Dodging opponents, sleaze charges, and a hostile media, Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger came out tops in the bare-knuckles fight to occupy the chair of California governor.

Californians know the muscle-bound hero like the back of their hands. After all how many electorates can boast of having seen their governor naked on screen?

His story is what the American dream promises to every immigrant -- untold riches, fast cars, a good life, and fame. And Schwarzenegger has lived that promise to the hilt.

rediff.com takes at look at the life and times, and the ups and downs, of the bodybuilder turned Hollywood star.