Arnold Schwarzenegger has built his life around being useful, but his relationship with physical therapist Heather Milligan was something he never planned to seek. After his high-profile split from Maria Shriver in 2011, the 78-year-old actor and former governor kept his personal life private—until a shoulder surgery changed everything.
In 2012, Schwarzenegger's surgeon recommended Milligan, a 51-year-old physical therapist known for working with elite athletes. The therapy sessions sparked a connection that has lasted over a decade. "She’s unbelievable, because we have so many things in common," Schwarzenegger told People in 2023. "Our relationship is fantastic. I think the world of her."
The couple now shares a home in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades with a menagerie of pets including dogs Dutch, Noodle, Cherry, and Schnitzel, a donkey named Lulu, and a miniature pony called Whiskey. Milligan, a former competitive gymnast and founder of Elite OrthoSport Physical Therapy & Performance, counts professional football players, boxers, and UFC fighters among her clients.
Schwarzenegger admits he enjoys watching Milligan explain football strategy. "Now I'm sitting with her and she's explaining if I have any questions," he said on the podcast New Heights in 2023. The Terminator star also likes visiting her clinic to mingle with her patients, whom he calls "great athletes."
The actor still maintains a close bond with his ex-wife, Shriver, and their four children: Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher. He also shares a son, Joseph Baena, with former housekeeper Mildred Baena. Despite the messy circumstances of their separation, Schwarzenegger and Shriver have remained amicable, celebrating holidays and birthdays together.
"Eventually, you move on," Schwarzenegger told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023. "I have a wonderful girlfriend...I’m really proud of her, and I love her. At the same time, I love my wife." He described their breakup as "very, very difficult" but emphasized the importance of family unity.
As for Milligan, Schwarzenegger says her dedication to her work and family is what won him over. "That's when you get to know a person, the heart they have," he said, noting her nightly phone calls with her grandmother. The actor, who famously values hard work, has found a partner who shares his drive. "She's clearly independent. She just is driven as hell," he added.
Reflecting on his life, Schwarzenegger told People: "Today I feel good where I am. I’m much wiser now. I’m much smarter. I think more about people. I think more about people’s feelings."