Patrick Schwarzenegger, the White Lotus actor, is head over heels for his fiancée, Abby Champion. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Schwarzenegger opened up about their decade-long relationship, sharing how he knew Champion was “the one” and reflecting on their journey together.
From Attraction to Forever Love
Schwarzenegger, 31, and Champion, 27, first met when he was 21 and she was 18. While their initial connection was rooted in physical attraction, their bond deepened over time. “When we first met, there was obviously an attraction—physical attraction—and I thought she was the most beautiful girl that I had seen and had met,” Schwarzenegger recalls. “I was interested in hanging out and going out on dates.”
But it wasn’t just her looks that captivated him. Over the years, Schwarzenegger found himself falling more in love with the person Champion was becoming. “Over the course of the years, I just continuously fell in love with her more and more, with the kind of human that she was becoming and that the relationship was becoming,” he says.
Growing Together Through Life’s Challenges
One of the key factors that solidified their relationship was their ability to grow together. Schwarzenegger emphasizes how they’ve supported each other through personal and professional milestones. “I think one of the best things that we’ve had is that we’ve grown a lot together,” he explains. “We’ve grown our personal relationships, but also our careers together. It’s been kind of fun to climb that journey as one.”
Champion, a successful model, moved to Los Angeles on her own to pursue her dreams. Schwarzenegger couldn’t be prouder of her achievements. “To see her when I walk down the street on every billboard of Chanel or Celine or Victoria’s Secret, whatever it is, it’s just such a great thing to watch how much she’s grown,” he says. “She’s so determined and hardworking, and she has such a vision for her life.”
Shared Values and Future Plans
For Schwarzenegger, Champion’s values and dedication to family were clear indicators that she was “the one.” “How much she values family and how similar our core values are made me realize that she was the one,” he shares.
The couple, who got engaged in December 2023, is planning a 2025 wedding after delaying their plans due to Schwarzenegger’s filming schedule. When it comes to wedding planning, Schwarzenegger is happy to let Champion take the lead. “I’m just, whatever she wants. I’m just there to help out and make it happen,” he told PEOPLE at an event for MOSH, the company he founded with his mother, Maria Shriver.
As for starting a family, Schwarzenegger is ready whenever Champion is. “I would have kids tomorrow if I could,” he revealed. “But it’s up to Abby. With her work right now, she’s so busy and stuff. I don’t know—but I would have kids tomorrow if I could.”
A Love Story for the Ages
Patrick Schwarzenegger and Abby Champion’s relationship is a testament to the power of growth, shared values, and unwavering support. From their early days of dating to their upcoming wedding, their love story continues to inspire. As Schwarzenegger puts it, “We’ve grown a lot together,” and that growth has only strengthened their bond.
Fans can catch Patrick Schwarzenegger in the new season of The White Lotus, premiering Sunday, February 16, at 9 p.m. ET on Max.
