Arnold Schwarzenegger has lived three lives. The seven-time Mr. Olympia found fame through bodybuilding. However, he moved on, looking for a new challenge, and conquered Hollywood. Finally, Schwarzenegger stepped into politics, becoming the Governor of California. Recently the bodybuilding icon released a book that chronicles his extraordinary journey through still from renowned artists and photographers. Publisher Taschen took a decade to create the limited edition book.

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Arnie discussed his new book, Arnold. The interviewer asked the 76-year-old about his experience recounting his life “felt therapeutic.” However, the former Mr. Olympia said it was “torturous” and only cheered up when he recalled visiting ‘Soup Can’ painter Andy Warhol’s studio.

When Arnold Schwarzenegger posed for artists

During the interview, the bodybuilding icon recalled visiting Andy Warhol’s art studio. Schwarzenegger recalled visiting Warhol’s studio in 1977. The pop artist made polaroids of the former Mr. Olympia, which features in the new book. “I was at the factory,” the 76-year-old recalled with a glimmer in his eyes. He also recalled becoming the subject of artist Jamie Wyeth’s painting.

“I was painted by Jamie Wyeth. He painted [ballet star Rudolf] Nureyev in the morning and he painted me in the afternoon. It went on for two weeks,” Arnie told the reporter. Schwarzenegger appreciates art and artists because he sees bodybuilding as art. On many occasions, the former Mr. Olympia said that bodybuilders are sculptors who sculpt their bodies.

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Warhol rose to fame with soup can paintings. The artist painted 32 Campbell’s soup cans, each one with a different flavor. However, Warhol fascinated the five-time Mr. Universe with his polaroids and silkscreen paintings, and Schwarzenegger commissioned him to make a special one.

The bodybuilding icon asked Andy Warhol to make a wedding gift

In 1962, Andy Warhol created a silkscreen painting of Marilyn Monroe. The following year, he made one of Elvis Presley’s. Schwarzenegger was so impressed with the unique technique behind the paintings he commissioned the artist to make a silkscreen painting of his then-fiance, Maria Shriver. The former Mr. Olympia said Warhol would first take a Polaroid and then enlarge it to use for the silkscreen.

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After some convincing, Warhol agreed to make a massive silkscreen painting of Shriver. Schwarzenegger remembered how stunning the painting looked. In his 2012 autobiography, Arnie wrote, “He created a dramatic forty-two-inch square painting that captured her wild beauty and intensity.”

Schwarzenegger appreciated Warhol’s art and still remembers his session with the artist. The pair became great friends, and Warhol also attended Arnie’s wedding.