Shriver: ‘This is painful time’

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple’s home before they announced their separation last week.

Shriver separately issued a statement saying it was a “heartbreaking time,” and one of their children, Patrick, expressed sadness and a yearning for normalcy in a Twitter message.

Schwarzenegger and Shriver jointly announced May 9 that they were splitting up after 25 years of marriage.

Yet, Shriver moved out of the family’s Brentwood mansion earlier in the year after Schwarzenegger acknowledged the child is his, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

“After leaving the governor’s office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago,” Schwarzenegger told the Times on Monday in a statement that was later sent to The Associated Press.

“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.”

Hours later, Shriver also released a statement: “This is a painful and heartbreaking time. As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment.”

The Times did not publish the former staffer’s name or that of her child but said the woman worked for the family for 20 years and retired in January.

The former staffer told the Times that another man — her husband at the time — was the child’s father.

The child was born before Schwarzenegger began his seven-year stint in public office. Shriver stood by her husband during his 2003 gubernatorial campaign after the Times reported accusations that he had a history of groping women.