Arnold Schwarzenegger now 77 walked the red carpet surrounded by most of his children. He first posed with four of his five kids: Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher. Then he took a seperate photo with his son Joseph Baena.
Joseph’s Separate Snapshot Sparks Conversation
The deliberate separation of photos drew attention online. Joseph wasn’t absent—he was simply in a solo shot with his father. Nonetheless, viewers raised questions about why the four elder siblings were grouped without him . This echoes a similar dynamic at the Season 1 premiere of FUBAR, where Joseph also posed separately.
The Backstory: Affair, Divorce and Family Divide
Arnold’s affair with Mildred Baena was revealed in 2011. That same year, Maria Shriver filed for divorce, ending 25 years of marriage. Joseph, born in 1997, kept a low profile initially. Maria’s memoir I Am Maria, released in April, revealed that she discovered the betrayal shortly after her own parents’ deaths, describing the period as “brutal.” She wrote it saw her “consumed with grief … jealousy, fear, sadness,” before ultimately reaching acceptance .
Family Tensions and Joseph’s Role
Joseph, now 27, has made strides in acting and fitness, much like his father . Still, sources say he’s not close with his older siblings. A Page Six insider shared: “The other kids don’t love Joe … it’s a shame as he’s a really good kid … but for whatever reason, the other kids take [the affair] out on Joe” . On social media, some defended Joseph. One comment read: “Sad the kids don’t include their half‑brother. Certainly not his fault,” while another lamented, “Where is his other son, Joseph Baena? His literal lookalike son from his extramarital adventure?”
Arnold and Joseph: Father and Son
Despite family tensions, Arnold and Joseph appear close. On the red carpet, the pair smiled warmly in their solo shot . Joseph has chosen to use his mother’s surname, saying in 2023 that he wants to “do things on [his] own” and maintain independence while appreciating distant support from his extended family. He’s also publicly expressed pride in working with Arnold, appearing alongside him at events and revealing that FUBAR keeps him busy and motivated .
What It Means for the Schwarzenegger Legacy
This split photograph highlights the lingering effects of Arnold’s personal scandal and the fracture it created in his family. The red carpet arrangement—four siblings together, Joseph with Pa—speaks volumes about unspoken distance and emotional complexity. However, Arnold’s commitment to Joseph seems unchanged, demonstrated by their warm one-on-one interaction. Whether this moment is one of reconciliation, or simply a careful arrangement to avoid awkwardness, it offers a glimpse into complicated familial loyalties .
Final Thoughts
The optics of the red carpet photos at FUBAR’s premiere may strike many as awkward or divisive—but they also reflect a family working out its way forward, imperfectly but together in public. Joseph’s separate appearance highlights both a sense of exclusion and inclusion, and points to ongoing emotional journeys behind the actors, cameras, and fame. Despite the separation, fans continue to hope the Schwarzenegger siblings will eventually reconcile and embrace Joseph more fully in public appearances.
