Arnold & Maria Terminated Separate after 25 Years of Marriage

Arnold & Maria Terminated

Separate after 25 Years of Marriage

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, have separated, with Shriver moving out of their Brentwood mansion while the two determine the next step in their 25-year marriage.

Shriver has been residing apart from the actor-turned-politician for the last few weeks. The former first couple confirmed the separation in a joint statement released yesterday after questions were raised by the Los Angeles Times.

"This has been a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us," the statement read. "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."

Over the years, the couple's marriage has come under close scrutiny, especially during the 2003 recall of Gov. Gray Davis, when the LA Times reported on Schwarzenegger's lengthy history of groping women. At the time, Shriver defended her husband, helping lift him to victory in the free-for-all contest.

Since Schwarzenegger left office, it had seemed as though the two were living separate lives. Shriver has worked on her women's-empowerment Web site, guest edited an issue of Oprah Winfrey's magazine, and promoted causes such as Alzheimer's research.

She struggled with the death of her father, Sargent Shriver, in January. Shriver, 55, spoke openly about the uncertainty she felt about moving on to the next phase of her life.

"It is so stressful to not know what you're doing next," Shriver said in a March 28 YouTube video to supporters.

Though there was no intimation of a split, Shriver appeared without her wedding ring.

"I'd like to hear from other people in transition," Shriver said. "How did you get through it? What were three things that enabled you to get through your transition?"

The former governor, 63, said in April that he yearned for a show-business comeback. It was later announced that Schwarzenegger had signed on to star in three films, including another installment in the "Terminator" series.

The couple met in 1977, when NBC's Tom Brokaw introduced Shriver to Schwarzenegger at a charity tennis tournament. The two married in 1986.

With their marriage, the Republican Schwarzenegger entered one of the most storied Democratic dynasties in America; Shriver is the daughter of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver.