Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver announce split

(CBS) It seemed a match made in American lore: A body-building immigrant turned mega movie star and a Kennedy scion get married, have several kids, and one goes on to become governor of the country's largest state, all while seeming to effortlessly balance his outspoken Republicanism with her deep Democratic roots.

As it turns out, the marriage of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver may have been too good to be true.

On Monday, the power couple announced they were separating after 25 years of marriage, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Pictures: Celebrity splits
Pictures: Arnold SchwarzeneggerPictures: Maria Shriver

In a statement released to the newspaper, the couple said:

"This has been a time of 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. They are the light and the center of both of our lives. 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 from the media and the public."

The Times reports that the couple met in 1977, when NBC's Tom Brokaw introduced Shriver to Schwarzenegger at a charity tennis tournament. The two married in 1986, and have four children.

Schwarzenegger is reportedly attempting a Hollywood comeback following his rocky tenure in the California governor's mansion. The Times reports that the two have led largely separate lives in recent months.