Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger had quite a colorful journey after he came to the US. He found his footing via his bodybuilding career when he amassed the international gaze after claiming Mr. Olympia for seven times. From there, he went straight into Hollywood and later forayed into the world of politics. It was his political career that brought him closer to his former wife, a Kennedy family member, Maria Shriver. As their romance blossomed, Shriver decided to have some fun at the expense of her then-boyfriend by posting Teddy Kennedy bumper stickers on his car. Not many could embarrass Schwarzenegger at the time, but Shriver used it to her political advantage.

In his autobiography Total Recall: My Unbelievable True Life Story, Arnold Schwarzenegger details an episode in chapter 13 titled Maria and Me. In it, Shriver, in an attempt to promote her uncle Teddy Kennedy’s presidential candidature, decorated Schwarzneegger’s car with stickers all over. A proud owner of the jeep, Schwarzenegger felt the need to hide his face in public.

Schwarzenegger simply bucked up and went along with it

Although the two met at the Robert F Kennedy tennis tournament in 1977, it wasn’t until 1980 they got to know each other through their political works. Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger were on opposite sides of the political spectrum with Teddy Kennedy and Ronald Reagan respectively. As ironic as it sounds, this is what brought them closer since Shriver moved to California for it.

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Soon enough into the political promotions in 1980, Schwarzenegger’s jeep turned into a graffiti-filled Teddy Kennedy promotional campaign. Schwarzenegger said in ‘Total Recall: My Unbelievable True Life Story’, “I had a brown Cherokee Chief that I was really proud of. It was massive compared to ordinary cars—the first-ever sport-utility vehicle”.

So, more than his political inclinations, it was his pride for his car that made him “sink a little lower” in shame, and “hoping that no one would see me” after it was adorned with Kennedy bumper stickers. However, Schwarzenegger’s Republican affinity was also well-known in the town. Therefore, it only added to his embarrassment every time he went anywhere, such as the gym.

Schwarzenegger became quickly aware of Shriver’s popularity in town

Schwarzenegger wanted Reagan to win, but he was well aware it was his date at the time everyone cared about. Despite Schwarzenegger being well famous then, it was Shriver whose family ties made her very famous in the town. As he wrote, “her family connections went deep”. Schwarzenegger’s embarrassment didn’t do much harm, as the two continued dating and went on to marry in 1986. With four kids between them, Schwarzenegger and Shriver raised a well-rounded family in California.

Although their marriage ended in a divorce, which Schwarzenegger later regretted, it was fruitful and long-lasting for more than two decades. Schwarzenegger meanwhile kept his political ambitions alive as he held two terms as California governor. Irrespective of how their relationship turned out, that incident in 1980 will stick out in his memory forever.

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