Former Governor Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver Separate
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Former California First Lady Maria Shriver and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have separated.
The couple, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on April 26, released the following statement:
"This has been a great personal and professional transition for each of us. After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion and prayer, we came to this decision together. At this time we are living apart, while we work on the future of our relationship. We are continuing to parent our four children together. We consider this a private matter, and neither we nor any of our friends or family will have further comment. We ask for compassion and respect fro the media and the public."
Always an unlikely pair — she is an old-money Kennedy Democrat and he the Republican foreign-born bodybuilder who came to the United States with little more than the shirt on his back — Shriver helped Schwarzenegger solidify his support among women voters.
During the 2008 campaign, she loudly supported Barack Obama. He, in turn, came out as a McCain supporter.
Schwarzenegger was dogged throughout his Hollywood career for being something of a womanizer; several times being accused of inappropriate behavior including "groping" women.
The couple have four children.
