In the late ’90s, Arnold Schwarzenegger had a tight schedule to follow. He did not just have one film after the other lined up, but also had to take care of his family. His schedule was hectic and life was busy. However, amidst all the hustle and bustle, there was one habit that he never missed. No, this time, the habit in the talk is not ‘bodybuilding.’ As David Shaw got an opportunity to join Arnie for summer dinner in 96, the latter got a glimpse of his famous ‘cigar dinner.’

Arnold never shied away from expressing his lifestyle. Hence, there was no hiding his love for cigars. Having appeared on the cover of ‘Cigar Aficionado’ three times, the Terminator star unapologetically lives a ‘cigar lifestyle.’ Though it’s not a lifestyle that one can proudly advocate for, nonetheless, Arnie shares a deep connection with them.

Arnold and his cigar connect 

Arnold never smoked a real cigar before 1977. It’s only after meeting his ex-wife Maria Shriver he got introduced to it. When doing professional bodybuilding, he said he smoked “little Virginians.” But the ‘Kennedys’ pro-celebrity tennis tournament and the after-dinner changed his life forever.

At the event, Arnold did not just meet Maria Shriver, his former wife and daughter of Sargent Shriver, the former Peace Corps director, but also got introduced to cigars. Taking a walk down the memory lane, the five-time Mr. Universe title winner revealed that Sargent Shriver lighted a cigar and offered him one at his home in Hyannisport, Massachusetts.

Read More: “Don’t Want to Stink Up My Clothes”: Maria Shriver’s Warning Left Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Unhealthy Habit Confined to the Jacuzzi in Their New Home in 1996

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With a hearty laugh, calling that to be a “big advantage in life,” Arnold added that because of that incident, his wife couldn’t complain. He always had his answer ready, “Look, honey, your father, wouldn’t have introduced me to something bad.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger talked about how he got an earful from his wife because of his habit

Maria knew his father was the first person to offer Arnold a cigar. However, she never hesitated to express her displeasure with his habit. Arnold revealed to David that the topic would “every once in a while” come up. Arnold, like the good husband, would oblige to what she said. However, whenever he was alone, he would never miss smoking one. But if a guest came over and Maria was there, then Arnold would pass.

Before filing for divorce, Maria and Arnold were married for 25 years. For the unversed, the pair married in 1986 and filed for divorce in 2011. They have four children together, two daughters and two sons. Arnold’s affair with the house help Mildred Baena was the reason behind the couple’s split.

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