Changing the Norms, Maria Shriver Once Stood Beside Ex-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger to Help Him Carry Out His Duties: “Would Be Something Wrong if I Didn’t”

For over five decades, the name Arnold Schwarzenegger has resonated with people for various reasons. He served as an idol for every aspiring bodybuilder there was. When it was Arnold’s turn to light the movie screens up with his action, the audience loved him so much that he became one of the most iconic action heroes of all time. And for the third significant role of his life, Schwarzenegger was chosen as the Governor of California in back-to-back elections.

Acting as the Governor of California, Arnold came under public scrutiny the most. This meant he needed the utmost support from everyone around him. And at the helm of the support system was his ex-wife, Maria Shriver.

Maria Shriver brought about positive changes while helping Arnold Schwarzenegger in office

For as long as they were together, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver were one of the most influential power couples in the country. While one came from gloriously celebrated bodybuilding and acting career, the other was the daughter of one of the most significant political families in the US — the Kennedy family. Battling through backlash, the duo supported each other every step of the way as Arnold took the Governor’s office.

From the early years of their romantic life, Maria walked alongside Arnold, helping him every step of the way. Be it the 1980 Mr. Olympia competition where Shriver told Arnold what poses suited him better or be it the walk across the hall to the office where the Governor of California sat.

While walking through the Governor’s mansion, Maria came across a corridor called, ‘horseshoe.’ There was a wall here where visitors would stop by and marvel at the putty-faced portraits of all the Governors, from Peter Burnett to Pete Wilson. To Maria, it was a scene depicting the past, present, and future of not just California but of her and all other women as well.

READ MORE: “She Started Shaking”: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Ex-Wife Maria Shriver Broke Down In Tears After Knowing About His Career Switch Decision Reminding Her Of Own Family Horrors

In an interview in 2005, Arnold recalled the moment Maria first discovered the famed wall. He said, “It was like the world had come to an end. She said, ‘Can you believe this?’ I looked around and saw the governors. She said, ‘Where are the first ladies?’ They said, ‘We don’t have any.’ And she said, ‘Then get them up there.'” Shriver would help Arnold for days on end to help him fill over 1600 jobs in the state government. “There would be something wrong if I didn’t weigh in with my husband, wouldn’t there? We are a team.”

Shriver had a long and arduous personal journey throughout Arnold’s tenure

When Maria first heard the news of Arnold joining politics, she wasn’t jumping with joy. Instead, she was trembling with fear. Fear of what she had witnessed all her childhood. Schwarzenegger thought Maria would be happy to hear the news, but the reality was the contrary.

In came Maria’s mother, Eunice Shriver. Maria paid heed to her mother’s advice and stood strong to support her husband. While on the one side, Shriver had to sit idly by as a vital aspect of her life die down like embers. The other side saw a strong and supportive wife stand firmly alongside her husband as he entered office as the 38th Governor of California.

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