Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shiver divorced at last as decade-old proceedings end
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver ended their decade-long divorce proceedings as a Los Angeles judge signed on their legal separation on December 28. The couple who got married in 1986 called off their relationship when it was publicly known in 2011 that Schwarzenegger was involved in a cheating scandal with the family's ex-housekeeper Mildred Baena and has even fathered a child, Joseph Baena, outside of marriage.
Shriver, a journalist, philanthropist and member of the Kennedy clan, filed her original divorce petition against the former California governor in July 2011. The court records revealed that Baena gave birth to son Joseph just one week after Shriver delivered her youngest son Christopher in 1997. The decade-long divorce process was dragged out due to the absence of a prenup agreement and there were complications over splitting the couple's fortune and estates.
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Schwarzenegger told The Times, "After leaving the governor's office, I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago." "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 apologized to Maria, my children, and my family. I am truly sorry."
The former California Governor also addressed his split on 'The Howard Stern' show where he said, "It's a very tough situation for me. It's a very tough situation for my kids. Very tough situation for my family. It was tough for everybody. But it has happened and now we have to figure it out, right?"
After the split, the former couple remained cordial over the years and continue to co-parent their four children. Currently, they have embraced their role of being grandparents to their daughter Katherine and Chris Pratt's 16-month-old daughter, Lyla.
Katherine spoke about their role as grandparents to US Weekly, "It's such a great and cool new role for both of them to be able to experience. Also, for me as their daughter to watch them in this new role is such a beautiful thing."
Shriver, 66, and Schwarzenegger, 74, were married in 1986 and share four kids — Katherine, 32, Christina, 30, Patrick, 28, and Christopher, 24.