Maria Shriver 'could make $15m from memoir'

Maria Shriver could potentially make a fortune from her divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The former journalist, who filed for divorce from Terminator star Schwarzenegger about two weeks ago after he fathered a love child with a member of his staff, has reportedly been approached by various publishing companies to write a tell-all memoir about her 25-year marriage to the actor.

According to Perez Hilton, Shriver could make as much as $15 million (£9.3 million) just on the advance for the book.

It is believed that the couple had no prenuptial agreement, meaning that Schwarzenegger's movie earnings will most likely be divided with his estranged wife.The pair have four children, and Shriver is said to be seeking joint custody of their two teenage sons, aged 13 and 17.

Divorce proceedings are expected to be handled privately, and though Shriver is seeking spousal support, the amount will be determined later, through a settlement or by a judge.

After Schwarzenegger's cheating scandal first surfaced, he said: "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologised to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."

A friend of Shriver recently praised her "courage" for refusing to shy away from the scandal, adding: "[She] refuses to hide because of what some jerk did to her."