In a surprising departure from his typically indomitable persona, Arnold Schwarzenegger, celebrated for his towering achievements in bodybuilding, Hollywood, and even fatherhood, recently revealed a more vulnerable facet of his life and opened up about his recent heart surgery.
Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
In a recent episode of his podcast “Arnold’s Pump Club,” multi-faceted icon Arnold Schwarzenegger disclosed that he’d recently undergone heart surgery for a pacemaker, shattering the mold and proving that strength also lies in vulnerability.
Arnold Schwarzenegger onstage in the press room at the 96th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
He started the episode fittingly titled “Arnold’s Pacemaker” with the information that he had undergone surgery the previous Monday for a pacemaker. He joked that he felt he had “become a little bit more of a machine” post-surgery but assured everyone he was doing great.
Remarkably, following his surgery on Monday, he was up and attending a major environmental event with his friend and fellow fitness crusader Jane Fonda by that Friday. And due to the non-invasive nature of the procedure, no one would have thought he’d started the week with surgery.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and actress Jane Fonda at the Long Beach Concention Center on October 24, 2010 in Long Beach, California | Source: Getty Images
The “End of Days” talent thanked the medical team at Cleveland Clinic, whose expert care and minimally painful approach made his recent surgery more bearable. The doctors had advised him to undergo the procedure to correct irregular heartbeats caused by scar tissue from past surgeries.
Now, the actor faces a brief hiatus from intensive gym training but remains optimistic, planning to return to full activity in time for season two of “FUBAR” next month.
