Ex-Wife Maria Shriver Wanted Kids With Arnold Schwarzenegger to Gain Just One Quality From Their Bodybuilder Dad: From 2018 Interview

Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger are both established and respected individuals in their fields. While Shriver comes from the Kennedy family, she worked hard from a young age to become a successful reporter. Arnold built a brand that became beloved by fans across the world, and he did it from scratch.

So when Oprah asked Maria Shriver, the one quality she wanted her kids to gain from their dad, she didn’t hesitate to answer.

Maria Shriver revealed that one quality

On 24 June 2018, Maria Shriver sat down for a chat with her old friend, Oprah Winfrey, on Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations podcast. During the interview, Oprah asked Maria, “How do you raise kind, yet ambitious children?” She also asked if the Schwarzenegger-Shriver legacy is a lot to bear for their children.

Maria replied, “I say to them, look, you know at the end of the day, you’re you. You will surround yourself with people who know you and love you.”

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However, Maria said the one quality both she and Arnold wanted their kids to have is to be hardworking. “I think people will always think you don’t have to work, it came easy. So you’re going to probably have to work twice as hard,” said Arnold’s ex-wife.

As a member of the Kennedys, Maria was part of political royalty. Since she also grew up amidst family members who were famous and respected, Maria could relate to her children from the beginning. Maria also said she told her children, “I don’t expect you to make a lot of money, but I expect you to work hard, as does your dad.” 

After Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived in America

Arnold Schwarzenegger never stopped working hard. However, it was even more difficult when he first arrived in America in 1968. ‘Austrian Oak’ trained for hours to be the best bodybuilder in the world. He also learned English, enrolled at the University of California, and then further studied at The University of Wisconsin.

By 1983, Arnold Schwarzenegger had earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing, won a Golden Globe, won Mr. Olympia seven times, and also became a US citizen.

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Both Maria Shriver and Arnold worked hard to establish themselves. While Maria could’ve rested easily on her laurels, she carved out a successful career in journalism. The ability to work hard for one’s own identity is what both parents wanted their kids to inherit the most.