Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives at George Bush’s funeral with his  longtime girlfriend

Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Texas on Thursday to pay tribute to the man who gave him his start in politics.

The former governor of California, 70, and girlfriend Heather Milligan were guests at the funeral for former president George H.W. Bush in Houston.

The occasion came 28 years after Schwarzenegger was appointed to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by Bush, a post he held for the remaining three years of his presidency.

Pair: He attended the event with girlfriend Heather Milligan

In the beginning: President George H.W. Bush gave Schwarzenegger his start in politics when he named him to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in 1990 (pair above in 1993 with Jeb Bush in Barbara in foreground)

Schwarzenegger then played a key role in Bush’s reelection campaign, earning himself the nickname of ‘Conan the Republican.’ 

He campaigned for Bush on his own dime, flying around the country in his private jet at the height of his fame to meet with governors and other representatives. 

Bush would lost that election to Bill Clinton, and Schwarzenegger would go on to take a similar role as Chairman for the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. 

A few years later, he would be governor of the state. 

Schwarzenegger was not the only towering presence in attendance on Thursday, with basketball great Yao Ming also at the service.

Ming played for the Houston Rockets during his storied sports career, and the team’s owner Tilman Fertitta was one of Bush’s closest friends.