Who Is Rogelio Baena? The Ex-Husband Who Thought Joseph Was His Son

Imagine raising a child for years, only to find out later that he’s not yours. That’s exactly what happened to Rogelio Baena — a man who was once just a quiet husband and father, living a normal life. But his world turned upside down when a secret came out that linked his wife to one of the biggest stars in Hollywood — Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This article tells the real story of Rogelio Baena — who he is, how he got caught in a very public scandal, and what happened after he found out the truth. We’ll take you step by step through his life, his love story with Mildred Patricia Baena, and the emotional journey that followed. Let’s begin.

Rogelio Baena Quick Bio

Early Life of Rogelio Baena

Not much is known about Rogelio’s childhood or early days. He kept a low profile for most of his life, long before any drama happened. He was likely raised in a close-knit family and may have attended college, possibly studying business or something similar.

He wasn’t in the spotlight and lived a normal, quiet life — far away from the Hollywood world he would later be connected to.

What we do know is that Rogelio seemed to be a hardworking man who believed in family, trust, and love. Sadly, those same values would later be tested in a big way.

How Rogelio Baena Met Mildred Patricia

Rogelio met Mildred Patricia Baena — often called “Patty” — sometime in the mid-1980s. She was kind, hardworking, and already had children from a past marriage. The two fell in love and got married around 1987.

At the time, it seemed like a fresh start for both of them. Rogelio became a stepfather to Mildred’s kids, and together they started building a new family. They lived a simple life, far from the cameras and red carpets.

But what Rogelio didn’t know was that Mildred would one day become part of a very complicated and painful story.

Life as a Husband

Rogelio and Mildred shared over a decade of marriage. During those years, they raised kids, managed their home, and faced life’s normal ups and downs.

Mildred worked as a housekeeper — and not just for anyone. She was part of the staff at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mansion in Brentwood, California. She had worked there for over 20 years, which means she was trusted by the famous actor’s family.

Rogelio likely didn’t think much about her job at first. It was just work. And he probably never imagined it would lead to betrayal — and heartbreak.

The Secret Affair and Unexpected Baby

While Mildred worked at the Schwarzenegger home, something unexpected happened. She and Arnold started having a secret relationship, even though Arnold was married to Maria Shriver at the time.

In 1997, Mildred became pregnant. On October 2, 1997, she gave birth to a baby boy — Joseph Baena.

Rogelio, being her husband, was listed as the father on the birth certificate. Like any proud dad, he likely believed this was his son. He held the baby, raised him, and loved him. But the real truth was hidden.

Mildred never told Rogelio that the baby’s real father was Arnold Schwarzenegger — not until many years later.

Rogelio Baena Thought Joseph Was His Son

For years, Rogelio Baena truly believed Joseph was his own child. His name was on the birth certificate, and he lived with the baby as a father.

He had no reason to doubt it. He trusted Mildred, and they were a married couple. There were no public signs of cheating, no hint that something was wrong.

But as Joseph grew older, things started to change. People began to notice that he looked a lot like Arnold Schwarzenegger — the man his mother worked for.

Rogelio didn’t know that his world was about to change forever.

The Truth Comes Out

In 2011, Rogelio found out the truth — not from Mildred, not from Joseph, but from the media.

The story exploded across news outlets: Arnold Schwarzenegger had fathered a secret child with his housekeeper.

Rogelio was shocked. He said in interviews that he felt betrayed and deeply hurt. What hurt the most was that he had no idea. He had loved and cared for Joseph, only to learn later that he wasn’t the biological father.

He also said he felt disappointed in Arnold, who had once been a hero to him. Now, that image was broken.

Rogelio Baena’s Divorce From Mildred

After learning the truth about Joseph’s real father, Rogelio Baena decided it was time to let go. He and Mildred Patricia Baena had already separated quietly back in October 1997, just after Joseph was born. But the divorce wasn’t official until much later.

In 2008, Mildred finally filed for divorce. It took a few more years for it to be complete. In January 2012, the court finalized the divorce through something called a default judgment — meaning the other party (Rogelio) didn’t respond or appear in court.

In her papers, Mildred didn’t list Rogelio as Joseph’s father. By that time, everyone knew who the real father was. It was a long and painful ending to a marriage that had once started with love.

Did Rogelio Baena Try to Sue Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Yes — there was talk that Rogelio Baena might sue Arnold Schwarzenegger. Some reports in 2011 said that he was considering legal action because he believed the birth certificate was false.

Why? Because Rogelio’s name was listed as Joseph’s father, even though Mildred knew Arnold was the real dad. If that’s true, then it could be seen as faking a public document, which is a serious crime in California.

Some lawyers said this could be a big legal problem. But in the end, Rogelio didn’t file a lawsuit. Maybe he didn’t want to go through more stress. Maybe he just wanted peace. Either way, he chose to move forward quietly.

Where Is Rogelio Baena Now?

After the scandal, Rogelio Baena disappeared from the public eye. He didn’t talk to the press much. He didn’t make headlines. He just wanted a quiet life.

As of now, there are no public details about where he lives or what he does. Some believe he may have gone back to his roots, maybe even returned to Colombia, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

One thing is clear — Rogelio has chosen privacy. After everything he went through, it’s easy to understand why. He likely wanted to move away from the spotlight and just live in peace.

His Relationship With Joseph Baena Today

Even after all the pain, Rogelio Baena has spoken kindly about Joseph. In an interview, he said he was deeply hurt — but he also said something beautiful.

He said that he had raised Joseph for years and that in his heart, he would always be Joseph’s father in some way.

That shows what kind of man Rogelio really is. He didn’t blame the child. He didn’t turn bitter. Instead, he showed love, even when his own heart was broken.

As of now, there’s no public proof that Rogelio and Joseph still talk. But Joseph has spoken about his own journey — how he learned the truth at age 13, and how he still tries to build his own name in acting and bodybuilding, without using Arnold’s last name.

Final Thoughts

Rogelio Baena never asked for fame. He never wanted to be part of a Hollywood scandal. But life had other plans.

He became the center of a very personal and painful story — one that involved love, lies, and betrayal. Yet through it all, Rogelio stayed calm, respectful, and private.

His story teaches us something powerful. Even when life gives us shocking surprises, we can choose grace over anger, and dignity over revenge.

Today, Rogelio Baena remains a symbol of quiet strength — a man who faced heartbreak with honesty, and who walked away with peace.