“He was not forthcoming with his emotions”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals One Phrase From His Abusive Father Always Motivated Him
The official action hero of Hollywood Arnold Schwarzenegger has come a long way in the world of entertainment. From being the Governor of California to still wearing his acting cap in his mid-70s, when most actors think about their retirement retreat, the Terminator star is still going strong.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a complicated relationship with his father throughout his childhood. According to the actor, his upcoming book is inspired by one of the most heart-touching phrases used by his father. The motivational book is named Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Talks About His Father’s Inspiring Phrase
A person’s childhood is the stepping stone to his adulthood and life beyond. Arnold Schwarzenegger opened up about his relationship with his father during an exclusive interview with the reputed media outlet People.
The actor has never had a great relationship with his father. Gustav Schwarzenegger, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s father was born in a remote town of Austria, Thal. He had fought against the Nazis in World War II and went on to become an alcoholic after the war. The abusive behavior of his father had influenced his childhood and he could not build a good bond with his father.
During the interview, Arnold Schwarzenegger mentioned one of the most inspiring phrases used by his father. He said-
“My father had a hot-and-cold-shower kind of a treatment,”
He further added-
“When he was drunk, he was not forthcoming with his emotions. He was angry. And when he was not—two, three days later, he would maybe feel guilty and buy us ice cream and take us out, hugging, kissing and all that stuff.”
Despite being a person with a hot temper, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s father taught him important lessons in life. He mentioned-
“Be useful. It was the very phrase that motivated me,”
The True Lies actor will be launching his motivational book Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, out Oct. 10 which includes some of the greatest lessons of his life.
Arnold Schwarzenegger On His Relationship With His Abusive Father
During an exclusive interview with People, Arnold Schwarzenegger poured his heart out on his bond with his alcoholic and abusive father. He said-
“I would say that I’m really well-bonded with my kids,”
While talking about his childhood, he mentioned-
“I was never looking for closure. I’m not into all this stuff. Because I never really blamed my father for anything. I never ran around and said, ‘It’s my father’s fault.’ It’s nobody’s fault.”
He further continued-
“I have always fond memories of my dad, and I always will have fond memories of my dad. And I don’t blame him for anything, simply because he did not know any better. He was beaten when he was a kid. It was just a tradition. And then he was forced into [WWII], and was misled,”
His upcoming book Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life is based on his life lessons, the motivational book’s exclusive excerpt mentions-
None of us has a choice about where we come from. I grew up in a small village in Austria at the beginning of the Cold War. My mother was very loving. My father was strict, and he could be physically abusive, but I loved him very much. It was complicated.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a great father and shares a beautiful bond with his kids and even openly mentions on social media his love for them. He feels lucky that his kids did not have to go through the same childhood, that he had been subjected to.
Source: People
