As a young kid, Joseph was eluded by the complexities faced by adults. But as he was growing up, keeping his identity under wraps was difficult. It was just three people who knew who he was. His mother, grandmother, and his biological father. Young Joseph hardly had any clue about who his father was; thus, when his grandmother sat him through and revealed the name: ‘Arnold Schwarzenegger,’ the young boy simply replied, “cool!”

Everyone was surprised when the news came out in 2011 that Arnold had fathered a child outside wedlock. The news created headlines for days. Though Arnie has repeatedly spoken about his personal life, fans got a sneak peek into Joseph’s perspective when he sat down for an interview.

Arnold’s son takes a walk down the memory lane

When Joseph sat down for a talk with ‘Men’s Health March cover,’ he spoke about that day. Joseph was in his eighth grade when he was instructed to leave the class. Much to his surprise, his mother came to pick him up. He was left clueless when she said, “We gotta go— everyone is finding out about you and who your father is.” As he left the school premise for the first time, he faced swarming news trucks.

As a young Joseph’s world was transforming in front of him, his mother decided to take him away on a road trip to escape the media frenzy. He quoted, “She was really the only person I had, and I was really the only person that she had,” Speaking about the tough time, he further added, “No one knew, and everyone wanted the details.”

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During the tough time, Joseph and his mother, as he quotes, “had each other’s backs.” Joseph’s mother, Mildred Baena, worked as Schwarzenegger’s family house help for 20 years. After the news of her affair with Arnold came to light, she left the job.

With time, the bond between Joseph and Arnold grew stronger

As time passed, things changed for the better. Burring the indifferences, the Schwarzenegger family has emerged stronger. Arnold, too, has grown close to his youngest son Baena. Even his elder children have warmed up to Joseph. The father and son are often spotted spending quality time together.

Joseph may not have taken Arnold’s last name, but he follows his father’s passion. Walking in his father’s footsteps, Arnie’s son is working hard to carve out his own identity. Joseph quotes, “My dad is old-school; he doesn’t believe in handouts. He believes hard work pays off, and so do I.”

Do you think Joseph Baena could build a legacy like that of his father’s?

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