Arnold Schwarzenegger is a proud grandfather to two granddaughters, Eloise and Lyla, through his daughter Katherine.
In a recent interview about his upcoming book *Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life*, which releases on October 10, the 76-year-old actor shared the sweet nickname his grandchildren have chosen for him. Schwarzenegger revealed that his grandkids affectionately call him “Opa,” the German word for grandfather.
When asked about his role as a grandfather, Arnold spoke fondly of the experience, saying, “It’s such a fun thing to do because I didn’t know how good I’d be at being a grandfather, but I have the animals, so it’s an easy thing.” He was referring to his pets, which he enjoys sharing with his granddaughters.
Schwarzenegger also described the bond between his granddaughter Lyla and his animals. When Katherine and her daughters arrive at Arnold’s home, Lyla’s first question is always, “Where’s Cherry?” Cherry is a small puppy, and Arnold shared, “I say, ‘Cherry is waiting for you,’ and she is. We have this little routine where we go see Opa and Cherry, and she gets to sit with Cherry on her lap.”
In addition to Cherry, Arnold has a pet pig named Schnelly, a small horse named Whiskey, and a miniature donkey named Lulu. All the animals are beloved by the grandchildren. “Then I bring the pig around, and she likes the pig, and she feeds the pig,” Arnold laughed. “We also go to the stables to see the horses. Lyla loves walking out to the fields and spending time with them.”
Schwarzenegger also shared how he enjoys baking special cookies for his animals. “Lyla would ask, ‘Can I pick up a cookie?’ These aren’t your typical cookies. They’re for the horses and dogs,” he explained. “Lulu and Whiskey love them. It’s an oatmeal cookie with honey, and no sugar. We only make them for the animals we love.”
This love of animals has always been part of Arnold’s life. Growing up on a farm in Austria, he developed a deep connection with animals, something he never expected to pass on to his grandchildren. “I never thought they would inherit my love of animals,” he said. “But now, it gives me even more joy to see them share that passion, and it’s a great excuse to have them visit more often. We have a lot of fun together, and I always make sure they get some treats!”
This strong bond between Schwarzenegger and his grandchildren, fueled by a shared love of animals, is something he cherishes deeply, and he hopes it continues for years to come.
