The real reason actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 63, and his journalist wife Maria Shriver, 55, separated after a quarter century, is that the former California governor recently admitted to fathering a secret child some ten years ago with a longtime household staff member, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Schwarzenegger knew about the child well before he ran for governor, when he had been accused of – and apologized for – aggressively groping women, and all the while his wife stood loyally by him, vouching for his integrity.
After 25 years of marriage and four children, Shriver left the family home in Los Angeles earlier this year when she learned Schwarzenegger had fathered a child more than a decade ago. The staff member worked for the family for 20 years, and retired last January.
"After leaving the governor’s office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger said last night (May 16) in a statement issued to the L.A. Times in response to questions.
"I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.
"I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time," the statement concluded. "While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not."
Last Friday (May 13) when news of the couple’s separation was made public, Shriver sent a Twitter message to her more than 750,000 followers: "Thank you all for the kindness, support and compassion. I am humbled by the love. Thank you."