8 Famous Love Stories Between Celebrities and Politicians (3 of 5)

Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden

When people think of Jane Fonda’s relationships, her high profile marriage to media mogul Ted Turner, which lasted nearly a decade, is probably the first thing that typically comes to mind. But the Oscar-winning actress was married to political activist and California legislator Tom Hayden for nearly twice as long. They were a natural fit as their political beliefs (in particular their anti-Vietnam War stance) aligned. Their marriage lasted from 1973 to 1990, produced a son, actor Troy Garity, and even after their divorce they remained close. When Hayden died in 2016 at age 76, Fonda helped organize a memorial honoring his decades of activism and commitment to political and social causes.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver

Few celebrity-politician relationships have involved more political pedigree than Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. Schwarzenegger refined the role of action hero and eventually became governor of California. Meanwhile, Shriver was a journalist and member of the Kennedy family, giving the relationship a connection to one of America’s most famous political dynasties.

The couple married in 1986 and had four children. Their marriage ended after it was revealed in 2011 that the Terminator had been fooling around with the family’s longtime housekeeper, which resulted in a secret lovechild. Shriver filed for divorce pretty much immediately, although it wasn’t finalized until 2021.