With a net worth of $400 million, you’ll think that Arnold Schwarzenegger made his fortune from the entertainment industry, having starred and appeared in many shows and movies throughout his long career.

You’re not wrong to think that because if you’re one who grew up watching the installments of “The Terminator,” then you would know how massive these films were back in the days.

The actor has also dipped his toes into another arena when he transitioned into a politician, serving as the governor of California from 2003 to 2010. However, these are not related to how he got his first million and you will definitely be shocked to find out the answer.

One of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best films is the 1985 “Terminator.”

Making His First Million

Arnold is not as active on the big screen as he was before but still, there are a few projects here and there like the “Viy 2: Journey to China” and the “Terminator: Dark Fate,” which will be shown in October.

It’s not a shocker if he decides to ultimately end his acting career, although a lot of fans would be sad, because he has already made a lot that can make him retire comfortably. However, it was not always the entertainment industry that made him rich – at least for his first million, which is kind of a major thing.

The 71-year-old revealed to Tim Ferriss, “Tools of Titans” author, that he observed how people became vulnerable because they didn’t have money and so were forced to take on jobs that they either want or not – something that he doesn’t want to happen to him.

So in the 1970s, with the money he received from bodybuilding, he started with the sport at 15, to try his luck on real estate and placed a down payment for an apartment building.

Bodybuilding

The actor made his name in bodybuilding

Arnold was always linked to bodybuilding, thanks to an unmissable physique that was built from years and years of dedication. At 18, he went home as the winner of the Junior Mr. Europe Contest in 1965 and two years later, he would become the Mr. Universe.

He also won Mr. Olympia plenty of times and went on to become prominent in the sport. In fact, he is well-known in the field that an event was named after him, The Arnold Sports Festival.

Lucrative Business

It turned out that what the actor tapped, real estate, was a lucrative business, and he soon figured this out when buildings he bought for just $500,000, with a down payment of $100,000, appreciated to $800,000 within a year.

Because of this, Arnold bought more properties on Main Street in Santa Monica and traded his other buildings. Needless to say, he didn’t feel the pressure placed on desperate actors and gym enthusiasts who must grab whatever offer that comes their way simply because he had money, which translates to more freedom for his acting career.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a governor from 2003 to 2010.