The original starting price of the watch, which was privately owned by Schwarzenegger, was 50,000 euros. The “Styrian Oak” had previously bathed in the flashbulb on the red carpet with her friend Heather Milligan with a victorious smile – and thus opened the Hahnenkamm Society Festival. One reason for the good mood: the luxury watch from the Audemars Piguet brand that “Arnie” “saved” following Going in order to have it auctioned there. With success, as it turned out. All exhibits added together brought in 1.31 million euros.
Image: (APA/EXPA/JOHANN GRODER)
Schwarzenegger was stopped for three hours on Wednesday by customs officials at Munich airport under apparently – according to his description – strange circumstances. A story that made waves in the New York Times, CNN and various other American media outlets.
“In handcuffs because of love night”
Meanwhile, in a speech at dinner, “Arnie” joked regarding the incident in his usual manner: “I was in handcuffs, but because I had a hot night with my friend Heather.”
And not because of the incident at Munich Airport, as the “Terminator” stated in one of his “introduction speeches” that are notorious at such events, in which jokes are often made. The corresponding video might be seen on the celebrity portal TMZ.
But – according to Schwarzenegger – an official at Munich customs actually wanted to handcuff him because of the watch. He replied: “I normally pay $500,000 for something like that.” In any case, it was a “wild experience,” reported the 76-year-old, who gave the speech at the Stanglwirt in English. The officers also looked for a second watch but mightn’t find it. “And I can tell you why: I can’t sit down today,” the Hollywood star alluded to a special, intimate “hiding spot.”
After paying a hefty fine (rumored to be 35,000 euros, which was probably easy for him to bear) and with criminal tax proceedings in his luggage, he finally arrived at his regular and favorite hotel, Stanglwirt, on Wednesday. To take action one day later – his charity, which traditionally marks the start of the party weekend for stars and starlets on Thursday evening. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the “Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative”, which organizes the “Austria World Summit” in Vienna every May and supports various global climate projects.
Picture gallery: Kitzbühel: Where Schwarzenegger, Neureuther & Co. celebrate
Arnold Schwarzenegger and his girlfriend Heather Milligan (Photo: EXPA/JOHANN GRODER (APA)) Bild 1/19
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“Conan” sword under the hammer
In addition to the Swiss luxury watch, which was designed exclusively for Schwarzenegger and is limited to 20 pieces worldwide, there was also a picture of Schwarzenegger penned by Christoph Paschke for this good cause. There was also a painting by ski legend Franz Klemm, fine whiskey, a living room concert by TheBossHoss, a “Governor Humidor”, the sculpture “The Big Kiss” by Niclas Castello, the sword from “Conan the Barbarian” and a workout To auction off a unit with the Hollywood star himself.
The numerous reporters and photographers who showed up waited in vain for a word donation from the “Styrian Oak”. Instead, “Arnie” and his girlfriend quickly headed towards the riding arena – and thus towards dinner and the auction.
Numerous celebrities
When Schwarzenegger calls and such exhibits are up for auction, then of course enough other celebrities also step up and follow the call. On the red carpet this time, before the bidding began, there would have been: “Arnie” specialist Ralf Moeller, actor Mark Keller, ex-model Barbara Meier with investor husband Klemens Hallmann, actress Nina Proll with fashion expert Adi Weiss or the front men the band “TheBossHoss”. The “magicians” Thommy Ten and Amélie van Tass as well as former ski great Felix Neureuther also had their show run rendezvous.
Political figures at the Tyrol reception
At the same time, the country celebrated its traditional “Tyrol Reception” in Kitzbühel in the “Golden Gams” – also in a celebratory and showy mood. After the “national reception” in front of the hotel, in which there was no shortage of shooting and music, state governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP), deputy state governor and sports officer Georg Dornauer (SPÖ), ÖSV president Roswitha Stadlober and Michael Huber, president of Kitzbühel Ski -Clubs, most officially the opening of the 84th Hahnenkamm Race. Present at this ceremony, for example: members of the Tyrolean state government, State Secretary for Digitization and Innsbruck mayoral candidate Florian Tursky (ÖVP), State Parliament President Sonja Ledl-Rossmann (ÖVP), a skier from the past, Ernst Hinterseer and Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP).
Image: (APA/BARBARA GINDL)
State Governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) finally gave a short motivational speech: “95 percent is simply not enough for the Streif.” There it is important to “give 100 percent,” otherwise “it will throw you off,” he emphasized. Mattle also spoke regarding the nature of Hahnenkamm Week: “It should be a big folk festival, but it is also important to remain moderate.” The latter is particularly important because Kitzbühel is “the skiing hotspot in the world” this week. In any case, the Streif and its folk festival character must be preserved: “The Streif serves sport and the economy at the same time,” said the state governor.”
Police operation because of Matthias Mayer
Shortly before, the state of Lower Austria celebrated its “Lower Austria Reception” in the “Kitzhof” – for the first time following the corona pandemic. In the presence of State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP), Mattle, Armin Assinger and ex-goalie Michael Konsel and musically accompanied by Nik P, a “comfortable get-together” with top wines from similar winemakers was on the agenda. Unfortunately, the reception, which had the motto “Unplugged,” was not peaceful. Former ski star Matthias Mayer, apparently drunk, disrupted the event and caused a police operation.
