Arnold Schwarzenegger has mastered many roles. He was “Mr. Universe” and the “Terminator” before turning to politics. In Berlin he received an honorary doctorate.
Arnold Schwarzenegger became a global star as a bodybuilder and action actor. He was later also successful as a politician. But when the 77-year-old former governor of California came on stage in the auditorium of the private Hertie School in Berlin-Mitte on Tuesday, the topic was other things: Schwarzenegger received an honorary doctorate in the packed auditorium of the university on Berlin’s Friedrichstrasse for his commitment to fighting climate change and to civil society.
Among the guests were many students who were not yet born when Schwarzenegger became a global star with films such as “Terminator”. Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) said in his laudatory speech that Schwarzenegger more than deserved the honorary doctorate.
Habeck calls Schwarzenegger a role model
He praised the 77-year-old as a role model. On screen he may have been Conan the Barbarian, but as a citizen and politician he stands for decency and the ability to compromise. Schwarzenegger was always guided by what was right and necessary, not by ideological guidelines, such as in his commitment to renewable energy as governor of the US state of California, said Habeck.
Schwarzenegger, broad-shouldered, smiling and in a good mood, thanked everyone from Berlin for the honorary doctorate. He is now “Dr. hc. mult.” – that means he has already been awarded the honorary doctorate several times.
Schwarzenegger wants to be useful
In Berlin, however, he emphasized that apparent successes no longer have the same meaning for him as in previous decades: What makes him happiest is not having been a successful bodybuilder and Hollywood star or having earned millions, but being able to give something back to others, he emphasized.
“Be useful” is his aim, to be of use to those who need help. Robert Habeck also liked the motto: “That could be the slogan for my campaign next year,” he said, looking ahead to the federal election.
Schwarzenegger answered the guests’ questions for a long time. He explained that he was still a Republican by conviction – no matter what Donald Trump said. And that it was important to have a vision of where you wanted to go. And idols to guide you. Nelson Mandela was one of them for him. And he wanted to share another life experience: “Don’t listen to the naysayers.” If you want to achieve something, you shouldn’t let them impress you.
Schwarzenegger was never gone
Habeck said Schwarzenegger’s life story was one of those that people admire: Born in a small village in Austria, “Mr. Universe”, Hollywood star and then a successful politician who learned to distinguish between people and programs.
In his starring role as the “Terminator” (1984), Schwarzenegger coined the legendary phrase “I’ll be back.” It didn’t apply to him: he was never really gone. The Californian-by-choice just kept finding new roles.
He has long been involved in social projects, as well as in the fight against climate change, and works as an environmental activist and political advisor. At 77, his most important credo is: “I am happy that I had people who taught me to give something back to others.”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
