Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver split over baby he fathered with member of household staff

FormerCaliforniagovernorArnold Schwarzeneggerand his glamorous wife,Maria Shriver, split up because he fathered a child with a member of their household staff.

The couple, together for 25 years, announced their separation earlier this month, but remained mum on what cause the split.

Schwarzenegger said in a statement to theLos Angeles Timeslate Monday they broke up after he admitted to Shriver that the child, born 10 years ago, was his.

"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago,"Schwarzenegger said in the statement.

"I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family,"he said."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 63-year-old actor and former bodybuilder asked that the media"respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time. While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not."

Shriver, a television journalist and the daughter ofSargent ShriverandEunice Kennedy Shriver, sister ofJohn F. Kennedy, had no comment, the paper reported.

In a separate statement, the employee told the Times she had initially said her husband at the time was the child's father. The birth occurred years before Schwarzenegger became governor of California in 2004.

Another source told the Times that Schwarzenegger has supported the child financially from the beginning.

The newspaper reported that the child's mother had worked for the couple for at least 20 years before retiring in January. The Times did not reveal her name, job or of the gender of the child.

"I wanted to achieve my 20 years, then I asked to retire,"the woman said, noting she"left on good terms."

Schwarzenegger had faced accusations in the past that he had a habit of groping women. Shriver, 55, stood by him during that period, but the"Conan"actor later admitted he"behaved badly sometimes."

The couple has four children together, two girls and two boys. They have been married since 1986.

Since his term as California's governor ended in early January, Schwarzenegger has traveled the globe, meeting with world leaders and trying to restart his movie career. He is expected to return to the big screen in the drama"Cry Macho."

The former action star may also resurrect the blockbuster"Terminator"movie franchise.

With News Wire Services

msheridan@nydailynews.com; or follow him atTwitter.com/NYDNSheridan

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