Arnold Schwarzenegger, renowned action hero and former governor of California, opens up about the harrowing experience of his third open-heart surgery, which he describes as "a disaster."
Born with a congenital heart defect, the 76-year-old underwent valve replacement surgery before filming Terminator: Dark Fate in 2019. In a recent YouTube video, Schwarzenegger revealed that complications arose during the procedure, leading to unexpected internal bleeding. Doctors urgently had to intervene, informing him that they had accidentally pierced the heart wall.
Recalling the frightening moment, Schwarzenegger expressed, "I woke up, and all of a sudden, the doctors were in front of me saying, 'I'm so sorry, but it was unlike what we planned.'" Despite the unexpected turn, he emphasized the need to adapt, shift gears, and focus on recovery. "The bottom line is, you cannot roll the clock back. I was in the middle of a disaster. So now, how do I get out of it? You have to shift gears. Collect yourself, shift gears, and say, 'Okay, what I need to do now is get out of this hospital.'"
The video documents Schwarzenegger's journey to recovery, showcasing his determination through small steps in the hospital corridors. He humorously acknowledged looking like an "idiot waddling around," but the focus was on exercising his lungs to prevent complications like pneumonia.
Driven by the commitment to film Terminator: Dark Fate, Schwarzenegger emphasized the importance of a positive attitude and a strong support system. "When I started shooting Terminator 6, I was all back together again."
Earlier this year, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Schwarzenegger expressed his zest for life and his intention to live forever. Despite the challenges, he continues to work out daily, ride his bike, and pursue his passion for movies. "There's no retiring. I'm still on this side of the grass, so I'm happy. My plan is to live forever — and so far, so good!"
