Arnold Schwarzenegger's Oldest Son Patrick Has Had Quite The High-Profile Love Life

Patrick Schwarzenegger was practically born into the spotlight, thanks to his ultra-famous parents. His father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, can claim fame as a former bodybuilder, big-time actor, and governor of California. His mother, Maria Shriver, works as both a journalist and a philanthropist — oh, and her late uncle was the beloved President John F. Kennedy. With such a powerful pedigree, Patrick was always bound to attract a great deal of attention, both from the public and the press. Since he became a well-known actor in his own right, that interest has only increased. His position as a "White Lotus" Season 3 cast member particularly encouraged fans to dive deep into his love life. According to the tabloids, there's a lot to uncover.

Since the early days of Patrick's short-lived dating career, rumors have tied him to famous singers and pop megastars. Some reports have alleged that he is a cheater, and others have portrayed him as an unstable partner. But while Patrick has certainly had a colorful relationship history, the actor is understood to be pretty tame IRL. In fact, he has been with the same woman, Abby Champion, since 2016.

The sad truth is that Patrick has suffered tremendously due to his famous last name. For years, tabloids have fabricated ridiculous lies about his love life. As a result, Patrick's romances — both real and invented — have hit the headlines for years, landing him in hot water.

Patrick Schwarzenegger grew up in such a high-profile family that he often seemed to have difficulty keeping his name out of the headlines — even when he had done nothing extraordinary. Back in 2012, the celebrity nepo baby was surprised to see that tabloids had linked him to pop sensation Taylor Swift. Despite the fact that Schwarzenegger and Swift weren't dating, their names appeared in some pretty salacious headlines. According to RadarOnline, Star even claimed that Swift had cheated on her then-boyfriend, Connor Kennedy, with Schwarzenegger. Given that Kennedy and Schwarzenegger are literally cousins, that particular rumor was heartbreaking for all parties involved.

In real life, it seems, Schwarzenegger and Swift had spent some time together at the Kennedy family compound at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, where the pop star was just trying to get to know her beau's family. And while her summer love story didn't work out, Swift made sure that her fans knew that the reason had nothing to do with Schwarzenegger. In an Access Hollywood interview that Digital Spy later quoted, Swift confirmed, "Patrick is just a friend." She then lamented the press' incessant interest in her love life. "I don't read any gossip about me because I don't want to be weirded out by who people think I'm dating," she quipped. Those words certainly put any question of a Schwarzenegger/Swift fling to rest. 

The Taylor Swift incident was not the only time that rumors about Patrick Schwarzenegger's love life got completely out of hand. In October 2012, just months after Schwarzenegger was linked to Taylor Swift, tabloids alleged that he was dating singer A.J. Michalka. The basis for these rumors? Schwarzenegger and Michalka both attended the same event, Matthew Morrison's third annual Halloween party. Leading up to the fancy dress bash, the duo were photographed shopping for costumes together. It was confirmed that Schwarzenegger and Michalka did not opt for matching couples Halloween costumes. He dressed as Robin Hood, while she went for The Mad Hatter.

Despite all the signs that Schwarzenegger and Michalka were not, in fact, a couple, tabloids ran wild with the story. The two friends' Halloween costumes appeared in numerous articles, and luckily, they both looked totally adorable in their garb. But just because Schwarzenegger and Michalka were spared the humiliation of making the list of the worst celebrity Halloween costumes you wish you could unsee doesn't mean no damage was done. Both parties saw lies about their relationship printed in the press — something that rarely happens to typical citizens. Many nepo babies have been open about the downsides of having famous parents. For Schwarzenegger, the constant press intrusions into his love life were certainly less glamorous than many non-famous people could ever imagine. 

Patrick Schwarzenegger may not have ever been involved with Taylor Swift or A.J. Michalka, but that doesn't mean he didn't fall for a totally different pop star. Miley Cyrus and Schwarzenegger actually had a five-month-long romance from November 2014 to April 2015. While their love story was short, it was super sweet — at first. As Patrick's famous father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, told People a decade later, "The best was that she is a wonderful, wonderful girl and human being and very, very talented ... She was just a really good, good person and fun to hang out with. I'm sorry it didn't work out." The former governor of California went on to applaud Cyrus' sense of manners. 

