Arnold Schwarzenegger, who drug feet on gay marriage, admits to child out of wedlock
Tue. May 17, 2011 10:17 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
shriver and schwarzenegger in 2007.
photo credit // silvia cestari
Los Angeles -
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who vetoed two same-sex marriage bills before finally supporting the cause, has admitted that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff 10 years ago -- while still married to Maria Shriver.
The couple announced recently that they were going to get a divorce, but the revelations of the 10-year-old love child came on Monday night.
In 2005 and 2007, Schwarzenegger, who is Roman Catholic, vetoed same-sex marriage bills.
In 2008, California voters approved Prop. 8, which banned marriage among same-sex couples. That ban was challenged by two gay and lesbian couples, including Kristin Perry, who is the lead plaintiff in Perry vs. Schwarzenegger (so named because Schwarzenegger was the figurehead of the California government).
In spite of having his name square on the front of the lawsuit, Gov. Schwarzenegger had by this time come around to support gay marriage. He instructed his legal staff not to defend the law, on the grounds that it was unconstitutional.
Thus, a conservative group took up the defense, and whether or not they have "legal standing" to do so is part of the battle.
Schwarzenegger and Shriver married in 1986 and had four children together, including one born in 1997.
Schwarzenegger's love child was fathered by a so-far unnamed member of his household staff in 2000 or 2001. She was with the family for 20 years before retiring. Shriver apparently thought the baby was the woman's husband's child.
"I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time," said Schwarzenegger in a statement. "While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not. "
The couple announced recently that they were going to get a divorce, but the revelations of the 10-year-old love child came on Monday night.
In 2005 and 2007, Schwarzenegger, who is Roman Catholic, vetoed same-sex marriage bills.
In 2008, California voters approved Prop. 8, which banned marriage among same-sex couples. That ban was challenged by two gay and lesbian couples, including Kristin Perry, who is the lead plaintiff in Perry vs. Schwarzenegger (so named because Schwarzenegger was the figurehead of the California government).
In spite of having his name square on the front of the lawsuit, Gov. Schwarzenegger had by this time come around to support gay marriage. He instructed his legal staff not to defend the law, on the grounds that it was unconstitutional.
Thus, a conservative group took up the defense, and whether or not they have "legal standing" to do so is part of the battle.
Schwarzenegger and Shriver married in 1986 and had four children together, including one born in 1997.
Schwarzenegger's love child was fathered by a so-far unnamed member of his household staff in 2000 or 2001. She was with the family for 20 years before retiring. Shriver apparently thought the baby was the woman's husband's child.
"I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time," said Schwarzenegger in a statement. "While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not. "