Arnie steps down as California governor

After seven years at the helm of the Golden State, the former champion body builder turned "Terminator" movie megastar and businessman is leaving his adopted home mired in huge financial woes.

But as he prepared to hand over power to Democrat Jerry Brown two months after 2 November polls – Arnie stood by all his decisions.

"History will be the final judge of my administration’s record," he said in his last weekly radio address. "But I leave office proud of what we have accomplished."

While he impressed many with his transformation into a liberal Republican and green champion who won reelection in 2006, his poll ratings slid in recent years, in line with California's dire economic fortunes.

A budget crisis in 2010 pushed California, which would have been the world's eighth largest economy if it were a country, to the brink of bankruptcy, sending its credit-rating plunging and forcing it to pay bills with IOUs.

But while commentators will pick over Schwarzenegger's political legacy here, many are watching closely to see what the 63-year-old will do next – notably whether he will return to the movies.

In an interview with the LA Times last month, he acknowledged he has many other options, from writing his autobiography to the speech-making circuit, to business projects or even a behind-the-camera role in Hollywood.

It is all a long way from his humble beginnings in a small town near Graz in eastern Austria.

In 1968, after winning a string of bodybuilding contests, the penniless 21-year-old came to the United States to pursue his passion.

He earned a business and economics degree from the University of Wisconsin, became a millionaire while winning the Mr. Universe title four more times, and then shrugged off barbs about his thick accent as he turned to acting.

Joining Hollywood's royalty, his ominous "Terminator" catchphrases "I'll be back," and "Hasta la vista, baby" have now entered the English language -- and he still uses them frequently as a politician.

Along the way he also married into a political dynasty, wedding Maria Shriver, a niece of former president John F. Kennedy as well as a journalist and author.

His star power would certainly help him pursue a political career – there has even been talk about him joining the Obama administration in some environmental role.

One thing is clear: he doesn't need the money – he made a reported 30 million a film at his Hollywood height, and refused his salary as California governor – not to mention extensive business interests.