Maria Shriver Cried with Arnold Schwarzenegger's Ex-mistress after She Confessed He Fathered Her Kid

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver were one of the strongest couples in Hollywood. Shriver constantly supported her husband even when he ran for California governor. So it was a surprise when their separation announcement was shortly followed by Schwarzenegger's affair and secret love child.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver met in 1977 at a charity tennis tournament. The couple dated for nine years before they tied the knot.

Shriver comes from the Kenndy family; her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was the sister of President John F Kennedy. She welcomed Kathrine, her first child, with Schwarzenegger in 1989. Their second daughter Christina followed in 1991.

In 1993 the couple welcomed a son, Patrick and Christopher followed in 1997. A few years after having all four children, the action star and bodybuilder entered the political realm and ran for California's governor in 2003.

Shriver was supportive of her husband's career development. The journalist even took unpaid leave from her anchor job on Dateline NBC to stand by Schwarzenegger's side as he embarked on his journey as governor.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AND MARIA SHRIVER SEPARATED AFTER 25 YEARS

Schwarzenegger and Shriver had been one of the long-standing couples in the public eye; therefore, it was a shock when the couple announced their separation after 25 years together.

However, soon after the split was announced, it was revealed that Schwarzenegger had a secret 13-year-old son, Joseph Baena, that was conceived during his marriage with Shriver.

The action star had an affair with a close family domestic worker. After the news broke, the mother of the love child, Mildred Baena, maintained a very low profile before breaking her silence.

HOW MARIA SHRIVER FOUND OUT ABOUT ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER'S LOVE CHILD

When the news about Joseph broke, many fictitious stories started developing; thus, Mildred decided to set the record straight.

Additionally, as Joseph got older, he started to resemble his father, and talk about the father-son similarities began circulating publicly in the house.

In the beginning, Mildred had told Joseph who his father was, but Schwarzenegger was unaware, although the resemblances started raising questions to both Schwarzenegger and his wife.

Mildred said Shriver started sensing the tension and the whispers going around in the house about her son, and the journalist would ask Maria if there was anything she wanted to talk about.

Eventually, Shriver did not beat around the bush and asked Mildred who Joseph's father was. Mildred said she was shocked at how supportive her boss was as she was on her knees begging for forgiveness.

Midred said Shriver told her to get up and held her tight as she reassured her that the 13-year secret was not entirely Schwarzenegger's fault. She confessed:

“She was so strong. She cried with me and told me to get off my knees.”

The protagonist in this drama, Joseph, also got candid and recalled the day the news about his father went public.

Joseph was born in 1996 and told Men's Health he still vividly remembered the day the news of his mother's affair with Schwarzenegger flooded the media.

Joseph said he was in eighth grade and remembered being called out of class. His mother was waiting for him impatiently and grabbed his hand and said, "We gotta go—everyone is finding out about you and who your father is."

Joseph confessed that the news came at a time when he was facing many changes. As a teenager, his physical appearance and mind were transforming, "and now my life transformed before my eyes," he said.

Joseph also said he was nervous to ask his father for help when he first started training as a bodybuilder, so he used books instead.

Mildred sympathized with the former California governor and assured Shriver that her husband was also in pain and remorseful about what had happened. Mildred expressed that Schwarzenegger loved Shriver and hoped they would get through this.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER OPENED UP ABOUT HIS AFFAIR

Schwarzenegger, known for his role in the action film "Terminator," told LA Times about the news of his secret love child. The Terminator started to express his regret for his actions. In the statement, he apologized to his wife, children, and the entire family.

Schwarzenegger also wrote about how he understood the anger and disappointment of his family and friends. "There are no excuses, and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused, said the action film icon.

Schwarzenegger concluded his statement by acknowledging the public scrutiny he has received and is still yet to receive. Still, the actor also pleaded for his ex-wife and children to be given their privacy.

Shriver did not comment after her ex-husband's public apology, and Midred voluntarily retired from her job after 20 years of working for the Schwarzenegger family.

During this challenging time, Schwarzenegger did not shy away from the limelight; he continued to take on multiple movie roles and became a spokesperson for green energy.

Although she has taken a step back from the media, Shriver remains a respected journalist and anchor. The couple only finalized their divorce in 2021, after nine years of already living separated.

In the cover interview with Men's Health, Joseph opened up about his growing relationship with his father. He expressed that it took time to realize he did not have to follow in his father's footsteps.

Ironically, Joseph has done precisely that; he is a bodybuilder working on making it as an actor. Joseph also said he was nervous to ask his father for help when he first started training as a bodybuilder, so he used books instead.

However, eventually, Schwarzenegger helped his son, and the two got closer. Joseph even wished his father a happy birthday on Instagram with a picture of them bonding over coffee.