the first lady of the state. Shriver had always been part of a famous political dynasty. However, she didn’t seem thrilled with their living situation after Arnold took office.

In fact, she once complained to her mother, Eunice Kennedy, about where Arnold Schwarzenegger was staying. While Arnold owned an 11,000-square-foot mansion at Brentwood, Shriver revealed Arnie was living in a Hyatt Regency suite.

Where Arnold Schwarzenegger was living after becoming governor

In a 2004 Vanity Fair interview, Schwarzenegger’s ex-wife revealed their living situation. Shriver said, “I told my mother, ‘At least Daddy took you to Paris to a mansion. Arnold is in the Hyatt.” Maria mentioned that her father, Sargent Shriver, once took her mother to France when he was the U.S. ambassador. The first lady of California also revealed, “Arnold keeps his shoes in a box in the Hyatt. It is crazy.”

While one may question why Arnie had to stay at a Hyatt Regency Suite instead of his Spanish-styled mansion, there was a good reason for it. The Hyatt where Arnold stayed was opposite the US Capitol. Hence, it made things much easier for the newly appointed Governor of California.

During his early days as Governor, Arnold spent time and the Ronald Reagan Cabinet room and a tent he set up in a private courtyard. Legislators said that the “Governator” was quite enthusiastic about his duties. Sometimes the former Hollywood star would jump on the conference table while wielding the sword from Conan the Barbarian. Arnie would then enact how he’d, “cut the budget”.

READ MORE: “Can’t Vote for a Republican”: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Ex-wife Maria Shriver Once Opened Up about the Political Resentment Their Marriage Provoked

The seven-time Mr. Olympia was the governor of California from 2003 to 2011. 

Maria Shriver’s return to Journalism

Maria Shriver is not only a Kennedy, but she is also a journalist. She developed a passion for journalism while volunteering for her father’s campaign for her father in 1972. Since then Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ex-wife has worked at KYW-TV, CBS, and NBC news. However, as California’s first lady, she left journalism and stayed away from a job she loved, for many years. Shriver returned to journalism after her split with Arnold.

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Arnold and Maria were married from 1986 to 2011. While the marriage lasted, both stood by each other. While the couple’s living situation during the early days of Arnold’s governorship wasn’t ideal, they made it work.