Arnold Schwarzenegger became emotional as he recounted his difficult breakup with ex-wife Maria Shriver and the “pain” caused to his family by the scandal of having an illegitimate child with his maid.

The 75-year-old acting icon’s rise to fame from humble beginnings in rural Austria to Hollywood action hero is chronicled in a three-part series scheduled to premiere June 7 on Netflix – in which, The Terminator star reflects on a turbulent period in his personal life.

Arrnold Schwarzenegger in the trailer for the Netflix documentary “Arnold”.

Schwarzenegger’s 25-year marriage to Shriver collapsed in 2011 when it was reported that he had fathered a son – Joseph Baena, now 25 – with a domestic worker – Mildred Baena.

“People will remember my successes but they will also remember my failures,” Arnold Schwarzenegger said thoughtfully.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and ex-wife Maria Shriver

“It was very difficult, in my marriage, in my relationship with my children. I caused pain to my family. I will have to live with it for the rest of my life,” he said.

The series also includes never-before-seen footage of the star and behind-the-scenes looks at his journey into politics – becoming Governor of California.

Arnold Schwarzenegger with his ex-wife and their four children together

Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger married in 1986, nearly nine years after they first met. They separated in 2011 and finalized their divorce in 2021. 

The two had about $400 million at the time of their separation.

Joseph Baena was born on October 2, 1997, just days after Shriver gave birth to the couple’s fourth child – Christopher.

Joseph Baena (right) was born on October 2, 1997, just a few days after Shriver gave birth to the couple’s fourth child – Christopher

In February, Shriver detailed how her struggles with her ex-husband’s fame and the impact of their divorce led her to seek out the Reverend Mother at a convent in hopes of feeling less ‘worthless’. image’.

After they broke up, Maria became a nun because she couldn’t face her brokenness.

The power couple may appear perfect on the outside, however, on the inside, Maria feels more lonely than ever because of her ex-husband’s elite status.

The series also includes never-before-seen footage of the star and behind-the-scenes looks at his journey into politics – becoming Governor of California

In an episode of the podcast Making Space with Hoda Kotb , the journalist revealed that she sought counseling at a monastery to find peace and give herself “permission” to be vulnerable.

While at the convent, for the first time in her life, Maria felt a little less invisible and began “sobbing”.

“I never allowed myself – to feel, to be vulnerable, to be weak, to be overcome. And the world did that to me” – Maria said.

Maria always felt “invisible” when living in a family with so many famous people

Because of her ex-husband’s fame, Maria explained that she often felt like she was living in the dark.

And, this isn’t the first time the Emmy Award-winning journalist has felt disappointed.

Maria – the granddaughter of the late President John F. Kennedy – said she grew up in a family that was always in the center of public attention, making her feel insecure.

“I grew up feeling invisible in a famous family, extremely famous. There were a lot of really big characters in the family” – Maria said.