Meet Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lesser-known son, Christopher: he recently made headlines for his dramatic weight loss, graduated in psychology from the University of Michigan, and is related to JFK | South China Morning Post
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Meet Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lesser-known son, Christopher: he recently made headlines for his dramatic weight loss, graduated in psychology from the University of Michigan, and is related to JFK

Christopher Schwarzenegger’s dad Arnold says he can’t keep up with all the sports his son does these days, after his inspiring weight loss journey. Photos: FilmMagic, Getty Images

At the end of last year, Hollywood muscleman Arnold Schwarzenegger was seen giving back to his community when he joined one of Los Angeles’ biggest toy giveaways to hand out gifts to children in need, British media reported.

Christopher Schwarzenegger was born in 1997 and is the youngest child of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ex wife Maria Shriver. Photo: Arnold Schwarzenegger/Facebook

The former California governor headed to the Hollenbeck Youth Centre as part of the 42nd annual Miracle On First Street event.

Christopher Schwarzenegger (right) is a descendant of JFK and RFK thanks to his mum, Maria Shriver. Photo: @patrickschwarzenegger/Instagram
“When I came to this country my friends from Gold’s Gym had a huge Christmas for me and invited me to their house,” he said in a video shared on TikTok and Instagram. “It was fantastic. They gave me Christmas gifts and they had this beautiful Christmas tree, and I felt so included here in America even though I was a foreigner and just came to this country.”
Christopher Schwarzenegger (L) sits with model Abby Champion and her partner, Chris’ brother Patrick Schwarzenegger in 2022 in Munich, Germany. Photo: Getty Images

As we all know, Schwarzenegger didn’t just go on to make it as a body builder in the US, but as an actor and later a politician.

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These days The Terminator star has five children of his own, though some are in the spotlight more than others. His son Christopher is probably the most low-key of the clan.

Here’s what we know about him.

Who was Christopher Schwarzenegger raised by?

Arnold Schwarzenegger loves to give back to his community. Photo: Facebook
Christopher Schwarzenegger was born on September 27, 1997, in Los Angeles, California to Arnie and his now-ex-wife Maria Shriver. He was raised by his parents alongside his older siblings Katherine, Christina, and Patrick Schwarzenegger, per Hola. He also has a half-brother, Joseph Baena, from his dad’s affair with his former housekeeper Mildred Baena.

He is the youngest child of Shriver and Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger with his ex-wife, Maria Shriver, and his children Christina (top left), Katherine (top right), Christopher (bottom left) and Patrick (centre). Photo: @patrickschwarzenegger/Instagram

The 26-year-old is the youngest of Shriver and Arnold’s children together. Besides having a famous actor for a father, Christopher’s mother hails from an even more prestigious background. Maria Shriver is the niece of assassinated US president John F. Kennedy and senator Robert F. Kennedy via her late mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

His middle name honours his maternal grandfather, Sargent Shriver

Christopher Schwarzenegger (right) with his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Photo: @patrickschwarzenegger/Instagram
Christopher’s middle name honours his maternal grandfather, Sargent Shriver, who was an American diplomat, politician and activist that founded the Peace Corps and was at one point America’s ambassador to France and a vice-presidential nominee.

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He graduated from the University of Michigan

 

According to People, Christopher graduated from the University of Michigan in 2020, but had to do so online due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Fox News reported that the youngster studied psychology at the institution.

Maria Shriver with her son Christopher Schwarzenegger, whose middle name, Sargent, comes from her father. Photo: Getty Images

It’s unclear which line of work Christopher has ended up pursuing, but his actor brother Patrick recently paid tribute to his brother on his birthday saying that he had a “new job”.

Maria Shriver (C) with Patrick Schwarzenegger, Christopher Schwarzenegger (far right), Katherine Schwarzenegger, and Christina Schwarzenegger in 2017. Photo: WireImage

In the post Patrick wrote: “Proud of you. Crushing in the gym. Whole new person. Can’t wait to see what this year brings”.

He’s very low-key

Christopher Schwarzenegger and his brother, the actor Patrick Schwarzenegger. Photo: @patrickschwarzenegger/Instagram

Christopher has remained firmly out of the spotlight despite his father – and many of his siblings – making regular public appearances.

Arnold Schwarzenegger with Christopher Schwarzenegger as a child. Photo: @chwarzenegger/Instagram
His Instagram account is private and has a short bio that simply reads “Lakers and University of Michigan. If I don’t know you, don’t try to follow me”. With very little about him online too, he appears to be one of the rare Hollywood “nepo babies” to choose a normal life over the glitz and glamour – for now, at least.

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He had a dramatic weight transformation

Christopher Schwarzenegger and his brother Patrick. Photo: @patrickschwarzenegger/Instagram

But that doesn’t mean Christopher doesn’t have access to some of the top treatments, fitness equipment and experts out there. In August this year, Christopher looked almost unrecognisable compared to previous photos when he stepped out in Los Angeles after a workout, with a noticeably slimmer, more toned physique. Clearly, he’s put in the work – and it shows!

His dad showed his support for his son and his transformational journey back in 2021, writing on Instagram: “Between your boxing classes, your weightlifting classes, your stretching classes, your cycling classes, and on and on, I can’t even keep up with you!” he added, “I love you and I’m proud of you every day!”

  • Christopher was born on September 27, 1997, in LA to Arnold Schwarzenegger and his now ex-wife Maria Shriver – and grew up alongside siblings Katherine, Christina and Patrick
  • The 26-year-old is very low-key, has a private social media account, and rarely makes public appearances – but he did make headlines for recent photos that showed off his dramatic body transformation