The man formerly known as the Governator has fathered a child with a staff member who worked for the Schwarzenegger family for 20 years. It has been revealed that this is the reason Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, separated after she had recently learned he had fathered the child more than a decade ago.

The staff member retired in January this year and her anonymity, and that of the child, are being protected at this stage for reasons of privacy.

Shriver had moved out of the family’s Brentwood mansion earlier this year after Schwarzenegger acknowledged the paternity.

The two had been married for 25 years and at times lived a high profile life as a powerful political couple. They have four children together and their ages range from 13 to 21.

On Monday night Schwarzenegger issued a statement to The Los Angeles Times in response to their questions:

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.

He concluded his statement by asking for the privacy of those concerned to be maintained:

I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time. While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not.

Since leaving office in January this year, Schwarzenegger had refocused his business interests and it started to become clear that the couple were beginning to lead increasingly separate lives.

Shriver had been a long-time television journalist who had given up her job at NBC when Schwarzenegger took office. This was so that she could focus more attention on her humanitarian interests.

Schwarzenegger, no stranger to controversy, has been accused of groping a string of different women before. Shriver had duly stood by his side and defended his character during his time of campaigning for office.

Earlier reports on the separation had suggested the two may have tried to make an amicable reconciliation of the marriage, but sources close to the couple now say otherwise, obviously.

[Source: LATimes]