TMZ: Maria Shriver Having Second Thoughts About Divorcing Arnold
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Maria Shriver is telling friends she's having second thoughts about divorcing Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to entertainment website TMZ.
The report says Shriver is torn about going through with her impending divorce, partly because her strong religious beliefs are weighing heavily on her decision.
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TMZ reports Schwarzenegger has been "extremely sweet" to Shriver and has made several gestures to win her back.
Shriver filed for divorce on July 1, citing "irreconcilable differences" after it was revealed that Schwarzenegger fathered a child with a former household staff member.
Prominent family and trial attorney Gloria Allred spoke with KNX 1070 News Radio about the possible reconciliation.
"Well, it's not surprising during this holiday season that a lot of people, especially women, become nostalgic about their families and what they wish they would have in their family life next year...," Allred told KNX 1070 reporter Mike Helton.
"That doesn't mean she is thinking about taking him back or, if she is, that she would take him back," according to the lawyer who's represented countless celebrities and high-profile cases.
Allred pointed out that there are several factors that may bring them back together. The couple had four children together, one of whom is still a minor. They were also a working couple, with Shriver rallying behind Schwarzenegger through his journey to becoming governor of California.
"They did so much together -- they built a life together. It's kind of hard to forget the elephant in the room which is his extramarital affair with the housekeeper, the child that was born as a result of that relationship, and the questions she probably has about how many women, if any, he had while he was in a marriage with her.
"She probably has mixed feelings -- that wouldn't be a surprise -- but it would be a surprise if they got back together again."
It's always hard on any marriage if there's betrayal committed, hard to put marriages back together again.
Allred said she usually sees more divorces in January than in any other month of the year. Couples try to make it through the holidays together before they actually split.
She said reconciliation can happen but it usually takes a counselor and a willingness to be open and honest with their significant other.
"You have to try to put the past in perspective -- not forget about it -- but to put it in perspective," Allred said.
