Arnold Schwarzenegger Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s net worth?

With a net worth of $750 million, Arnold Schwarzenegger stands out as an Austrian-American bodybuilder, model, actor, businessman, and politician. Recognized globally, he has, at various points, held the title of the highest-paid individual in the entertainment industry. At the height of his career, his earnings from films reached $20-30 million for each movie. Throughout his professional journey, he has amassed hundreds of millions in film salaries.

In addition to his film earnings, Arnold has successfully developed a real estate portfolio and notably owns a 5% share in an investment firm called Dimensional Fund Advisors. Beginning in the 1970s upon his arrival in the US, he invested his earnings into real estate, becoming a millionaire by the age of 25 due to these ventures. His real estate holdings, both commercial and personal, are estimated to be worth between $100-200 million. In 1996, he acquired a 5% stake in Dimensional Fund Advisors, then managing $12 billion in assets, for an undisclosed amount. As per his financial disclosure in 2003 while campaigning for Governor of California, by that time, the firm had expanded to manage $300 billion in assets. Currently, the firm is thought to manage just under $700 billion. At this valuation, Arnold’s pre-tax stake could be valued at anywhere from $300 to $500 million.

Arnold Schwarzenegger exemplifies remarkable achievement fueled by relentless ambition. After establishing himself as an Austrian bodybuilding champion in the early ’60s and winning the “Mr. Universe” title in both 1967 and 1968, he ventured to the US, aiming to become an actor, with minimal English proficiency. Over the next nine years, he honed his English skills, earned a Bachelor’s degree, authored a bestselling book, and claimed nearly every major bodybuilding title. He began acting in the early ’70s, securing a Golden Globe for his second film. However, it wasn’t until “Conan the Barbarian” in 1982 that audiences truly recognized his talent. This success propelled him to the “Terminator” franchise, paving the way for a thriving action star career and a politically astute marriage to Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy. Notably, Arnold also served a full eight-year term as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, during which he willingly sacrificed approximately $200 million in potential film earnings.

2003 Financial Disclosure

As mentioned earlier, in August 2003, Arnold provided a comprehensive financial report as part of his gubernatorial campaign that outlined his business holdings and net worth at that time. According to these disclosures, Arnold’s net worth was estimated at $200 million in 2003. The report indicated that he earned $14 million in 2003, and $24 million in 2002, with $11 million in federal taxes and $4 million in state taxes paid over the previous three years. All movie income is processed through an LLC named Oak Productions Inc., situated in Santa Monica, California. Oak Productions operates from a building located at 3110 Main Street, a commercial property housing about a dozen tenants in a prime area, which Arnold fully owns. An April 2006 report revealed that he earned $17 million in 2004, although he had not yet submitted his 2005 tax returns at that time.

Early Life

Born on July 30, 1947, in the small village of Thal, Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s early life was shaped by his father, Gustav, who served as the local police chief, while his mother was dedicated to homemaking. In 1960, his football (soccer) coach introduced him to the local gym, prompting a transformative journey in Arnold’s life.

The world of bodybuilding opened up for the 13-year-old. Initially, his father envisioned Arnold as a police officer, while his mother wished for him to enroll in a trade school. However, Arnold felt a strong calling to something entirely different beyond their quaint Austrian village. Upon realizing that recent Mr. Universe champions transitioned into successful Hollywood acting careers, he immediately set his ambition on becoming the world’s most renowned professional bodybuilder.

In 1965, Arnold clinched the Junior Mr. Europe Contest title. By 1967, at just 20 years old, he made history as the youngest winner of the Mr. Universe title, a feat he would accomplish three additional times. Despite his remarkable accomplishments in bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger still dedicated time to pursue his education at business school.

Real Estate Investments

With $27,000 in savings accumulated from competitions, Schwarzenegger relocated to America in September 1968 at the age of 21. In today’s terms, that amount is equivalent to approximately $182,000 when accounting for inflation, making it a considerable sum. Shortly after his arrival in Hollywood, Arnold started making minor real estate investments. He purchased a small plot in Palmdale, California, speculated to become the site of a new supersonic airport. Although this first venture did not succeed, Arnold remained resolute. He utilized his remaining capital and borrowed $10,000 from his trainer at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California, to acquire an apartment building priced at $214,000. After one year, he sold this building for $360,000. He then escalated his investments to a 12-unit building, followed by a 36-unit building, and eventually a 100-unit building. Each time he sold a property, he reinvested the profits into the next opportunity to optimize his tax liability and enhance his potential return. By the age of 25, Arnold had established himself as a millionaire in real estate, long before gaining fame as an actor.

Currently, Arnold possesses an extensive portfolio of commercial properties, primarily situated in Southern California, with an estimated value exceeding $100 million, not including his personal residences.

Dimensional Fund Advisors

Arnold acquired a 5% interest in the investment firm Dimensional Fund Advisors in 1996 for an undisclosed amount. At that time, the firm was managing around $12 billion in assets, which has now soared to nearly $700 billion. His stake is estimated to be worth between $300-500 million before taxes.

