Arnold Schwarzenegger & Maria Shriver Announce Separation After 25-Year Marriage

LA Times:

Former 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 Monday after questions were raised by The 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.

Politico:

Shriver, a TV journalist who grew up as part of the extended Kennedy family, married Schwarzenegger in April 1986, two years after his breakthrough movies role in “Conan the Destroyer” and James Cameron’s “The Terminator.” He remained one of the world’s top movie stars through the 1990s.

The native of Austria, once the world’s top bodybuilder, dove into politics in 2003 at the time of a recall election for Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. In a wide-open field, he won 49 percent of the vote on the replacement ballot, and the Republican was reelected in a landslide in 2006, garnering 56 percent of the vote against Democrat Phil Angelides.

The Hollywood Reporter:

"We are continuing to parent our four children together," the couple added. "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."

Since leaving office, Schwarzenegger has signed on to star in the drama Cry Macho. His reps at CAA also are shopping a package for a new Terminator sequel. In addition, he has partnered with Stan Lee on a Governator comic and animated series, with plans for a movie as well.