Arnold Schwarzenegger grew up in the war-affected Thal in Austria. The little town was so far from development that even catching sight of a movie star in theaters was unheard of, let alone becoming one. But that just played another factor in making Schwarzenegger the unparalleled star that he is today. He isn’t considered strong just because of his ability to pump irons but because he had the ability to dream when most wouldn’t. This has made him one of the most successful stars of all time.

The Austrian Oak may be enjoying a hefty pension as a retired governor on top of his Hollywood earning, but he still remembers his first big check. And surprisingly, it is from one of his greatest duds at the box office.

When did Arnold Schwarzenegger get his first big paycheck in Tinseltown?

The actor, after making movies like Conan the Barbarian early in his career, became a gold mine for creators. For a long time, he starred only in movies that raked millions at the box office. However, only a small sum of these big numbers went into Schwarzenegger’s pockets, as his fee still remained in the thousands despite carrying the movies on his back. The actor recently revealed when he received his first big paycheck. And contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t in James Cameron’s The Terminator, but with Batman and Robin in 1997.

The Austrian Oak talked about how his first big paycheck could mean a lot of things, considering the numerous careers he has had. However, for Hollywood, it was when he received $30 million for Batman and Robin.

“I became the highest-paid entertainer in the history of Hollywood,” Schwarzenegger says in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

What is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s networth?

After years of tirelessly challenging himself in various fields, Arnold Schwarzenegger is estimated to have a net worth of $450 million. Most of his earnings have come from giving to the world classics such as The Terminator and Twins. However, that the actor never wasted his money played a huge part.

At the time when Schwarzenegger was taking part in bodybuilding contests, it was not an intriguing sport that many kept track of. Therefore, he had only $27,000 when he retired and came to the United States. Schwarzenegger used most of his earnings to invest in an apartment with the hopes of selling it for a higher price. And soon enough, the actor became a millionaire with real estate earnings, a path his son, Joseph Baena, is evidently taking.

Did you know that Arnold Schwarzenegger was a millionaire before becoming a Hollywood star? Let us know in the comments below.