Meinhard Schwarzenegger: Truth About Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Brother

Meinhard Schwarzenegger is the brother of The Terminator actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Meinhard’s brother is an Austrian and American actor, film producer, businessman, retired professional bodybuilder, and politician. He was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004 and 2007. Meinhard is the father of attorney, businessman, and investor Patrick Knapp.

Meinhard Schwarzenegger: Bio Summary

Early Life & Family

Meinhard Schwarzenegger was brought into the world on 17 July 1946, in Thal, Graz-Umgebung Bezirk, Styria (Steiermark), Austria. He is the son of Gustav Schwarzenegger and his wife, Aurelia (née Jadrny). His father was an Austrian police chief and postal inspector.

Gustav Schwarzenegger was also a member of the Sturmabteilung (SA), and a military police officer. Aurelia was a war widow and a homemaker. Meinhard grew up with his brother Arnold Schwarzenegger. His parents had two sons after they got married on 5 October 1945, in Mürzsteg, Steiermark, Austria.

Meinhard Schwarzenegger was his father’s favorite child. His father Gustav preferred Meinhard over Arnold. Gustav’s favoritism was “strong and blatant” and it created the suspicion that Arnold was not his biological child. Arnold said, his father had “no patience for listening or understanding your problems”.

Meinhard Schwarzenegger didn’t come from a wealthy family. Money was a problem in their household. Because his father Gustav was an athlete, he wanted his sons to become a champion in Bavarian curling. There isn’t any information about Meinhard’s education. He was reportedly a Publisher.

Also Read: Aurelia Schwarzenegger: What Happened To Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mother?

Meinhard’s Wife & Children

Meinhard Schwarzenegger was a family man and had a family of his own. He was married to Erika Knapp. There isn’t any information about how they met or when they got married. The duo kept their union away from the limelight.

However, in Munich, West Germany, on February 2, 1968, the couple welcomed a son, Patrick M. Knapp Schwarzenegger, also known as Patrick Knapp. Unfortunately, Meinhard passed away. Patrick was three years old when his father died.

Patrick was raised by his mother and grandparents in Austria and Germany. His uncle Arnold paid for his education and assisted him to move to the U.S. Erika Knapp passed away following a two-year battle with cancer. She died in the year 1999.

Patrick is a well-established attorney, businessman, and investor based in Los Angeles, California. He is married to Bliss Ellis, a publicist and former model from Texas. They are parents of four: Valentina, Franziska, Leonardo, and Mario. The family lives in Los Angeles.

What Happened To Meinhard Schwarzenegger?

Meinhard Schwarzenegger is dead. He died on 20 May 1971, in a car accident in Kitzbuehel, Austria. He was 24 years old when he died. He was driving alone drunk on a mountain road and died instantly after the accident. His mother Aurelia Schwarzenegger died on 2 August 1998.

Also Read: Patrick Schwarzenegger Siblings: How many Siblings does he have?

Aurelia Schwarzenegger suffered a heart attack while visiting her husband Gustav Schwarzenegger’s grave at Weiz Cemetery. She was 76 years old when she died and was buried next to her husband Gustav.