Arnold and Shriver split privacy in script

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver have spent a lifetime and their entire marriage in the public eye, but the joint announcement of their separation rather than a race.

The former bodybuilder turned star and the television journalist everyone entered their marriage 25 years ago with separate fortunes and legacies.The script for whether how they end that union largely depends on decisions.They've  made.The pair's children, millions of dollars, memorabilia  from each of their on-camera careers and gets quickly trashed in a high-profile, public divorce.

"After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion, and prayer, we came to this decision together," the statement said.

His first public comments since the announcement On Tuesday night, Arnold thanked friends and family for an outpouring of support. "We both love each other very much," Schwarzenegger said at a Los Angeles event marking Israeli independence. "We are taking one day at a time."The couple's union had at times a storybook feel and the couple often waxed publicly about their love for one another, although there have been situations that would strain any marriage.

Since his term as California governor ended in early January, Schwarzenegger has hopscotched around the world, his wife nowhere in sight. Shriver posted three Twitter updates on April 26, their 25th wedding anniversary, without mentioning the milestone.Maria appears without a wedding ring in videos posted recently on YouTube and talks about stress in her life, the weight of expectations and the search for faith in a troubled world.

I think the pair are contemplating a divorce, then chances are both have already consulted with attorneys.

Monday's statement may be the first move in a playbook developed by high-profile couples hoping to avoid their breakups being dragged through the courts and tabloids, said Los Angeles-based family law attorney Steve Mindel.

 Shriver are not strangers to public disclosure.Economic disclosure forms filed when Schwarzenegger left as California governor in January show he has interests in at least eight entities worth $1 million or more. An exact tally of his wealth is impossible to calculate, although the forms show the "Terminator" star still retains rights to intellectual property from his days as a fitness guru and movie star.Shriver's holdings are more modest but are listed in the disclosure as being worth more than $1 million. She is a member of the Kennedy family and is a beneficiary of some of its assets.

"I hope that  their emotions in check and tries to go through the divorce recognizing they have many children, many friends, many admirers throughout the world and they keep the divorce as private as possible,".