Arnold Schwarzenegger, known for his legendary roles in *Conan the Barbarian* and *The Terminator*, was already a millionaire before these iconic films catapulted him to stardom in the 1980s.

Despite his Hollywood success, Schwarzenegger credits his early financial independence to real estate—and one woman in particular.

During an interview last month with real estate mogul Grant Cardone, Schwarzenegger shared how advice from a real estate investor named Olga helped shape his financial journey.

“I was a millionaire before I ever did *Conan* or *Terminator*.

I became a millionaire because of real estate,” he explained at Cardone’s 10X Growth Conference in April.

Olga, a real estate agent from Lebanon, urged Schwarzenegger to invest in income properties rather than personal residences.

“She told me, ‘Arnold, listen to me, you need income property. I find you a six-unit apartment building that has an owner’s unit in front.’”

She eventually found him an apartment building for $240,000 in the 1970s. “Two years later, I got $400,000 when I sold the building. I put only $27,500 down. Imagine that profit!” Schwarzenegger recalled.

The former Mr. Universe reiterated these sentiments in Tim Ferriss’s book *Tools of Titans*, emphasizing the importance of financial independence beyond a Hollywood career.

“I saw over the years that the people I met at the gym or in acting classes were very vulnerable because they didn’t have any money and had to take anything offered to them.”

To avoid that fate, Schwarzenegger continued investing in income properties.

“Buildings that I would buy for $500,000 within a year were worth $800,000, and I put only maybe $100,000 down.

You made 300 percent on your money,” he said, adding that he traded up his properties and expanded into apartment and office buildings across Santa Monica, reaching millionaire status through his real estate ventures.

Schwarzenegger’s calculated approach to real estate allowed him to focus on choosing quality roles in Hollywood, leading to memorable performances across genres.

He smoothly transitioned from action hits like *Predator* to comedic gems like *Twins* and *Kindergarten Cop*, accumulating a career net worth of $450 million.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legacy is not just his illustrious filmography but also the savvy financial foundation he built long before he became a household name.