AceShowbiz - Arnold Schwarzenegger is widely known for his remarkable career and larger-than-life personality, yet he has chosen to keep his personal life notably private, especially following his separation from Maria Shriver.

At 78 years old, the former bodybuilder and actor has maintained a low profile when it comes to romantic relationships, but his 13-year bond with Heather Milligan, a 51-year-old physical therapist, is an exception to that discretion. Milligan first entered Schwarzenegger’s life when she helped him recover from a shoulder surgery in 2012.

In a 2023 interview with People magazine, Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed high regard for Milligan, highlighting their shared values and mutual drive. “She’s unbelievable, because we have so many things in common,” he said. He praised her independence and work ethic, calling her “driven as hell.”

Although Schwarzenegger is known for painting flowers for the women in his family, his true passion lies in hard work, which he considers his real love language. This value was instilled in him as a boy growing up in Austria, where his father emphasized the importance of being “useful.”

Schwarzenegger shared with LAist in 2023 that this lesson became a guiding principle in his life. Even when he sleeps in—sometimes past 6 a.m.—he admits to feeling guilty. “The more you work your ass off, the further you’re going to go. If you look for shortcuts, it’s not going to happen,” he stated.

After his separation from Maria Shriver in 2011, which was finalized with a divorce in 2021, Schwarzenegger wasn’t actively seeking a new relationship. However, following his shoulder surgery, his surgeon promised to introduce him to “the best physical therapist,” which led to meeting Milligan.

He recounted to People how his doctor described Milligan as the only therapist who truly understood athletes. After completing his therapy and the filming of the 2013 movie Escape Plan, Schwarzenegger invited Milligan out to lunch to thank her, which marked the beginning of their relationship.

Today, the couple shares a spacious home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. Their household includes a variety of pets: dogs named Dutch, Noodle, Cherry, and Schnitzel, as well as a donkey named Lulu and a miniature pony named Whiskey.

Schwarzenegger describes Milligan as the “driving force” in her family, noting her close relationship with her grandmother, whom she talks to nightly. “That’s when you get to know a person, the heart they have,” he said.

Milligan’s background as a former competitive gymnast has helped her connect with Schwarzenegger’s family over the years. She has enjoyed moments like Oktoberfest celebrations with his sons Patrick and Christopher during a 2022 trip to Germany and dinners in Los Angeles with his daughter Katherine and her husband Chris Pratt.

While there is no known photographic documentation of Milligan bonding with Schwarzenegger’s ex-wife Maria Shriver, Milligan understands and respects Schwarzenegger’s desire to maintain family ties with Shriver and their children.

Schwarzenegger has openly shared that he does not miss being married but acknowledged the emotional difficulty of his breakup with Shriver. He told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023 that despite the drama, they have remained close friends and co-parents, celebrating holidays and birthdays together with their children.

Milligan’s profession plays a significant role in their shared interests. Schwarzenegger told CBS News in 2023, “I think the most important thing is to keep active, and to keep the mind active. So, to me, life is about living, not existing.”

He enjoys when Milligan, founder of Elite OrthoSport Physical Therapy & Performance, shares her expertise with him. She works with numerous professional athletes, including football players, boxers, UFC fighters, and basketball players.

On the podcast New Heights in 2023, Schwarzenegger explained how Milligan’s passion for sports, especially football, has made their discussions engaging. “Now I’m sitting with her and she’s explaining if I have any questions,” he said.

He also appreciates visiting Milligan at her workplace, where he can “schmooze” with her patients, who are top-tier athletes. Schwarzenegger joked that many of them make him feel like “a little chicken,” emphasizing the high caliber of those she treats.

In a 2025 interview with GQ, Schwarzenegger admitted that while Milligan offered to conduct therapy sessions at home, he preferred visiting her therapy center. This is also why he continues to work out at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, despite having a well-equipped home gym.

Beyond physical therapy, Milligan has helped Schwarzenegger improve more than just his shoulder mobility during their 13 years together. “Today I feel good where I am,” he told People. “I’m much wiser now. I’m much smarter. I think more about people. I think more about people’s feelings.”

On the New Heights podcast, Schwarzenegger concluded by revealing that he “fell in love” with his physical therapist, underscoring the depth of their connection.

Outside of his relationship with Milligan, Schwarzenegger’s family life is full. His children with Maria Shriver—Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher—and his son Joseph Baena, with former housekeeper Mildred Baena, are all adults now.

His favorite role these days is being a grandfather to Katherine and Chris Pratt’s three children: Lyla, Eloise, and Ford. Schwarzenegger told Jimmy Kimmel in 2022 that being a grandfather is “the easiest thing.” He enjoys playing with Lyla, putting her on the horse, or letting her interact with the family dog before she leaves after a couple of hours.

Maria Shriver married Schwarzenegger in 1986 but filed for divorce in 2011 after discovering his affair that resulted in Joseph Baena’s birth. Despite their past, Shriver and Schwarzenegger have maintained a cooperative co-parenting relationship.

Chris Pratt, married to Katherine Schwarzenegger, praised Shriver’s parenting approach in a 2024 interview. He highlighted her emphasis on accountability, manners, and faith, noting these values have helped raise four well-rounded children. Pratt expressed admiration for how Shriver commands respect and maintains firm standards in the household, qualities he hopes to emulate with his own family.

Patrick Schwarzenegger, the eldest son born in 1993, has carved out his own career path. He credited Chris Pratt with helping him secure a key role in the Amazon Prime Video series The Terminal List, recalling how Pratt encouraged him to pursue the opportunity.

Overall, Schwarzenegger’s personal life has evolved significantly since his days as a young athlete in Austria. His relationship with Heather Milligan exemplifies a mature partnership built on shared values, mutual respect, and a passion for health and activity.

As he has said, life is about living fully rather than merely existing, a philosophy that continues to guide both his personal and professional endeavors.