Arnold Schwarzenegger?was born in Austria to Gustav and Aurelia Schwarzenegger. The couple had two sons, and Arnie was the younger sibling. Despite being Austrian, Schwarzenegger’s father served in the German army during World War 2. A young Arnie understood what his father’s choice entailed when he learned of the horrors the Nazis inflicted. Later, Schwarzenegger distanced himself from his life in Austria and found glory in America. However, he never stopped talking about his father.

Rising above the hatred of the Nazi regime his father served under, Arnold spread awareness. He acknowledged being the son of someone who aligned himself with the Nazis but used it to eliminate hate and spread kindness. During his recent visit to Auschwitz, Arnie realized just how much impact his efforts have had when the son of a Holocaust survivor made a moving confession.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Simon Bergson stood side-by-side

Earlier, the official Instagram handle of the Arnold Institute posted an image from the 76-year-old’s visit to the former concentration camp, Auschwitz. While the Nazis had set up several concentration camps across their occupied territories, Auschwitz’s notoriety stands out. Especially because of the terrible human experiments by its resident surgeon, Josef Mengele.

The powerful photograph shows Arnold Schwarzenegger and Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation chairman Simon Bergson standing beside one another. The two men paid homage to the over one million people who perished at Auschwitz. Bergson’s emotionally moving confession was the caption of the image.

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“Arnold and I are living proof that within one generation hatred can be shifted entirely,”?the chairman had said during Arnie’s visit. Simon Bergson was born after the Second World War to Jewish parents who were relocated from Auschwitz. Bergson’s poignant message stands in stark opposition to what the Nazis preached. Arnold Schwarzenegger never supported his father’s decision to fight for the Third Reich but credits Gustav Schwarzenegger for lighting a fire inside him.

The bodybuilding icon’s father motivated him

Growing up in a household in the grasp of poverty wasn’t easy for the Austrian Oak. While Gustav Schwarzenegger was the town police chief and strict about his upbringing, he never had money. During an interview with Graham Bensinger, the seven-time Mr. Olympia said he had to contribute 100 shillings at home to get food.?“I hated that,”?he said.

Read More | ?Surrounded by Broken Men Drinking Away Their Guilt?: When Arnold Schwarzenegger Recalled His Sickening Childhood That Forced Him to Leave Austria

However, the strictness and circumstances that made life miserable also lit a fire in him. Since Schwarzenegger’s father didn’t support his?bodybuilding?career, he left Austria to fulfill his dream. While the bodybuilding legend didn’t eat what his father offered, he wanted to prove that he could achieve his dreams?despite Gustav’s disapproval.

What did you think about the powerful message of Simon Bergson? Tell us in the comments.

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