But Are the Kids All Right?

Maria Shriver issued her own statement following her husband’s acknowledgement of fathering a child with their long-term housekeeper.

“As a mother, my concern is for the children,” she said. “I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment.”

But she did comment, albeit indirectly.

During the taping of Oprah’s last two shows, Maria was one of the many stars to join Oprah on stage at the star-studded send-off.

“For more than 30 years you have bestowed upon me the most amazing friendship,” Shriver said to the Queen of TV in her tribute.  “You have shown love, support, wisdom, and most of all, the truth.”

Ah, the truth.  The truth will set you free.  And, now, Maria is free to begin life anew.

Her four children with Schwarzenegger, however, will have a half-brother for the rest of their lives.

The oldest Schwarzenegger, Katherine, 21, tweeted,  “This is definitely not easy, but I appreciate your love and support as I begin to heal and move forward in life. I will always love my family!”

Her brother, Patrick, 17, tweeted, “I love my family till death do us apart,” He has since changed his last name on his Twitter account to “Shriver.”

Meanwhile, the love child, now 13, lives with his mother and her three other children outside the Los Angeles area.  One can only wonder how he’s handling the brouhaha.  The press has disclosed where they live, and they are currently  camped outside their front door.  They haven’t shown a photograph of the teenager yet, but that’s only a matter of time.

© 2011 Susan Marg – All Rights Reserved