The documentary series on Netflix titled “Arnold” delves into the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger, shedding light on both his public personas and his formative years and how his upbringing shaped the man he is today.
The main theme of the series ‘Arnold’ is the impact of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s father, Gustav Schwarzenegger, and his mother, Aurelia Schwarzenegger, on his life.
It also closely explores the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of his older brother, Meinhard Schwarzenegger.
Furthermore, it also reveals the details of Meinhard Schwarzenegger’s sudden passing.
The Netflix series assists the viewers in understanding more about the significant influences on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life and career.
It explores his family’s intricate dynamics as well as the significant effects of losing his father, mother, and sibling.
The documentary allows viewers to gain insight into the man behind the iconic roles and his resilience in the face of adversity through open interviews and personal experiences.
In spite of his role in nurturing Arnold’s competitive and determined nature, Gustav Schwarzenegger had a complicated relationship with his son.
The actor has spoken openly about the physical beatings he and his brother endured at the hands of their father.
The passing of Gustav Schwarzenegger
Gustav’s affiliation with the Austrian forces and the Nazi party during World War II became known when Arnold entered politics and campaigned to be the Governor of California.
In 1972, Gustav and Aurelia visited Arnold during his participation in Mr. Olympia 1972, which was a rare occurrence.
However, Arnold noticed a change in his father’s behavior during the visit. Gustav appeared slower and occasionally slurred his words.
Gustav suffered a stroke a few weeks later, leading Arnold to rush to Austria to visit him in the hospital.
Arnold’s mother, Aurelia Schwarzenegger, grew fonder of him in her later years, especially after the deaths of her husband and Meinhard.
However, things got difficult between them in 1997 when Arnold had heart surgery but chose not to inform his mother, who was then residing with him and his family.
Arnold’s elder brother, Meinhard Schwarzenegger, had a complex relationship with his father and struggled with his artistic soul and the environment they grew up in.
While they were often pitted against each other in competitions orchestrated by their father, Arnold acknowledges that Meinhard was the favored child.
Meinhard met his demise in a car accident on May 20, 1971.
He crashed into a telephone pole while being impaired by alcohol.
Thus, Meinhard Schwarzenegger’s reason for passing away was an accident.
Despite their growing apart, Arnold was taken aback by the news.
He believes that his brother’s reliance on alcohol to cope with their shared experiences ultimately led to his demise.
Meinhard was in an engagement with Erika Knapp and had a three-year-old son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, before his death.
Arnold took on the role of a loving uncle, assuming responsibility for his nephew and providing him guidance throughout his life.
