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‘I Am Devastated Today:’ Arnold Schwarzenegger Writes A Heartfelt Tribute To His Life-Long ‘Partner In Crime’
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‘I Am Devastated Today:’ Arnold Schwarzenegger Writes A Heartfelt Tribute To His Life-Long ‘Partner In Crime’

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True friendship lives on forever. Especially among legends. The mythical Arnold Schwarzenegger tugged on the internet’s heartstrings when he posted a tribute to his best friend and “partner in crime” Franco Columbu. The eulogy for the fellow actor and bodybuilding superstar is so heartfelt and honest that it’s difficult to keep the tears at bay.

The Terminator star once again proved that the biggest muscle he has — and the only one that really matters — is his heart. Internet users worldwide felt that Schwarzenegger’s salute to his best buddy of 54 years was worth everyone’s attention. The eulogy went viral, getting more than 62,500 upvotes on the r/bodybuilding subreddit. What’s more, Redditors gave Arnold 10 Platinum, 17 Gold, and 26 Silver Awards for his beautiful words. But it’s not the praise that Arnold got that matters — what matters is his sincerity.

Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a sincere tribute to his best friend Franco Columbu

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Columbu, who is originally from Sardinia, passed away in a hospital there last Friday at the age of 78. The man had become ill after going for a swim in the ocean, according to the media.

Schwarzenegger and Columbu were friendly bodybuilding rivals

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The former governor of California wrote online that he and Columbu “pushed each other”, “competed with each other”, and the pair “laughed at every moment along the way.” The pair had first met each other in Germany, where they became friendly rivals.

The men were inseparable — their friendship lasted 54 years

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Schwarzenegger and Columbu have a lot in common. The ‘Austrian Oak’ has won the coveted Mr. Olympia title 7 times, while Columbu won it twice. Columbu was also a very capable actor in his own right, staring along with Scwarzenegger in The Terminator, The Running Man, and Conan the Barbarian.

The friendship between the pair is enough to make anyone jealous

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But Columbo was far more than a friend to Schwarznegger — he was practically family. Arnold named him his best man in 1986 when he got married to Maria Shriver. What’s more, Columbo became godfather to their daughter Christina. The amazing friendship between these two titans is something everyone strives to have in their lives.

The two bodybuilders acted together in The Terminator, The Running Man, and Conan the Barbarian

'I Am Devastated Today:' Arnold Schwarzenegger Writes A Heartfelt Tribute To His Life-Long 'Partner In Crime'
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The bromance was so real, that Arnold uploaded a video of their friendship on YouTube himself

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marieluise75 avatar
Mimis Nachbarin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Touching. A long and true friendship like this one is a rare blessing.

cagwftx avatar
Tinley's Aunt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll be over here in a corner revising some of my opinions of Arnold. RIP Franco.

maskjoker avatar
Mask Joker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True Friendship never dies, U are always in our hearts..RIP Franco

leoh avatar
Leo H
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think franco was the guy that didnt shave his body hair..he just pulled it out

tempus-prime avatar
Biopithecus
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer and your true friends the closest. This is one inseparable friendship. RIP Franco.

rich_mccormick avatar
Rich McCormick
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was quite a fan of Franco. I cried when I read he passed away. This just made me cry again. A true legend in his own right. R.I.P.

shopgirl_ny2010 avatar
Kelly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Arnold shared deep and sensitive feelings for his Italian friend Franco <3

heartagram_77 avatar
Sardonic Scribe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He had better abs than Arnie back in the day. On a more serious note, they were definitely both exceptionally blessed to have shared this level of friendship.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time is a b***h. I hate seeing how old Arnold is. I wish we could preserve him forever in his 80's prime.

sforshann avatar
sforshann
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could have a long term best friend in my life... just wishing...

crisbarriuso avatar
Miss Cris
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree with him about arms but he's a great man in other things. His relation with his friend make me jelaous and their story is so kind. I'm in tears, now. Thank yo for this beautiful story and words.

maffe_koljonen avatar
Max Koljonen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a hot water bottle he blew up in the 70’s signed. Is it worth anything?

shanechang2015 avatar
Shane Chang
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The knowledge that we don't get to be with those we love forever is unimaginably cruel.

marieluise75 avatar
Mimis Nachbarin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Touching. A long and true friendship like this one is a rare blessing.

cagwftx avatar
Tinley's Aunt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll be over here in a corner revising some of my opinions of Arnold. RIP Franco.

maskjoker avatar
Mask Joker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True Friendship never dies, U are always in our hearts..RIP Franco

leoh avatar
Leo H
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think franco was the guy that didnt shave his body hair..he just pulled it out

tempus-prime avatar
Biopithecus
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer and your true friends the closest. This is one inseparable friendship. RIP Franco.

rich_mccormick avatar
Rich McCormick
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was quite a fan of Franco. I cried when I read he passed away. This just made me cry again. A true legend in his own right. R.I.P.

shopgirl_ny2010 avatar
Kelly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Arnold shared deep and sensitive feelings for his Italian friend Franco <3

heartagram_77 avatar
Sardonic Scribe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He had better abs than Arnie back in the day. On a more serious note, they were definitely both exceptionally blessed to have shared this level of friendship.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time is a b***h. I hate seeing how old Arnold is. I wish we could preserve him forever in his 80's prime.

sforshann avatar
sforshann
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could have a long term best friend in my life... just wishing...

crisbarriuso avatar
Miss Cris
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree with him about arms but he's a great man in other things. His relation with his friend make me jelaous and their story is so kind. I'm in tears, now. Thank yo for this beautiful story and words.

maffe_koljonen avatar
Max Koljonen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a hot water bottle he blew up in the 70’s signed. Is it worth anything?

shanechang2015 avatar
Shane Chang
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The knowledge that we don't get to be with those we love forever is unimaginably cruel.

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