Film Success

In 1970, he secured his inaugural “Mr. Olympia” title, which he would go on to win repeatedly throughout his career. His breakthrough in the film industry came after winning Mr. Olympia when he was cast in the feature film “Hercules in New York.” The release of the bodybuilding documentary “Pumping Iron” in 1977 further amplified Arnold’s fame.

His career momentum continued with films such as “Conan the Barbarian,” yet it truly skyrocketed when he starred in the 1984 hit “The Terminator,” for which he earned $75,000. The film grossed $80 million globally. Following this success, Arnold’s career shot to remarkable heights with subsequent hits like “The Running Man,” “Red Heat,” and “The Predator.” He even explored comedy in the 1988 film “Twins,” directed by Ivan Reitman and co-starring Danny DeVito.

Returning to the role of the Terminator in the 1990s, Arnold collaborated with his friend and director, James Cameron, achieving even greater success with “True Lies.” He wrapped up the decade with notable films like “Last Action Hero,” “Eraser” in 1996, and “Batman and Robin.”

Largest Paycheck

To this day, Arnold has accumulated a minimum of $400 million solely from film salaries, excluding taxes. Surprisingly, his biggest single paycheck originated from a film that may not come to mind. It wasn’t one of his action-packed blockbusters, but rather, the 1988 film “Twins.”

For the film “Twins,” Arnold, Danny Devito, and director Ivan Reitman chose to forgo salaries from the studio in return for a 40% ownership of the film (13.33% each). The film was incredibly successful, grossing over $215 million worldwide just at the box office. It also performed well on VHS and cable. In a March 2014 interview, Arnold asserted that he earned more from “Twins” than from any of his films throughout his entire career. Presumably, this holds true for both Reitman and Devito as well. Assuming that Arnold, Danny, and Ivan made approximately $35-40 million from the film in 1988, after adjusting for inflation, this would equate to earning $70-$80 million today. The trio later reunited in the film “Junior.”

Other Notable Salaries

As previously mentioned, Arnold received $75,000 for his role in “The Terminator.” His earnings included $2 million for “Commando,” $3.5 million for “Predator,” $11 million for “Total Recall,” and $12 million each for “Kindergarten Cop” and “Terminator 2.” In “Terminator 2,” Arnold had merely 700 words of dialogue, translating to $21,429 for every spoken word.

For “True Lies,” “Junior,” and “Last Action Hero,” he earned $15 million each, followed by $20 million for “Eraser” and “Jingle All The Way.” Arnold’s paychecks exceeded $25 million for “Batman & Robin,” “The 6th Day,” and “Collateral Damage.”

Terminator 3 Salary

After receiving James Cameron’s approval to star in a Terminator project without the franchise’s creator, Arnold set out to negotiate his deal for what would become the 2003 film “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” Ultimately, Arnold secured an upfront salary of $29.25 million along with a 20% royalty on gross profits exceeding $380 million for “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” The film grossed $433 million globally, raising Arnold’s total earnings to an estimated $35 million. His salary was “pay or play,” meaning he would receive his payment regardless of whether the film was produced. In addition, his contract provided him with $1.6 million for every day of filming that exceeded the 19-week schedule. Furthermore, during production, Arnold had a budget of $1.5 million for private jet travel, a trailer converted into a gym, three hotel suites, bodyguards, and round-the-clock drivers.

Governor of California

A longtime member of the Republican Party, Schwarzenegger delivered a speech at the 2004 National Republican Convention explaining his reasons for becoming a Republican. In a stunning announcement on “The Tonight Show” in 2003, he revealed his candidacy for Governor of California, shocking the nation. Serving as Governor from 2003 to 2011, Arnold later claimed that his eight years in office cost him $200 million in potential movie earnings. Although entitled to a $175,000 annual salary as Governor, he chose to forgo this compensation.

Personal Life

From 1986 until 2017, Arnold was wed to Maria Shriver, a television news personality and the niece of President John F. Kennedy. They share four children, including Katherine Schwarzenegger, who is married to actor Chris Pratt, and the model/actor Patrick Schwarzenegger.

The couple’s marriage ended in 2011 when it was revealed that Arnold had fathered a son with the family housekeeper 14 years prior. Their divorce proceedings spanned six years and were reported to cost Arnold $200 million. He retained their long-time family residence in Brentwood, while Maria utilized his funds to purchase a new home nearby.

Personal Real Estate

With personal real estate assets valued between $50 million and $60 million, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria bought a 6-acre property in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood for $4.8 million in 2002. Following their separation, Arnold kept this residence, which is situated in a gated community also home to Dr. Dre. This 14,500-square-foot mansion features ocean views, a tennis court, a pool, and ample privacy, currently valued at $20-30 million.

Additionally, Arnold and Maria jointly own family vacation properties in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.