Patrick Schwarzenegger changed his last name to Shriver following the public revelation that his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, had fathered a child with a household employee in 2003. This news directly prompted the separation of his parents, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver.
The Context of the Name Change
The decision to change his name came at a significant turning point for his family. Here's a breakdown of the events:
- Marital Revelation: In May 2011, news broke that former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had fathered a child years earlier with a woman who had worked as a household employee for his family. This revelation immediately led to the breakup of his marriage with Maria Shriver.
- Patrick's Announcement: In the immediate aftermath of this very public family crisis, Patrick, who was 17 years old at the time, announced his decision to change his last name to Shriver. This move was widely interpreted as a show of solidarity with his mother, Maria Shriver, and a way to distance himself from the scandal involving his father.
By adopting his mother's maiden name, Patrick effectively distanced himself publicly from the surname associated with the scandal and reaffirmed his connection to the Shriver side of his family during a challenging period.
