Los Angeles (CNN) — Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child more than ten years ago outside of his marriage to Maria Shriver, a source close to the former California governor confirmed today.
Shriver, who described her husband as an “A-plus human being” when he was accused of sexual misconduct in 2003, called it “a painful and heartbreaking time” in a written statement to CNN.
“As a mother, my concern is for the children,” Shriver said. “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.”
The revelation, published first by the Los Angeles Times, came about a week after Schwarzenegger and his wife of 25 years announced that they were “amicably separating.”
“After leaving the governor’s office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement obtained by CNN. “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.”
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Schwarzenegger fathered the child with a household staffer, the Times article said. He has provided support for the child since birth, the source told CNN.
The staffer told the newspaper that the child was fathered by her then-husband. She declined to comment after learning of Schwarzenegger’s statement, the newspaper reported.
The newspaper quoted her as saying she recently retired “on good terms” with the couple after working for them for 20 years.
The newspaper said it was not publishing the former staffer’s name or that of her child to protect their privacy.
The May 9 announcement that Schwarzenegger and Shriver were separating did not mention a reason for the split, but said the decision was a mutual one.
“This has been a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us,” they said. “After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion, and prayer, we came to this decision together.”
The couple have four children together between the ages of 14 and 21.
A spokeswoman for Shriver said she would have no comment, the Times reported.
After Schwarzenegger and Shriver married in 1986, they became one of America’s most famous couples.
He was one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, and she was a network news anchor and a member of the Kennedy family, America’s storied Democratic political dynasty.
