Former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy says his cousin Maria Shriver is "terrific" and her kids are doing well following news that their father, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, had fathered a child with one of their household staff members 10 years ago.
Shriver announced last week she had separated from Schwarzenegger after 25 years of marriage.
Patrick Kennedy was in Manhattan Tuesday for an appearance at Fox News to talk about neuroscience and the launch of an initiative called One Mind for research to improve funding in brain science.
Outside the building, Kennedy said he had been in touch with his cousin to lend his support. "I talked to Maria. She's terrific. I love her to death and you know it's all family. Everybody cares about family and their ability to make it for their kids,” he said.
Schwarzenegger's admission to fathering a child with a household staff member resulted in his separation from Shriver, 55, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. "After leaving the governor's office, I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in a statement.
Patrick Kennedy said Schwarzenegger and Shriver's four children are "wonderful credits to their parents."
Kennedy also indicated the family was hoping for privacy. "It's not anything that should be really public because it's not public, it's private. By nature they are public officials," he said.
