The honorary doctorate marks a return to the city where Schwarzenegger’s international bodybuilding journey first began.
Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Ulster University.
Schwarzenegger is being recognised for his contributions to public service, environmental advocacy and the arts, as well as his influence across sport, film and public life.
The honorary doctorate comes 60 years after the actor made his first trip to Belfast during the beginning of his bodybuilding career.
Schwarzenegger began lifting weights at the age of 15 and won the Mr Universe bodybuilding championship at the age of 20.
He won the Mr Olympia title seven times, tying with Phil Heath for the second-highest number of wins. Nicknamed the “Austrian Oak” in his bodybuilding days, he is regarded as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time.
He has written books and articles about bodybuilding, including the autobiographical Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder (1977) and The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding (1998)
The Hollywood star is best known for starring in The Terminator franchise, where his iconic line “I’ll be back” comes from.
During his first trip to Belfast Schwarzenegger was invited to deliver his first public speech on discipline and personal ambition.
Schwarzenegger has since gone on to collect several honorary degrees, with this award marking a return to the city where his international journey first began.