So, what went wrong between the "White Lotus" actor and the "Party in the U.S.A." singer? Apparently, a party in Mexico. According to E! News, things went south for the lovers after Patrick was photographed with a group of sorority women in Cabo San Lucas. A source told the outlet that Patrick was desperate for a second chance — one that Cyrus just wasn't prepared to give. "He's had some of his friends around for support, but he's very down and upset. He hasn't cracked a smile or been able to think about anything except Miley," the insider dished. Unfortunately for Patrick, the relationship was over. Or, as the source put it, "He's so embarrassed and knows he screwed up."

If Patrick Schwarzenegger's relationship with Miley Cyrus didn't survive his 2015 trip to Mexico, there may be a reason why. Photos taken of Schwarzenegger during his outing in Cabo San Lucas show him getting pretty close with at least one woman — someone that Schwarzenegger apparently knew quite well. According to one report by RadarOnline, the celebrity nepo baby was out partying with his ex-girlfriend, Taylor Burns. Schwarzenegger and Burns were first linked back in their college days, when they were studying at the University of Southern California. Photos of the pair in Cabo San Lucas show the two getting pretty close. One shot even showed Burns applying sunscreen to Schwarzenegger's back.

At the time, Schwarzenegger tried to defend his actions by posting on X (then Twitter). As per the International Business Times, Schwarzenegger wrote, "girls have guy friends and guys have friends that are girls." His sister, Katherine Schwarzenegger, reportedly retweeted the message in an effort to take sides with her sibling. Ultimately, though, Cyrus wasn't buying it, and she responded by going out in Las Vegas. One of Cyrus' friends even told E! News, "Miley is totally fine. She's definitely moving on. He was very young, and that soured the relationship." While it can take a while to get over a breakup, the press didn't wait long to make Schwarzenegger's failed romance into a headline. 

Patrick Schwarzenegger's love life may not have gotten off to an easy start, but he did find love with supermodel Abby Champion. The "White Lotus" actor first met Champion when he was in his early 20s. As he told People in a 2025 interview for the digital cover story, "So you're very different people and humans when you're that age versus now I'm 31, she's 27." Schwarzenegger felt that his relationship with Champion only grew stronger as time went on. "I think one of the best things that we've had is that we've grown a lot together and we've grown our personal relationships, but also our careers together," he added.

Because of this trajectory, Schwarzenegger and Champion decided to make a life together. In 2023, they got engaged. And due to the high-profile status of both parties, they made an announcement on Instagram. Co-posting a photo of Champion showing off a massive rock, Schwarzenegger and Champion shared their joy in the caption. "Forever and ever," they wrote in all caps.

As for planning their wedding, Schwarzenegger decided to defer all major decisions to his bride. "As I've learned, the role is just to make sure that she's happy, just whatever she wants to do," he told GQ in 2024. The television star added, "I'm just there to support her and make it so that she has the best day that she wants."

Patrick Schwarzenegger's engagement to Abby Champion should have brought the tabloid obsession with his love life to a halt. Instead, rumors ramped up, and gossip publications alleged a connection between Schwarzenegger and his controversial "White Lotus" co-star, Sydney Sweeney. RadarOnline reported that Schwarzenegger and Sweeney were spotted out together in Las Vegas before reuniting at The Met Gala. And although Schwarzenegger and Sweeney appear to be just friends, the outlet quoted one insider claiming that the latter was excited to shoot her shot.

As the previously cited source told RadarOnline, "Sydney really digs Patrick. She thinks he's handsome and intelligent. Plus, she loved him in 'White Lotus.'" So, was Sweeney just a superfan? Allegedly, things were a bit more complicated than that. "She would love to pursue something with him," an insider said, "if he wasn't engaged." While these claims may sound pretty scandalous, Sweeney never publicly confirmed her interest in Schwarzenegger. As for the actor, he did not appear to have eyes for anyone other than Champion.

Even though the co-stars seem to be just friends, tabloids have drawn attention to their joint public appearances. One piece in the Daily Mail even hinted that sparks were flying between Sweeney and Schwarzenegger ... when she was telling him that there was food stuck between his teeth. Even in these deeply unsexy moments, Schwarzenegger cannot seem to escape press attention. 

Patrick Schwarzenegger may seem utterly taken by Abby Champion, but that doesn't mean there's never been trouble in paradise. According to rumor, Champion has not always been happy with the relationship. At one point, there were even whispers of an ultimatum. In May 2025, RadarOnline reported that Champion grew sick of waiting for her wedding to Schwarzenegger to take place. "It took Patrick forever to propose to Abby in the first place," dished a source close to the couple. "They've now been engaged for a year and a half, and there are still no solid plans in place to make their dream wedding happen."

