Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, have separated after 25-years of marriage. 

Shriver has been residing apart from the actor-turned-politician for the last few weeks. The former first couple confirmed the separation in a joint statement released  to La Times on Monday.

“This has been a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us,” the statement read. “After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion and prayer, we came to this decision together. At this time, we are living apart while we work on the future of our relationship.

“We are continuing to parent our four children together. 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. We ask for compassion and respect from the media and the public.”

The couple met in 1977, when NBC’s Tom Brokaw introduced Shriver to Schwarzenegger at a charity tennis tournament.  Arnold, 63, and Maria, 55, married in 1986 and have four children together, Katherine, Christina, Patrick, and Christopher.