Arnie: I still love my wife

Los Angeles - Movie megastar turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger says he and his wife Maria Shriver still love each other, and are taking "one day at a time" following their split announced this week.

"We both love each other very much," said Schwarzenegger, who announced the couple's separation after 25 years of marriage in a joint statement with Shriver on Monday, four months after standing down as California governor.

"We're very fortunate that we have extraordinary children. We're taking one day at a time," he added, in comments on Tuesday at a ceremony to receive an Israeli honour.

The Terminator star and Shriver - a member of the Kennedy political dynasty - told the Los Angeles Times on Monday that they were taking time to "work on the future" of their relationship.

Shriver moved out

The newspaper said 55-year-old Shriver, a daughter of the storied Kennedy clan, had moved out of the couple's mansion in the upscale Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

Austrian-born former bodybuilder Schwarzenegger, a liberal Republican, has started to return to show business since he stepped down as governor, with plans for a Governator comic book and animated TV show.

The couple, who married in 1977, have four children aged between 14 and 21.

Their marriage has come under the spotlight over the years, notably amid reports of his history of groping women during campaigning for the 2003 recall election which Schwarzenegger won, the LA Times reported.

Shriver, a former TV journalist, defended him at the time, and has stood by his side during his seven years at the helm of the Golden State, a term that ended when Jerry Brown succeeded him four months ago.