Maria Shriver breaks her silence
The former California governor and Shriver announced in a joint statement Monday they were separating after 25 years of marriage.
Sources told the Los Angeles Times the two had been living "separate lives" for years, but postponed announcing the split because Shriver's father, Sargent Shriver, died in January and her mother, Eunice Shriver, died in August 2009.Sources told the Los Angeles Times the two had been living "separate lives" for years, but postponed announcing the split because Shriver's father, Sargent Shriver, died in January and her mother, Eunice Shriver, died in August 2009.A source close to the couple told People magazine they believed Schwarzenegger's role as governor took a toll on their relationship as Shriver put her TV news career on hold to support her husband -- who finished out his second term in January. Shriver, 55, moved out of the couple's mansion in Brentwood, Calif., a few weeks ago, the Times reported.
Schwarzenegger, 63, addressed the separation announcement Tuesday night as he accepted an award in honor of the 63rd Israeli Independence Day celebration in Los Angeles.
"I want to take a moment and thank our many friends and family for the tremendous amount of support and love that you have given us in the last 24 hours," he said before accepting the award for enhancing the economic ties between California and Israel.
"I just spoke to Maria an hour ago before I came here. We both were saying the same thing -- we're extremely blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people, by so many wonderful friends."
"We both love each other very much," Schwarzenegger continued.
"We're very fortunate to have four extraordinary children. And we're taking it one day at a time. The bottom line is we want to thank all the people for their great, great support."
The couple met when NBC journalist and former newsreader Tom Brokaw introduced Shriver to Schwarzenegger -- then an Austrian bodybuilder -- at a charity tennis tournament in 1977.
The pair married in 1986, with their 25th wedding anniversary passing without fanfare on April 26 this year.
They have four children -- Katherine, 21, Christina, 19, Patrick, 17, and 13-year-old Christopher.
Their son Patrick also publicly thanked friends for their love and support this week.
"Appreciate all your messages. Small speed bump I'n life, luckily we own hummers, we will cruise right over it. All will be okay. #peace," the 17-year-old tweeted Tuesday.
Source:nypost
