That moment in a man’s life, when they become a father, is forever special and magical. It brings even the toughest men to tears while holding their child for the first time in their lap. Something similar happened with the bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger when his eldest child Katherine Schwarzenegger was born. The moment, shared between him and his then-wife Maria Shriver, moved him beyond expectations. So much so that he felt absurd about ever doubting his friends describing the wonder of the moment in the past.
The birth of his first child, AKA Katherine Schwarzenegger, hit The Terminator actor like a burst of joyful tears. The year was 1989 when Arnold and Maria welcomed Katherine into this world. It changed every conception Schwarzenegger had about fathers and their emotions that day. Although later he became the father of four more children, the experience of having a first child holds a special place in Arnie’s life.
A huge myth dispelled for Arnold Schwarzenegger
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In his autobiography ‘Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story‘, Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote, “Whenever I heard guys say that they cried after their baby was born, I always thought, ‘That is such bulls**t'”. Schwarzenegger had no idea of the overwhelming emotions then, that were going to hit him years later when he himself became a father.
Later he noted, “But sure enough, when I went home and called my friends about Katherine’s birth, I cried”. Needless to say, his then-wife Maria Shriver was also “crying for joy”, and the two spent time together lying by her bed.
Schwarzenegger’s curiosity regarding the moment lingered with him forever; as does with any man supposedly. The idea that something billions of people have done before him, and also continue to do after him, can still be so overwhelming and bring such joy, is almost unfathomable.
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How Katherine brought a bundle of joy into Schwarzenegger and Shriver’s life
Schwarzenegger also noted in the book that his duties weren’t over after the moment passed. Instead, it had just begun. He worked with the nurse to clean up the baby, prevented her from getting cold, put on her diaper, and whatnot. They also took endless photographs together with the baby, i.e. Katherine Schwarzenegger.
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That was day 1 of Katherine Schwarzenegger. And today, she is 33 years old, married to Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt, and has two children of her own – Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger Pratt and Eloise Christina Schwarzenegger Pratt. Staying true to her father’s genetics, Katherine Schwarzenegger was also in great shape just 6 months after giving birth. It’s truly remarkable how life completes a full circle so quickly.
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