Maria Shriver Reveals Why She Wants Her Kids to Avoid Divorce Despite Her Own Split from Arnold Schwarzenegger

Maria Shriver continues to believe in the power of marriage, despite her personal experience with divorce. In a candid conversation with Oprah Winfrey on The Oprah Podcast, the 69-year-old journalist, author, and former first lady of California opened up about her hopes for her children, particularly regarding the topic of divorce.

Speaking about her own split from ex-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shriver shared that she did not want her children to feel the emotional toll of a broken marriage. “I didn’t want my kids to have separate birthday parties,” Shriver said during the March 25 interview, reflecting on the challenges of their separation. “I didn’t want them to stress about when they were gonna get married, stress about when they would have a child. I didn’t want what happened between their dad and me to ruin their lives. It already causes a rupture in their life.”

Shriver and Schwarzenegger, who share four children—Katherine, 35, Christina, 33, Patrick, 31, and Christopher, 27—split after 25 years of marriage. The divorce came after Schwarzenegger admitted to fathering a child, Joseph Baena, with the family’s longtime housekeeper. The divorce was finalized in December 2021, after a decade of separation. However, despite the challenges, Shriver has emphasized that she and Schwarzenegger have remained on good terms over the years.

“I think Arnold and I have a great relationship now, and I think there will always be, a love there,” Shriver said. “He’s the father of my children. We’re grandparents together and I don’t wanna have hate. I don’t wanna have anger in my body towards another person. I don’t want that in my life at all.”

During the conversation, Shriver also expressed her hopes for her children’s futures, saying that she believes in the institution of marriage and hopes her kids will not experience divorce. “I wanted to model for them a new way forward. And I hope they don’t get divorced because I believe in marriage. But I want them to know that you can do it well. It takes time,” she said, underscoring her continued faith in the importance of lasting relationships.

As a grandmother, Shriver shared a lighthearted reflection on her new role. Her daughter, Katherine, is married to actor Chris Pratt, and together they have three children: Lyla Maria, 4, Eloise Christina, 2, and Ford Fitzgerald, born in November 2024. Shriver described the joy of being a grandmother, saying, “Well, you know, you have more time. They’re not living with you. You’re not in charge, which I’m told repeatedly. So I just play and have fun, and I wanna help my daughter.”

In addition to her family reflections, Shriver is preparing to release her new book I Am Maria, a collection of personal poems and intimate reflections on her life and career. Speaking about her writing, Shriver told PEOPLE, “It’s hard to pick out one favorite poem. I go back and read many of them and they move me in different ways.” She also spoke about the ups and downs of her life, saying, “Life is a roller coaster. It surprises you. It has surprised me. But it’s been my life and I’m glad to know that I’ve had the strength to land on my own two feet with my head high.”

As she reflects on her journey, Shriver’s message remains clear: while marriage is a complex and challenging institution, she still believes in its potential for success and is determined to model a positive path forward for her children and grandchildren.