Arnold Schwarzenegger, for being one of the most recognizable names, is also a lot more private than you'd expect when it comes to a particular aspect of his private life.
The actor and fitness icon, who celebrates his 78th birthday today, was once famously married to Maria Shriver for 25 years, before a public separation and divorce stemming from an infamous affair with Mildred Baena.
The pair have remained friends and amicable co-parents since then, and for over a decade, Arnold has quietly been dating Heather Milligan, keeping their romance out of the spotlight more so than other parts of his life like his famous kids and career.
© Getty ImagesRead on to learn more about Heather, how their romance began, and what it's like now…
Who is Heather Milligan?
Heather, 50, is a noted physical therapist. She is the founder and owner of Elite OrthoSport Physical Therapy & Performance, one of the largest physical therapy clinics in the West side of Los Angeles.
Her bio on their website lists that she has a MBA from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and has 20 years of experience as a physical therapist, plus 20 years as a competitive gymnast, having primarily worked with athletes.
© Getty ImagesIt adds: "She has used both her clinical and business experience to establish a team of physical therapists at Elite OrthoSport that share her values and approach to provide the highest level of care and individual attention to each patient."
How did Heather and Arnold meet?
Heather met the Terminator star in 2012, not long after separating from Maria, when he was recovering from a shoulder surgery before starring with Sylvester Stallone in the heist thriller Escape Plan the following year.
© Getty ImagesHis surgeon recommended he see Heather, with Arnold recalling hearing: "There's only one [person], it's Heather – any athlete, I always send them to her, because she's the only one that really knows what they're talking about," per a conversation with People.
"So I went to her, and then after my therapy was finished, after I was finished with the movie, I called her back and took her out for lunch to say thank you," cheekily adding right after: "And then one thing led to the next." The pair have been dating since then.
© Getty ImagesTheir private romance
Despite not documenting their romance extensively on social media, it looks like the couple are still going strong, last appearing together in June at the premiere of FUBAR's second season in Los Angeles. She is also reportedly close with his five kids as well.
During an appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast New Heights last year, Arnold couldn't help but gush: "Ten years ago, I fell in love with Heather, my girlfriend, who is a physical therapist, who treats a lot of football players and boxers and UFC fighters and basketball players, and she's really a fanatic about sports, especially about football," explaining that she was sitting beside him to answer any questions about the sport ahead of his conversation with the brothers.
© Getty ImagesSpeaking with People in 2023, he adorably added: "We have so many things in common. I think the world of her. I love that she’s into working. She’s clearly independent. She just is driven as hell."
