Arnold Schwarzenegger love-child confession ends marriage

Published on Tuesday 17 May 2011 16:46

Arnold Schwarzenegger has owned up to fathering the child of a household employee more than a decade ago - a revelation thought to have prompted the break-up of his marriage.

Last week, the former governor of California confirmed that he and his wife of 25 years, Maria Shriver, had separated.

It is believed she left the family home earlier this year after the actor turned politician finally came clean about the child he had with a long-term staff member. In a statement, Schwarzenegger, 63, apologised to his family, adding that he was deserving of their "anger and disappointment".

Acknowledging the child was his, he said: "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago.

"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." He added: "I have apologised to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."

The Los Angeles Times reported that the household staff member had been with the family for 20 years before retiring in January. It is believed that Schwarzenegger told his wife that he was the father of the child after the woman left her post at the couple's Californian mansion.

It led to the apparent end of a relationship that paired one of Hollywood's most bankable action stars with a member of the Kennedy political dynasty.

Ms Shriver's late mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was a sibling of president John F Kennedy and his brothers, senators Robert and Edward.

It is not the first time that Schwarzenegger has faced scrutiny over his sexual conduct.

In 2003, whilst running for office in California, he was accused of groping a series of women over the years. At first denying any wrongdoing, the former Mr Universe later apologised, saying that he "behaved badly sometimes".

Throughout, Ms Shriver - an award-winning journalist who put her career on hold to support her husband's political aspirations - stood beside her man and defended him against the accusations.

But it appears news of his fathering another woman's child was a revelation too far.

In a joint statement last week, the couple said that they had split following "a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion and prayer". Although now living apart, they intend to parent their four children together, the statement added.

The pair, who first met at a charity tennis tournament in 1977 and married nine years later, have four children.