Arnold Schwarzenegger: Man of Success

Largely known for his lucrative Hollywood roles such as The Terminator, The Predator, and many other adrenaline-inducing and testosterone-injected action thrillers, Arnold Schwarzenegger has led a charmed life of success and prosperity. Born on July 30, 1947, the Austrian-born actor has fended off the ravages of age with a healthy mix of exercise and a proper diet.

While still in Austria, Schwarzenegger earned his first body building title; he had been serving the nation's mandatory one year military service and went AWOL to participate in the event. In 1968 he arrived in America and promptly began to pursue acting. Along the way, before finding success in Hollywood, Arnold Schwarzenegger found glory in professional body-building; he would go on to earn a total of five Mr. Universe and seven Mr. Olympia wins; he would be known as the "king" of body building and the "World's Strongest Man".

In spite of the fame that body building had earned him, Schwarzenegger was determined to become an actor. In 1970 he broke onto the scene with Hercules in New York then later won a Golden Globe award as the Best New Male Star in 1976 for his part in Stay Hungry. It wouldn't be until 1982 that Schwarzenegger would experience his breakthrough film with his lead role in Conan the Barbarian. The rest of his acting career would have its share of hits and misses, but he managed to become a Hollywood legend.

A lesser-known fact of Arnold Schwarzenegger's life is that he was already a millionaire before he ever became a Hollywood action hero. Together with a friend he began a brick-laying business in 1968. Using successful marketing techniques coupled with an onset of high demand after an earthquake, the business proved successful. The profits from Schwarzenegger's brick-laying business were then invested in what would become a lucrative series of ever-growing business ventures; each supporting the next endeavor. This successful business savvy would make Schwarzenegger a millionaire by the age of 30.

A self-made millionaire, a successful business entrepreneur, Hollywood legend, the strongest man in the world; very few people can claim so many distinctions, yet Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn't finished.

In 2003 Arnold Schwarzenegger became Governor of California.

In his illustrious career, Schwarzenegger has had his share of criticism, from steroid use during his body building career to sexual misconduct. He played down the misconduct, but has aggressively defended his use of steroids which, at the time of use, was legal and believed to be a perfectly safe health supplement. His time in politics has been just as controversial as with any other politician; for instance Governor Schwarzenegger has recently proposed to raise taxes in California although he promised not to implement new taxes.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been and continues to be many things, love him or hate him; he truly is a man of success.