But who wouldn’t crack a grin when asked to open a museum dedicated to all things about yourself, especially if curators had promised a hero’s welcome.

And former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn’t the only one smiling at the official opening of his museum, as hundreds of fans took to the streets to welcome ‘Austria’s most famous living son.’

He’s back: Arnold Schwarzenegger, unveils a statue of himself in a bodybuilding pose as his son Patrick (R) watches at a museum dedicated to all things Arnie

Located in the two-story Thal village house where Schwarzenegger was born the museum is packed full of mementoes, including the metal bed that he slept on as a youth, several life-size ‘Terminator’ models and the polished dark wooden desk he sat behind while California’s governor.

Schwarzenegger also unveiled a bronze statue of himself, which he commissioned, and made a speech to fans.

Invoking the title of one of his early films, he told waiting fans anything was possible as long as they ‘stay hungry.’

He said he wishes that every person who visits the museum ‘understands that everyone can be successful in his own way.’

‘My personal success has less to do with millions of dollars or with the headlines in the media that are not always positive and also not with being clapped on the shoulder by Barack Obama and other world names,’ he said. ‘Personal success is the result of determination, hard work and stubbornness.

All smiles: Arnold Schwarzenegger (right) with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann who said the country was ‘so proud’ of Austria’s most famous living son’

A pat on the back: Arnold Schwarzenegger tells fans to ‘stay hungry’ in his speech as he touches a statue of himself

Heroes welcome:  Arnold Schwarzenegger, drinking a glass of wine during a stroll through Graz and, right, placing his hands in cement

Welcoming: The sign on the door of the museum reads Arnold Schwarzenegger house of birt

A step back in time: A visitor takes touches a life size figure inside the house where Arnold Schwarzenegger was born

‘For me, this is not only a museum,’ he added, gesturing to the yellow-stuccoed house behind him. ‘It is also a symbol of will … everyone has a chance.’.

With Schwarzenegger was Patrick, his son from his marriage with Maria Shriver.

The museum displays photos of Schwarzenegger and Shriver in happier times, and Schwarzenegger described ‘the marriage with Maria’ as one of the days ‘that I remember with great fondness.’

The couple announced their split earlier this year after it emerged Schwarzenegger had fathered a love child with housekeeper, Mildred Baena, 50.

Ms Baena was believed to be a close firend of the family, whose son would play with Shriver and Schwarzenegger’s children not knowing who his real father was.

Father and son: Arnold Schwarzenegger, right, and his son Patrick Arnold look like they have buried the hatchet at the museum’s opening

Turmoil:  Revelations that Mildred Baena (left) had given birth to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s love child shocked his wife Maria Shriver

And the Terminator star only came clean about the sordid affair after Shriver told him she knew the truth about his 13-year secret.

But despite his troubled private life his fellow countrymen say they are still proud of him.

‘We Austrians are proud of him and what he accomplished,’ said Gottfried Karner, from the Upper Austrian city of Steyr. ‘But there are certain things he did that one does not agree with.’

Reconciled:  Shriver and Schwarzenegger dined together last wee at the Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica

Most Austrians have stayed focused on Schwarzenegger’s successes since he left for the United States in 1968, first as Mr. Universe, then as ‘Conan the Barbarian’ and the ‘Terminator’ – and finally his 2003 election as governor.

Even before his private life came up for criticism, however, Schwarzenegger’s cult status in Austria took some knocks because of his support of the Iraq war and the death penalty as California’s governor.

Criticism grew after he refused to pardon two convicted murderers in a row in 2005 to the point where he ordered city fathers in Graz – Austria’s second largest city where he spent his youth – to strip his name from the Graz soccer stadium and sent back the city’s highest award – its ring of honor.

Since then, the mood has swung back to adulation – and Friday’s speeches reflected that.

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, who opened the ceremonies, described Schwarzenegger as ‘one Austrian known by everyone in the world, adding: ‘We as Austrians are proud of you.’