On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported that former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted to Maria Shriver, his wife of 25 years, that he fathered a child with a long-time housekeeper who served in the couple’s home for over 20 years.
News of the former California governor’s affair has been flooding out since Monday, and along with it, questions of how much Schwarzenegger may have to pay in child support.
Schwarzenegger said in a statement that he told Shriver about the incident after leaving the governor’s office. Shriver has since separated from the former governor.
Schwarzenegger’s mistress, with whom he father a son around 14 years ago, worked in the family home as a housekeeper for over 20 years. She finally left this January. Sources said the mistress had been working at the couple’s mansion in Brentwood while she was pregnant with Schwarzenegger’s child. During that time, Shriver was pregnant with Schwarzenegger’s son. Shriver and Schwarzenegger have four children together.
During the time Schwarzenegger fathered his mistress’ son, he had been filming the movie “Collateral Damage.” That was one year prior to his entrance into politics. During Schwarzenegger’s campaign, allegations came forward that he had groped some women, and also rumors of a love child. Schwarzenegger denied those allegations in interviews.
According to sources, child support guidelines will be used to determine how much Schwarzenegger’s mistress is entitled to for the care of her child. Court may take into account Schwarzenegger’s lifestyle, but will mostly consider his income. Schwarzenegger’s mistress would be entitled to child support, health insurance, contribution to attorney’s fees, but not spousal support or any share of his property, unless there is some other type of agreement.
Sources said that since the child was fathered over a decade ago, it is likely there is some sort of agreement between Schwarzenegger and the child’s mother that she keep the matter quiet. The couple will, in all likelihood, attempt as much as possible to settle the matter out of court, out of the media eye.
Source: etonline.com, “How Much Money is Arnold’s Love Child Entitled To?,” 17 May 2011.