Maria Shriver: 'This Is a Painful and Heartbreaking Time'

By Marc Schneider Posted May 17th 2011 01:04PM

Maria Shriver has asked for compassion and privacy just hours after it was revealed that her husband of 25 years, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, had fathered a child with a member of their household staff.

"This is a painful and heartbreaking time," Shriver said in a statement to the media. "As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment."

They have four children, ranging in age from 13 to 21. One of them, 17-year-old Patrick, took to Twitter today to say he "feels like s**t" but loves his family.

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Arnold and Maria

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver celebrate his victory in the California gubernatorial recall election on Oct. 7, 2003. More Pics >>

Arnold and Maria

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's home entrance is shown outside a gated community Tuesday May 17, 2011 in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger acknowledged Tuesday that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home before they announced their separation. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Arnold and Maria

FILE - This file photo taken Oct. 7, 2003, shows former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, as they celebrate his victory in the California gubernatorial recall election in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home before they announced their separation last week. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Arnold and Maria

FILE - In this file photo taken Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger kisses his wife, Maria Shriver, after taking his oath of office in Sacramento, Calif. Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home before they announced their separation last week. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Arnold and Maria

(FILES)California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to reporters after members of the National Governors Association met with US President Barack Obama February 22, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. Movie megastar and former US governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday his wife Maria Shriver separated from him after he admitted to fathering a child with a member of the household staff. "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in the statement to the Los Angeles Times."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. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Arnold and Maria

(FILES)California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger makes the announcement that sufficient money had been raised to purchase and protect the land around the historic Hollywood sign in Hollywood on April 26, 2010. Movie megastar and former US governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said May 17, 2011 his wife Maria Shriver separated from him after he admitted to fathering a child with a member of the household staff. "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in the statement to the Los Angeles Times. "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. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Arnold and Maria

(FILES) In this filed photo dated October 2, 2009 shows former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver during a photo call at the Governors' Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles. Movie megastar and former US governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday his wife Maria Shriver separated from him after he admitted to fathering a child with a member of the household staff. "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in the statement to the Los Angeles Times. "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. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON / FILES (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Arnold and Maria

In a May 10, 2011 photo Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at the Israel 63rd Independence Day Celebration hosted by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Arnold and Maria

Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at the Israel 63rd Independence Day Celebration hosted by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Schwarzenegger was honored at the event. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Arnold and Maria

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10: (FILE PHOTO) Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger accepts an award at Skirball Cultural Center on May 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images For The Consulate General of Israel)

Arnold and Maria

The former California governor had similar sentiment in comments to the Los Angeles Times earlier Tuesday. "I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time. While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not."

Shriver reportedly moved out of the couple's house earlier this year after Schwarzenegger revealed to her that he was the father of a staff member's child.

"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger said Monday in a statement. "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."

The woman with whom Schwarzenegger had the affair reportedly worked in the family's home for the past 20 years, and retired this past January. Though her name has not been released, she told the Times that she left voluntarily and received severance pay.

"I wanted to achieve my 20 years, then I asked to retire," she said, adding that she "left on good terms with them."

Schwarzenegger and Shriver announced their seemingly shocking separation just last week.

Tags: arnold schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver

Comments

(645)

Tuesday 17 May

By kay

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Oh Boy - we have a "Replublican" plug - now let's hear the "racial" plug! NEITHER have anything to do with the story line!

By Doug

Washington is a town that is full of hypocrites .. both dems and reps .. on this and other issues. So drop the partisanship

By ohiodi

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Remember MLK was a democrat and he had baby mamas all over the place.

By Aboona Joe

yeah, bonbon [or dumdum]; but neither Edwards nor Clinton [nor democrats in general] EVER present themselves as PARADIGMS of "Family Values", like Republicans do ALL THE TIME! BIG difference!

By syl1969

No Bonbon, we didn't forget - it's just that Edwards and Clinton didn't go around pushing "family values" down our throats and acting holier than thou about themselves. THAT's what is galling - the hypocracy! Arnold was against gay marriage because of the "sanctity" of marriage between a man and a woman. Well, we see how THAT worked out, huh?

By Wil

Ok, what are the Democratic family values? If you don't know, ask Rev. Jesse Jackson, Pres Bill Clinton, The Kennedys (put any Kennedy male's name there, including John, Bobby, Ted). They'll surely tell you what family values are. Then we can all follow them, right?

Tuesday 24 May

By Lynne

Hey.....I'm a homely housekeeper.........Arnold will need a new housekeeper....I must find out where to apply for the job........I need to procure my financial future, hell by throwing my birth control pills down the sink.

By angelvoice123

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I'm so very sorry for Maria and her children. I pray that the public does as she asks and give her the privacy she deserves at this troubled time in she and her children's lives.

By rwca562

At least Tiger did not have kids but news media eat him a live they should threat him the same

By ks

One would hope the press will give the privacy and respect requested, but then that's sort of like asking the wolves to leave the sheep alone because they're feeling a little weak at the moment.

By ny

I agree totally . HE is a pig. There was no excuse for that. He should be ashamed of himself. And my heart goes out to Maria and the kids.and the other child.

By ojibwawife

Actually replying to: rwca562

Tiger had TWO kids, where the HE** have YOU been?

By Blonde Ambition

Tiger does have kids. He didn't seem to think of them, either.

By Fran Scott

We all feel sorry for Maria as we felt sorry for all the other wives before her. Unfortunately, the problem is that a man can love one woman but still lust after another woman. It does not make any of this right but it is simply a fact (I believe there are millions of uncovered similar affairs). We also know that men are easily tempted - this not to say the house staff member tempted Arnold but she certainly was not raped and more than likely lusted after Arnold's body as well. Then she had the unmitigated gall to say she wanted to put in her 20 years with the couple, retired with severance pay, and left on good terms with both Maria and Arnold. This woman failed to mention that she left in January when Maria did not yet know she was having sex with Arnold.

By Sue

Angelvoice... I Think meant no kids with the Mistresses...

By Southpaw

Hope the woman's husband tells her to get lost, too. She lied to him and their daughter for 10 yrs. as well. Dirtbag. Not sure what's wrong with these guys...can't keep it in their pants....ever.

By Patsy

Where did you read that the child is a girl?

By Linda

Ok so what about the child? Does he have access or more to the point does he want to be a part of the child's life? I heard he is giving the woman and child support but what about being a Dad to the kid? I'd like to hear what his kids have to say...but they are too young. I hope Maria and the kids find peace.

By seft1556

I feel sorry for everybody involved, except Arnold and his lover. I am so sick of powerful men being so self centered, and women not respecting other women, and I am putting it mildly! Is anybody faithful anymore? My heart goes out to Maria and all the children, I wish them well.

By ac144ac

I feel sorry for the child. None of this is his/her fault, yet for the rest of it's life, this child will be tagged as The Governator's little b**tard. He/she is the true victim of this mess. Schwarzenegger's other children will be enveloped by sympathy and the protection of Kennedy power. Maria Shriver is the "woman wronged" and there will be plenty of support for her. However, this little kid will forever be a target for blame, late-night TV hosts and ridicule. It would have been better if his mother had moved out of the household as soon as she decided to have the baby, kept her mouth shut and made financial support arrangements, quietly, for the child. It would have been the kinder thing to do for everyone concerned. I think somebody got greedy and decided to use this poor little kid as a bargaining chip. Either that, or it could be that Arnold actually cares about this child and doesn't give a rat's butt if the world knows he's the father. Who are we to say?

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