Arnold Schwarzenegger’s nephew, Patrick, was primarily raised by his mother and grandparents in Munich, Germany. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006 but retained his Austrian citizenship like his now-famous uncle. In 1991 Knapp Schwarzenegger graduated from UCLA with a degree in Economics and Political Science.
Today, Patrick is a lawyer with decades of experience. He was Arnold’s advisor while he was the host of “The New Celebrity Apprentice,” alongside Tyra Banks, Warren Buffet, and others. Despite the fact that he is a businessman/lawyer, he has also dipped his toes in Hollywood as he has been involved in the filmmaking process of two productions.
A Businessman
One perhaps lesser-known part of Schwarzenegger’s life is that he was already a relatively successful businessman before his celebrity took off. He started a bricklaying business in 1968 in California at just twenty-one years old. Curiously enough, he went into business with fellow bodybuilder Franco Columbo, and his company became essential after the San Fernando earthquake in 1971
The natural disaster resulted in damages in the construction and real estate world at $500 million. That’s a lot of damage! Columbo and Schwarzenegger carried on working together in the construction industry for years to come and their friendship only grew stronger as the years went by.
Sudden Tragedy
As he reveled in his success acheiving his Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia titles in the U.S., tragedy struck close to home for Schwarzenegger. Arnold’s brother, Meinhard, was killed in a traffic accident in 1971 while driving under the influence. And just a year and a half later, his father also passed. Arnold did not attend either one of their funerals.
Although he was on good terms with Meinhard, he reportedly wanted to avoid seeing his father, with whom he had a strained relationship. A while after this, Arnold was able to help his nephew, Patrick, come to America. Schwarzenegger ended up opening a lot of doors for him.
Body of Work
Arnold went on to take three Mr. Universe titles and seven Mr. Olympia titles, the last of which he won after joining the competition exceptionally late! However, there has been controversy over his use of anabolic steroids, which he took while still legal.
In 1977 he commented on this, saying that “steroids were helpful to me in maintaining muscle size while on a strict diet in preparation for a contest. I did not use them for muscle growth, but rather for muscle maintenance when cutting up.” With a body like that, it’s no wonder that he used a little something something on the side.
His First Films
Schwarzenegger’s acting ambition began to pay off when he was cast as Hercules in 1969’s "Hercules" in New York, though his accent was dubbed over. Though his first accolade in acting was not received very well, as it received low ratings, he did go on to redeem himself in a long list of other productions down the line.
He won a Golden Globe in 1976 for New Star of the Year for his role in the movie "Stay Hungry." But he probably was most at home while starring in the 1977 bodybuilding film, "Pumping Iron." Though his filmography is very impressive today, Schwarzenegger admitted that “It was very difficult for me in the beginning.”