Arnold Schwarzenegger reflects on ‘difficult’ Maria Shriver divorce

Arnold Schwarzenegger has made a sad confession about his marriage to Maria Shriver as he looks back on their 25-year union.

and Maria Shriver. Picture: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

Arnold Schwarzenegger blames himself for his “difficult” 2011 split from ex-wife Maria Shriver.

While comparing himself to his role in the new Netflix series FUBAR, the actor discussed whether his character Luke’s marriage failing due to infidelity was “deliberately autobiographical”.

“We were laughing about it – it feels like it’s a documentary,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver were married for 25 years before their split in 2011. Picture: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

“The difference is, in the show, he doesn’t consider it cheating because [seducing CIA assets] was part of his profession. His wife moved on because he never was home, and now he has this dilemma with the daughter because she has the same job and it’s going to screw up her relationship, too.”

Schwarzenegger added, “But in [my real-life marriage to Shriver], it was my f**k-up. It was my failure.”

Though the Terminator star said his character is “deep down still in love with his wife”, he denied missing being married in real life and gushed about his romance with girlfriend Heather Mulligan.

“[The divorce] was very, very difficult in the beginning,” the former bodybuilder explained. “Eventually, you move on. I have a wonderful girlfriend, [physical therapist] Heather Milligan, who is very successful. I’m really proud of her, and I love her.”

The couple only finalised their divorce in 2021, 10 years after Shriver initially filed. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

The couple with friends on their wedding day in 1986. Picture: Toby Zerna

While Shriver, 67, and Schwarzenegger, 75, ended their marriage 12 years ago, he said they have an amicable relationship and have done a great job raising their four kids: Katherine, 33, Christina, 31, Patrick, 29, and Christopher, 25.

“She and I are really good friends and very close, and we are very proud of the way we raised our kids. Even though we had this drama, we did Easter together, Mother’s Day together, the Christmases together, all birthdays – everything together.”

He continued, “If there’s Oscars for how to handle divorce, Maria and I should get it for having the least amount of impact on the kids. The sweetness and kindness you see in them, that’s from my wife. The discipline and work ethic is from me.”

Shriver kisses Schwarzenegger as they celebrated his victory as new Governor in California in 2003.

With three of their four children: Christina, Patrick and Katherine. Picture: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

The former first lady of California filed for divorce in July 2011 after the Commando actor admitted to fathering son Joseph Baena, 25, with their longtime housekeeper Mildred Patricia Baena. However, their divorce was not finalised until December 2021.

In February, Shriver reflected on the divorce, sharing that she was left “sobbing” after she sought advice from a convent’s reverend mother after their split.

“[She said], ‘You can’t come live here … but you do have permission to go out and become Maria.’”

The journalist said she recalled giving herself “permission to start learning” as she left the covenant.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission