Arnold Schwarzenegger Splits from Maria Shriver

Less than 24 hours after announcing his separation from wife Maria Shriver, Arnold Schwarzenegger was spotted chatting with and kissing a mystery female on the shoulder while in Brentwood, CA earlier today (May 10).

The former governor, who sported a blue blazer over his shoulder, looked to be worry free as he talked with the unknown blonde outside the Le Pain Quotidien bakery.

Meanwhile a joint statement was released yesterday (May 9) confirming his and Shriver's decision to split after 25 years of marriage.

"This has been a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us. 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."

They added, "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."

Arnold and Maria's highly-publicized 25-year courtship began after first meeting some 34 years ago when they were introduced by NBC newsman Tom Brokaw at the RFK Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament.

The couple wed in 1986 and have four children together: Katherine, 21, Christina, 19, Patrick, 17 and Christopher, 13.

Amidst the seemingly shocking news, sources close to the famous pair have revealed that their decision to part ways comes as no surprise at all.

In fact TMZ reports that Shriver left the couple's L.A. estate months ago, citing years of unhappy courtship which stemmed from complaints over her husband's out of control ego.

Due to Arnold's reported behavior and womanizing ways, the mother of four was left feeling under-appreciated, ignored, and, as one insider put it, "She's been a lost soul for a long time."

The final straw came after Schwarzenegger left office and decided to get back into acting career, in which his wife felt he had become even more erratic and unstable, forcing her to leave the situation.

©2011, GossipCenter.com. All Rights Reserved