Arnold Schwarzenegger and His Cigar – Two Strong Characters

One would typically assume that athletes—especially professional ones—lead an especially healthy lifestyle. Plenty of sleep, ample exercise, a balanced diet—and absolutely no alcohol or tobacco. Arnold Schwarzenegger, arguably the world’s most famous bodybuilder and one of the most renowned personalities of our time, has somehow done everything a bit differently than many would expect. Not only did he openly admit to using semi-(il)legal muscle-building supplements during his active bodybuilding years, but he also embraced an early love for tobacco. Schwarzenegger has never hidden his passion for cigars, often indulging during his bodybuilding days in Munich in the 1970s and regularly enjoying cigars.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: From Virginia to Hollywood

The beauty of a Virginia cigar, also known as Virginier, is its wonderfully crooked shape. And there’s the fact that it’s been crafted in Arnie’s homeland, Austria, since way back in 1844. We might say his love for cigars was almost predestined. However, it was a long journey for Schwarzenegger from Virginia cigars to Hollywood, where nearly everyone with status, fame, and a hefty bank account enjoys the fattest cigars. But one thing at a time—first, there’s the story of how Arnold transitioned from the slim Virginia cigar to arm-thick brands like Cohiba and others. In one of his countless interviews, the multiple-time Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe revealed that he owes his passion for “real” cigars to none other than the father of his then-girlfriend and future wife, Sargent Shriver. Invited to a luxury tennis tournament near New York as his girlfriend’s Austrian bodybuilder beau, Shriver offered him a cigar after dinner. Since then, Arnie has been hooked, happily indulging in a Havana now and then. Maria Shriver, however, a passionate non-smoker, could hardly appreciate her now ex-husband’s cigar passion and restricted his smoking to certain rooms in their villa.

Schwarzenegger and Cigars: A True Aficionado

A man with arms as thick as tree trunks is unlikely to let any woman deter him from his passion for cigars. He has admitted, however, to being mindful of his children and furniture at home, preferring to relax with a fine Havana in the whirlpool. Yet during his Hollywood movie star days, Schwarzenegger seemed to have a cigar in nearly every scene, making Havana an unofficial co-star of his films. In the glamour business, as we’ve mentioned earlier, big cigars have become a kind of accessory, whether for men or women, young or old—many stars enjoy being photographed with a cigar in hand or between their fingers. But there’s a clear difference between them and Schwarzenegger: he’s seen enjoying his beloved cigars in any setting, whether on set, in a restaurant, or strolling through the streets of his hometown, Los Angeles.

Occasionally, however, he seems to take his love a bit far. During his tenure as governor of California, he visited his old homeland, Austria, and reportedly raised eyebrows by ignoring some rules. In the non-smoking areas of the airports in Graz and Salzburg, he brazenly lit up cigars, facing potential fines. However, since there is no agreement between Austria and the USA to enforce fines for such infractions, Schwarzenegger apparently avoided paying the 200 euros in fines.