Arnold Schwarzenegger: Heart Health, Diet & Sleep Habits

Few people have lived as many lives as Arnold Schwarzenegger—bodybuilding champion, Hollywood icon, California governor. But behind the muscles and movie quotes lies a health story that’s as disciplined as his training regimen.

Born: July 30, 1947 ·
Height: 6’2″ (1.88 m) ·
Net worth: $450 million (estimated) ·
Mr. Olympia titles: 7 ·
Governor of California: 2003–2011

Six key facts provide a clear snapshot of the man behind the legend.

What is Arnold Schwarzenegger diagnosed with?

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Heart Condition

• Schwarzenegger was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three (NAD.com).
• He underwent open-heart surgery in 2018 to replace the valve, and a second procedure in 2020 to replace a pulmonic valve (NAD.com).

His Current Health Status

• Today, he maintains an active lifestyle, working out about 90 minutes a day, according to a 2025 Business Insider feature.
• He has said he feels “great” and has returned to full fitness, though long-term monitoring is required.

The pattern: his heart history is a story of early detection and expert intervention, not a ticking clock.

How long did Arnold sleep for?

His Sleep Schedule

• Schwarzenegger has said he sleeps six to seven hours per night, typically from 11 PM to 5 AM or 6 AM (Hola USA).
• He has maintained this schedule for decades, citing productivity and discipline as the reason.

Why He Sleeps 6 Hours

• In interviews, he has said he doesn’t need more than six hours and that waking up early gives him time to work out and read before the day starts.
• Medical experts generally recommend seven to nine hours for adults, but individual variation exists (Orleans Medical).

The trade-off: Schwarzenegger’s short sleep may be a personal quirk, not a longevity model. For most people, longer sleep is linked to better heart health.

How many eggs did Arnold eat a day?

Egg Consumption in Bodybuilding

• During his peak bodybuilding years in the 1960s and 1970s, Schwarzenegger reportedly ate 10 to 15 eggs a day, often raw, paired with 250 grams of protein (Men’s Health UK).
• A 2019 Men’s Health feature showed his fridge contained a bowl of loose eggs alongside fruit and other staples (Men’s Health).

Current Diet

• Today, his diet has shifted. He now eats three to four whole eggs every morning, along with oatmeal, greens, and vegetables (NAD.com).
• He has moved away from meat, describing his diet as roughly 80% vegan (Hola USA).
• In a SiriusXM interview, he said he eats only two meals a day, skipping lunch because digestion slows later in life (YouTube).

The pattern: eggs were a cornerstone of his bodybuilding diet, but he has evolved to a plant-forward, calorie-restricted approach as he ages.

What is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life expectancy?

Factors Affecting Longevity

• No definitive life expectancy figure exists for Schwarzenegger. His successful heart surgeries and disciplined lifestyle are positive factors (Orleans Medical).
• Cardiologists note that his bicuspid valve was successfully repaired, reducing the risk of complications.

Medical Opinions

• General heart-health guidance highlights six daily habits—exercise, sleep, diet, stress management, no smoking, moderate alcohol—that can reduce heart disease risk by about 80% (Orleans Medical).
• Schwarzenegger follows most of these habits, but the data is not specific to him.

The implication: his longevity is a product of genetics plus extreme discipline, but he’s not invincible. The repaired valve gives him a fighting chance.

Who is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s partner today?

Who is Heather Milligan?

• Since 2013, Schwarzenegger’s partner is Heather Milligan, a physical therapist (Hola USA).
• She has been a consistent presence in his health journey, often accompanying him to events and workouts.

Did Maria Shriver Forgive Him?

• Schwarzenegger’s ex-wife Maria Shriver publicly stated in a 2017 interview that she has forgiven him for past infidelity (Today).
• The couple separated in 2011 after revelations of an affair and a child with their housekeeper.

The pattern: forgiveness came after years of separation, but the relationship remains amicable, focused on co-parenting and mutual respect.

Schwarzenegger’s longevity is a mix of genetics, early medical intervention, and relentless discipline. For anyone watching their own heart health, the lesson is clear: know your condition, fix what’s broken, and build habits that stick. For the Austrian Oak, the next chapter is still being written—one early morning workout, one egg, one six-hour sleep at a time.

Related reading: Elon Musk: Diagnoses, Wealth, Sleep, IQ & Trillionaire

For a deeper look into his heart condition and lifestyle choices, explore Arnold Schwarzeneggers health journey.

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