
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s charity auction for climate initiatives, held on Thursday evening in the Tyrolean village of Going, has set a new record, raising an impressive €1.55 million.
Of the total raised, €300,000 will be directed towards supporting firefighters in Los Angeles, who have been battling the devastating wildfires in Schwarzenegger’s adopted home state of California.
The proceeds will benefit Schwarzenegger’s Climate Initiative, which organises the annual Austrian World Summit in Vienna and supports international environmental projects.
Earlier this week, the Hollywood star and former California governor revealed he would personally donate $1 million (€961,168) to three organisations.
Big Bids for Unique Memorabilia
Among the standout auction items was a luxury Audemars Piguet watch from Schwarzenegger’s personal collection, which fetched €170,000. An additional donation doubled the total, raising €340,000 for the Los Angeles firefighters.
A private fitness training session with Schwarzenegger proved to be another hot ticket, selling for €100,000.
Other notable items included a leather jacket worn by the 77-year-old actor, a knife from his iconic film Predator, a photograph of the Terminator taken by Christoph Palaschke, and artwork by Michel Friess.
A Festive Arrival
Schwarzenegger arrived at the Stanglwirt riding hall – described by him as his “favourite hotel” – in high spirits, smiling for photographers as he strolled down the red carpet.
Fresh from filming his festive movie The Man with the Bag in New York, where he plays a Santa Claus character, the actor sported a noticeably fuller white beard.
He attended the event without his partner, Heather Milligan, but was joined by Monika Langthaler, director of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, and Maria Hauser, junior manager of the Stanglwirt.