Arnold Schwarzenegger, the famous former bodybuilder and actor, talked about his past mistakes and the affair that ended his 25-year marriage to journalist Maria Shriver in 2011.
In a candid interview published in People magazine on Sunday, Schwarzenegger, known for his frank behavior, openly admitted that his romance with family therapist Mildred Baena was a mistake.
Reflecting on a turbulent period in his life, Arnold emphasized that there was no hostility or dramatic fights that led to the breakup of his marriage. However, he acknowledged that this affair affected their relationship and family.
The affair between Schwarzenegger and Baena resulted in the birth of a child named Joseph, who was born just five days after Schwarzenegger and Shriver’s son, Christopher. Despite the scandalous revelation, the 76-year-old star expressed his ongoing respect and attachment to the 67-year-old Shriver.
He said:
“My connection with Maria will last forever. Despite having other relationships, I have no reason to feel anything but love for her.”
Additionally, the actor stressed that during all the turbulent times, their priority was the well-being of their children. He stated:
“We always made it clear that the children should not suffer because of this affair. She has her own things, her own relationships, and I have mine [with Heather Milligan], but we always communicate about the children, holidays, birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Christmas.”
However, behind the scenes, sources suggested that Shriver’s children from their marriage might have mixed feelings about their half-brother Joseph. A source reported in May that the other children “do not like” Joseph, despite Schwarzenegger treating him the same as his other children.
The affair became known during a marriage counseling session in 2011, as shown in the Netflix documentary “Arnold.” This revelation led to the announcement of the end of the actor’s 25-year marriage in May 2011, which was a significant moment in both his and Shriver’s lives. Despite the painful chapter in their history, Arnold’s candid admission and his commitment to maintaining a friendly relationship with his ex-wife reflect his continued growth and resilience.