This dynamic was apparently exacerbated by the immense amount of fans gained by Schwarzenegger after his "White Lotus" debut. "He's loving the attention he's been getting from female fans a little too much for Abby's liking," the same source added in the aforementioned interview. Apparently, Champion told Schwarzenegger that she needed to see concrete wedding plans in the books — or she would leave him. "Abby has already waited so long that if Patrick doesn't get a move on, she might just decide to move on without him," the source dished. This would be bad news for Champion's in-laws-to-be, who reportedly adored her. "Patrick's parents are crazy about Abby and don't want their son to risk losing her," the insider noted. 

When it finally came time for Patrick Schwarzenegger and Abby Champion to tie the knot in September 2025, one would think that the tabloids would have given them a rest. Instead, things grew even more intense once it became clear that there was major family drama plaguing their nuptials — and it involved Schwarzenegger's Kennedy cousins. Apparently, not all of the Kennedys were welcome at the romantic Idaho ceremony. As Rob Shuter's #ShuterScoop Substack reported, Jack Schlossberg was not even invited to the event. A guest told the gossip guru, "This wasn't about space ... The ceremony had family everywhere — Arnold, Maria, Katherine, Chris Pratt — but no Jack." The explanation for his absence? " The guest list was curated, and he was left out."

Apparently, Schlossberg's absence raised eyebrows among other attendees, who seemed aware of the tensions between the groom and his absent relative. As a separate insider told Shuter for the same #ShuterScoop report, "One guest said, 'Isn't Jack a cousin? Why isn't he here?' It felt deliberate, not accidental." Given that Schlossberg and Schwarzenegger had previously feuded on social media, that conclusion does not seem misplaced. Earlier that year, Schlossberg had denounced Schwarzenegger for advertising his Kennedy family ties without condemning U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stance on vaccination, according to Just Jared. It seems that no element of Schwarzenegger's family or romantic life has remained untouched by the tabloids — or unseen by the public eye. 

On September 6, 2025, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Abby Champion said their vows at a romantic ceremony in Idaho. Given the couple's family connections — and the fact that Patrick's father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, lives a lavish life — it was no surprise that they threw a massive party. The ceremony was held at the gorgeous Gozzer Ranch Golf & Lake Club, where guests enjoyed spectacular views of the nearby Lake Coeur d'Alene. Champion wore a stunning Zimmermann gown designed by Danielle Frankel. Speaking to Vogue about her experience collaborating with the designer, Champion gushed, "Since fitting and fashion are part of my profession, I knew I wanted to work with someone I felt completely comfortable with." Frankel, she said, fit the bill.

Of course, given Schwarzenegger and Champion's shared fame, all the most interesting details about their wedding hit the press. In the aforementioned Vogue interview, Champion noted that they had thrown a three-day-long bash. One of the highlights? "Western night was a whole different vibe, and honestly, one of the most fun looks of the weekend," the Victoria's Secret model shared. As for the flowers, Champion forwent the most fragrant bouquet options. "I was a little terrified of bees, so I wanted to avoid anything too elaborate," she confessed. White roses and hydrangeas set the tone without attracting any extra insects. And ultimately, the event went down without a hitch.

In 2026, all the negative headlines about Patrick Schwarzenegger's love life finally melted away, and the "White Lotus" star celebrated one year of marriage with Abby Champion. The couple seemed to be doing well around the time of their anniversary, with Schwarzenegger telling People that his new wife had helped him with his professional pursuits. "She's supportive with everything I do and she understands work and she's always wanting the best for me and my career," he revealed.

Of course, like anyone, Champion prefers some movie genres over others, and some of Schwarzenegger's past works simply weren't up her alley. That said, Schwarzenegger told People that Champion was really excited about some of his future projects. "My wife is a consumer of these types of movies, and we shot 'Beach Read' here in Toronto, that's coming out next year, which is also kind of a romantic love story," he proudly shared.

The supportive romantic dynamic apparently flows both ways, and Schwarzenegger was spotted wildly cheering Champion on as she walked in her first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Given the strict rules Victoria's Secret models have to follow, this applause was well deserved. While these reports of a loving connection may be good news for the couple, they signal bad news for their privacy. Even when all is well, Schwarzenegger and Champion's romance cannot seem to escape the spotlight.