Arnold Schwarzenegger kept his love child secret from his wife�Maria Shriver for about ten years. Picture: Mark J. Terril Source: news.com.au
- Shriver wants space to rebuild her life
- Children air hurt feelings on Twitter �
- Democrats want to know if Arnie abused his office �
MARIA Shriver asked for compassion and privacy after her estranged husband Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed he had fathered a child with a member of his household staff ten years ago.
"This is a painful and heartbreaking time," she said. "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."
Ms Shriver, 55, and the former California governor have four children together - Katherine, 21, Christina, 19, Patrick, 17, and 13-year-old Christopher.
She said she would have no further comment on the situation, although sources told entertainment website TMZ that she may appear on the last episode of Oprah Winfrey's talk show.
Mr Schwarzenegger's children took to Twitter to air their feelings. Patrick wrote:
He also changed the last name displayed on his account from Schwarzenegger to Shriver.
His sister Katherine wrote on her account:
Mr Schwarzenegger's revelation that he fathered a child with a employee came a week after he announced he and Ms Shriver were separating.
"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," he said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times yesterday.
"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. I have apologised to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."
Mr Schwarzenegger took financial responsibility for the child "from the start and continued to provide support", the newspaper reported an unidentified source as saying.
The mother of the child voluntarily left her position with the couple earlier this year after working for them for 20 years. The newspaper reported she received a severance payment and "left on good terms with them".
Eric Bauman, vice chairman of the California Democratic Party and chairman of the Los Angeles Democratic Party, told Radar Online that he wants an official inquiry into whether Schwarzenegger paid the woman with state or campaign money.
"Californians are greatly concerned that the former governor deceived not just his wife and his children," he said.
"I for one certainly would like to know if any governmental or campaign resources were used to cover up this fiasco."
Former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm took to Twitter to blast the Terminator actor:
The revelations have already inspired a number of jokes that play on Schwarzenegger's best-known role in the Terminator series.� Former Star Trek actor George Takei today tweeted:
Ms Shriver, who had been married to Mr Schwarzenegger for 25 years, moved out of the couple's mansion a few weeks ago. They issued a joint statement last week, saying they were working on the future of their relationship while living apart.
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"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," they said.
The couple met in 1977 when NBC journalist and former newsreader Tom Brokaw introduced Ms Shriver to Mr Schwarzenegger - then an Austrian bodybuilder - at a charity tennis tournament.
Sources told TMZ that in addition to possibly appearing on Ms Winfrey's final show, due to air May 25, Shriver met with the TV host last week to discuss the possibility of a Shriver-hosted talk show on Ms Winfrey's OWN Network.
Read more on Schwarzenegger's lovechild at the Los Angeles Times.�
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