Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced they have separated after 25 years of marriage. INSIDE EDITION has the scoop.
Arnold Schwarzenegger went on a bike ride without his wedding ring just hours before the shocking announcement that his 25-year marriage to Maria Shriver has been terminated.
The power couple released this joint statement:
"At this time, we are living apart, while we work on the future of our relationship."
Surprisingly, it was Maria Shriver who packed up and moved out of the couple's enormous mansion in Brentwood, California while Schwarzenegger remains behind. The youngest two of their four children are also still living at the family compound with their dad.
Divorce attorney Debra Opri told INSIDE EDITION, "I think it was her move to say to Arnold, 'This is it. I've had enough,' and that step was moving out."
Shriver is now said to be living in a posh Beverly Hills hotel. But the estranged couple remain on speaking terms.
Three days ago they attended Shriver's nephew's graduation from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The next day they were photographed leaving in separate cars after a Mother's Day brunch with their children at the Ivy by the Shore in Santa Monica.
Later, Shriver posted a video on Twitter which revealed her wedding ring was nowhere in sight.
"On Mother's Day, I love that my four kids give me Mother's Day cards, but I really think a lot about my mom," said Shriver in the video.
The split comes on the heels of a painful period in Shriver's life. She looked grief-stricken at the funeral of her father, Sargeant Shriver, in January. Her mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver died in 2009 and her beloved uncle Teddy lost his battle with brain cancer just two weeks later.
A glum Shriver posted a cryptic YouTube video blog in March talking transitions, and it's now clear she was also talking about her own marriage falling apart.
In the video, Shriver said, "It's so stressful to not know what you're doing next. How did you find your transition? Personal, professional, emotional, spiritual, financial...how did you get through it?"
Schwarzenegger also brought an end to a major chapter of his life in January, leaving office after seven years as California Governor.
Schwarzenegger was the first to admit that without Shriver's help, he would never have been elected.
"I know I would not have won without your help," said Schwarzenegger from his victory podium.
Shriver rushed to her husband's defense during his campaign in 2003 when several women claimed he groped them, saying, "You can listen to people who have never met Arnold, or who met him for five seconds thirty years ago, or you can listen to me."
In recent years Shriver has reportedly found her husband "impossible to live with." One issue was said to be his "out of control ego."
After secretly living apart for months the separation was outted by the Los Angeles Times when reporters asked for a comment about the status of their marriage. Now the nation is reeling from the news of the breakup.
Matt Lauer said on the Today show, "News of what I think is a sad split. We've known Maria for a very long time and our thoughts are with her and Arnold and we hope it all works out for the best."
Dancing with the Stars cast member Kirstie Alley is hoping that this isn't the end for one of the country's most famous power couples
"My vote is I hope that they work things out and stay together," said Alley.
