Arnold Schwarzenegger And Maria Shriver Are Separating

After 25 years of marriage, powerhouse couple Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced their separation on Monday night.

"After a great deal of thought, discussion, reflection and prayer, we came to this decision together," the former governor and first lady of California said in a joint statement. The surprising news come only four months after Schwarzenegger stepped down from his second term in office. The two plan to live apart while they "work on the future of [their] relationship." Shriver moved out of their Brentwood mansion a few weeks ago, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The couple married in 1986, nine years after they met at a charity tennis tournament. They have four children together, who range in age from 14 to 21. "We are continuing to parent our four children together," their statement read. "They are the light and the center of both of our lives. We consider this a private matter, and neither we nor any of our friends or family will have further comment."

Though Shriver is a firm Democrat and member of the Kennedy dynasty, she stood by Republican Schwarzenegger when he ran for office, campaigning by his side in 2003 and again in 2006. In February Schwarzenegger said that he was planning to return to acting, possibly even reprising the famous Terminator role that made him a household name. No word yet on if the couple has any plans to divorce. —KIMBERLY STEELE