Maria Shriver Speaks Out on "Painful and Heartbreaking Time"

Celebrity News May 17, 2011 AT 12:18PM
Maria Shriver Speaks Out on "Painful and Heartbreaking Time" Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Maria Shriver has spoken up.

Hours after her estranged husband Arnold Schwarzenegger's stunning public confession -- he secretly fathered a child with a household staffer ten years ago -- the veteran TV journalist released a statement conveying her anguish as a wife and mom.

VIDEO: Arnold and Maria in happier times

"This is a painful and heartbreaking time," Shriver, 55. "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."

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Married for 25 years, Shriver and Schwarzenegger, 63, have four children together: Katherine, 21, Christina, 19, Patrick, 17, and Christopher, 13.

Schwarzenegger revealed early Tuesday that he and a longtime staff member (employed by the family for 20 years) had a child together over ten years ago. After his tenure as California governor was up, he broke the news to Shriver earlier this year; she moved out of their shared Brentwood, L.A. home soon thereafter.

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"I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family," the former movie star said. "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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  • May 19, 2011 - 7:53am Marlen Amador

    Arnold felt attracted by this woman because he noticed that Maria didn't have the qualities that this woman have, Status, education and beauty does not guaranty 100% happiness in a marriage.

  • May 18, 2011 - 5:58pm Winnie Morris

    Arnold's mistress is neither attractive nor stylish at all - no comparison to Maria. How could Hollywood movie star Arnold have no taste in women? Sorry Stupid Arnold.

  • May 18, 2011 - 9:09am Cheryl Akins

    Ms. Davis-Foster, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with your comment about being no one's business if the President messes around. I understand it's a personal opinion and I respect your opinion, but it is the people's business -- there's such thing as a code of conduct; and it says a great deal about the character and integrity of someone by their conduct in both their personal and private life - especially if they are public official and voted into office by the people. If they're unable to run and conduct their personal lives in a morally acceptable manner, then they more than likely aren't going to abide my much (morally) in their political and/or governmental lives/career, either.

  • May 18, 2011 - 8:17am Cheryl Akins

    Maria, here's Elin Nordegren's number (355-555- 1234) -- give her a call! She's said that she's got an extra set of golf clubs you can borrow!

  • May 17, 2011 - 11:44pm Luckner Delice

    Am so sorry for her i know the pain she in haven't been thru the samathin. after 12yrswith my boyfriend he left me for an AFRICAN WOMAN I HAVE 4 KIDS WITH HIM AND HE MARRY HER AND AFTER DNA DONE HE FOUND OUT THE BABYIS NOT FOR HIM,

  • May 17, 2011 - 9:16pm Filomena Araujo

    Arnold is a pathetic old boob, and Maria deserves someone better than a dirtbag who can barely speak English, who is busy banging the hired help behind Maria's back!

  • May 17, 2011 - 7:49pm Kathy Davis-Foster

    To Tim-I agree with the other women-DON'T GET MARRIED! What if something happened and ur wife was told by her Doctor" Sorry, u can't have sex" and it lasted 6months? Would that give u the "right" to cheat? By ur comments I think ur little brain would see it as ok. My husband didn't.( I love u Dear!) To Ronnie-U know what? Big freaking deal! It wasn't and still ain't ANYBODIES business who the man in the Oval office is messing with (assuming it ain't the wife of a political official from a different country) except for his WIFE. That was all bull what was done to Clinton. And I'd bet she went after him full bore. Sorry, Ladies, I bet a lot of men would if it's offered over and over again. Even more so if they've done it bfore and didn't get caught. It don't make it right but since MEN are the WEAKER SEX when it comes to sex. I know Maria has a lot of family who will b there for her and her kids as they deal with this complete betrail(?). All the women of America r there for u Maria. Sorry, almost all.

  • May 17, 2011 - 6:47pm Beckie Smith

    this is just sick. marriage is sacred. he crossed the line. no one is perfect but to father a child with someone other than his wife during their marriage is just wrong. hope she gets all the love and support that she deserves and he gets all the misery he deserves for doing this to his family.

  • May 17, 2011 - 6:39pm Pam Wehrman

    Our hearts go out to Ms. Shriver...I have a feeling she is going to recover from this and come back as a force to be reckoned with! Wish her the very best...she has done so much for so many people. Took care of her aging parents, stood by that dolt all the way through his governership and raised her kids. Hopefully she gets to the 'good riddance' stage soon! FiftyIsTheNewForty

  • May 17, 2011 - 5:24pm Karla Craig Dishon

    TIM -Men totally quit pleasing women also. Why do you think they invented the Little Blue Pill. Sometimes it still does not work as effectively but most women love their husbands and continue on with their marriage because their husband is more important to them than the sex. A long marriage = Tons of memory's. You can't buy that.

  • May 17, 2011 - 4:43pm Isabel Paxton

    What gets me is Arnold FAILED to tell Maria this before he was governor. She is very outspoken about the fact that she never wanted to be First Lady of CA, she did it all for Arnold. He USED Maria Shriver to be the perfect trophy wife in order to advance his political career. And he BANGED the "help" in his WIFE and CHILDREN'S home!! And the tramp he got pregnant CONTINUED to work in his HOME long after their child was born. Maria and the kids all trusted this tramp, obviously. I hope Maria Shriver gets every penny Arnie ever made in the divorce.

  • May 17, 2011 - 4:32pm Rebecca Christiansen

    You know what kills me is that you people didn't have a problem with Arnold commuting the sentence of Esteban Nunez for his part in the gang murder of Luis Santos. You have one idiot thinking Maria cut off the sex and that's why Arnold strayed...Message for Clueless Tim: don't get married because marriage isn't just about SEX. But my point here is folks - Arnold is a sociopath. Do you need any more evidence? But also Nicole - you know the female gender is really the root of the problem especially with men like your husband. If women were raised to respect the relationships of their gender instead of regarding men as the "prize" then perhaps this kind of cr*p wouldn't happen with such great frequency. I mean, c'mon MEN CHEAT WITH WOMEN...means women are 50% responsible for the problem. They can JUST SAY NO. But it doesn't happen because pigs like Arnold have money and power and women are the more materialistic of the sexes...their sexual favors can easily be bought.

  • May 17, 2011 - 4:05pm Jan Hood

    Nicole, so sorry for your recent pain, you must be devastated. God Bless.

  • May 17, 2011 - 2:59pm Jenny Lyons

    Tim...are you serious right now?? Marriage isn't just about sex..it's about trust and friendship..and even if that was the case...it does not excuse this man to be unfaithful to his wife!

  • May 17, 2011 - 2:42pm Nicole Rodger Escobedo

    All men are dogs my husband did the same thing he had a child with another women while married to me. I just found this out 3 weeks ago. now I hear about it all the time a lot of men have done this to there wives and have not come out. It HURTS beyond belief. I know 100% what Maria Shriver is going though the pain is awful.

  • May 17, 2011 - 2:15pm Plumb Annie

    I can't imagine the betrayal his family, especially Maria feels. Especially when it is a member of her staff for 20 years who Maria treated like family! Not only is Arnold a pig, but so is this woman staffer (who was also married). SICK!

  • May 17, 2011 - 2:08pm Kim Novak

    Tim ...then STAY SINGLE and you don't have to worry about it!!! But, MEN QUIT pleasing women too just the same!!! What a crock of sh!t!!!

  • May 17, 2011 - 1:59pm Hope Marx

    Tim, have you conducted a survey, and 99.9% is the percentage of women you have found who quit pleasing their husbands, thus FORCING the men to cheat? You're as disgusting as Arnold.

  • May 17, 2011 - 1:40pm Diane Stadtherr

    Gee Tim, are you one of those men? That's quite the sterotypical response of a man that's being deprived of their sex! The thing between your legs is what rules your life! Men are NOT the only one's that cheat. Woman do it to. I've been married for over 21 years and neither of us has cheated, and don't plan too.

  • May 17, 2011 - 1:35pm Karen Herzog

    it doesn't matter if she quit pleasing her husband, if he is dissatified, then they should of went to marriage counseling. rignt ? if u truly love someone, then u will seek counseling.

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