Net Worth Ranker
What Is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Net Worth?
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-American bodybuilder, model, actor, businessman, and politician, has amassed a substantial net worth estimated at $750 million. This impressive figure is a result of diverse income streams, including film salaries, real estate investments, and strategic business ventures.
Sources of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Net Worth
Schwarzenegger’s financial success can be attributed to several key areas:
Film Salaries: Over his acting career, Arnold has earned hundreds of millions of dollars from film salaries. At the peak of his career, Arnold Schwarzenegger consistently commanded $20-30 million per movie. He earned $75,000 for his role in “The Terminator” (1984), which grossed $80 million worldwide. His salary jumped to $2 million for “Commando,” $3.5 million for “Predator,” and $11 million for “Total Recall.” For “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” he received $12 million for just 700 words of dialogue, which equates to approximately $21,429 per word. He then earned $15 million for roles in “True Lies,” “Junior,” and “Last Action Hero,” followed by $20 million for “Eraser” and “Jingle All The Way.” His paychecks further increased to $25 million for “Batman & Robin,” “The 6th Day,” and “Collateral Damage.” A significant portion of his movie income is managed through his company, Oak Productions Inc., based in Santa Monica, California, located in a building he owns at 3110 Main Street.
“Twins” Salary Structure: One of Arnold’s largest paychecks came from the 1988 movie “Twins” where he, Danny Devito, and director Ivan Reitman agreed to take zero upfront salary. Instead, they secured 40% ownership of the film’s profits (13.33% each). This decision led to an estimated earning of $35-40 million for Arnold, and accounting for inflation, this is equivalent to earning $70-$80 million.
Terminator 3 Salary Details:Arnold was able to negotiate a $29.25 million upfront salary for “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” (2003). He was also guaranteed 20% of the gross profits over $380 million. This means he received an estimated total of $35 million from this movie. His contract was also “pay or play,” meaning he would still be paid regardless of whether the movie was made, and it also provided $1.6 million for every day that the shoot exceeded the 19-week schedule. Furthermore, he received a $1.5 million budget for private jet flights, a trailer modified into a gym, and three hotel suites, in addition to bodyguards and 24/7 drivers.
Real Estate Investments: Since arriving in the United States in 1968 with $27,000 (equivalent to $182,000 today after adjusting for inflation), Schwarzenegger has invested heavily in real estate. Early investments included buying land in Palmdale, California, and later an apartment building for $214,000, which he sold a year later for $360,000. He subsequently traded up to larger properties, including a 12-unit building, followed by a 36-unit building, and then a 100-unit building. By age 25, he was a real estate millionaire. His current commercial and personal real estate holdings are estimated to be worth between $100 million and $200 million. His personal real estate includes a 6-acre property in Brentwood, Los Angeles, purchased in 2002 for $4.8 million, now valued at $20-30 million. The 14,500-square-foot mansion is located in a gated community. He also co-owns vacation properties in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Dimensional Fund Advisors Stake: In 1996, Schwarzenegger acquired a 5% stake in Dimensional Fund Advisors for an undisclosed amount. At the time, the firm managed $12 billion in assets. As of today, the firm manages close to $700 billion in assets. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pre-tax stake is estimated to be worth between $300 million and $500 million.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Career Milestones and Financial Disclosures
Early Career: Born on July 30, 1947, in Thal, Austria, Arnold’s journey began with bodybuilding, where he won the Junior Mr. Europe Contest in 1965. At age 20, in 1967, he became the youngest person to win the Mr. Universe title and later won it three more times. In 1970, he earned his first “Mr. Olympia” title. His early successes include moving to America at the age of 21 with $27,000 to his name, which he saved up from competition winnings.
Acting Career: Schwarzenegger’s acting career started with “Hercules in New York,” and his fame grew with the documentary “Pumping Iron” (1977). His big break came with “Conan the Barbarian” (1982) and later “The Terminator” (1984), which earned him $75,000. He then continued to appear in movies such as “The Running Man,” “Red Heat,” “The Predator,” and “Twins.”
Political Career: Schwarzenegger served as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011. While in office, he declined the annual salary of $175,000. It is estimated that he left $200 million worth of acting wages on the table while serving as Governor. In August 2003, Arnold disclosed a financial report that pegged his net worth at $200 million. The disclosure showed he earned $14 million in 2003 and $24 million in 2002. In the prior three years, he paid $11 million in federal taxes and $4 million in state taxes. An April 2006 disclosure showed that Arnold earned $17 million in 2004.
Personal Life: Arnold Schwarzenegger was married to Maria Shriver from 1986 to 2017. Their divorce cost him $200 million. Arnold kept their Brentwood family home.
