Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ex-wife Maria Shriver have put their tumultuous past aside to celebrate the festive season together with their family, fourteen years after a devastating cheating scandal tore their marriage apart.
A Family Christmas Despite the Past
The 78-year-old Terminator icon and the 70-year-old journalist were pictured smiling alongside their children during the holidays, showcasing a remarkable display of familial unity. The heartwarming images were shared by their daughter, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, on her Instagram page this week.
In one particularly poignant snapshot, Katherine is seen crouched between her beaming parents, a visual testament to the healed bonds within the family. Shriver looked elegant in a gold tweed blazer, while Schwarzenegger opted for a black shirt and jacket.
The Scandal That Shattered a 25-Year Marriage
The couple's ability to come together for their family marks a significant chapter following a very public and painful split. The former couple, who married in 1986 after meeting at a tennis tournament in 1977, separated in 2011.
The separation came after Schwarzenegger confessed to a lengthy affair with their housekeeper, Mildred Baena, and admitted to fathering a son, Joseph Baena, now 28, during his marriage to Shriver. The pair had been married for 25 years at the time, and share four children: Katherine, 36, Christina, 34, Patrick, 32, and Christopher, 28.
Despite separating over a decade ago, their divorce was not officially finalised until 2021. In the aftermath, Shriver sought healing through therapy, spiritual retreats, and other counselling.
Rebuilding a Friendship for the Family
Recent months have shown the former couple navigating a surprisingly amicable relationship. In a March interview, Shriver revealed she and Schwarzenegger are in a "good place," focusing on their roles as co-parents and grandparents.
"We laugh a lot about our kids, our grandkids, ourselves," she said. "And we are proud of the fact that we are still in conversation. For almost 50 years!"
Schwarzenegger has also made light-hearted references to his ex-wife in public, joking about her calling him regarding residual payments from their film "Jingle All The Way." The festive reunion, which also included grandchildren, a trip to Disneyland, and Katherine's birthday celebrations with husband Chris Pratt, underscores their commitment to family above past grievances.
The Instagram carousel further featured their son, White Lotus actor Patrick Schwarzenegger, and other brother Christopher, painting a full picture of a family choosing to celebrate together despite a complex history.
