Maria Shriver's split from Arnold Schwarzenegger has left her "feeling down and confused".
The former TV anchorwoman - who filed for divorce from her husband earlier this year after it was revealed he had fathered a child with their housekeeper - admits even though she has struggled to cope with her problems, she realises how fortunate she is to have people sticking by her.
Speaking about a recent experience with a friend who has intellectual disabilities, she told People: "When I was going through my own challenges this year; feeling down and confused, I got an email from him. He wrote me a note saying, 'You're my best friend Maria and you will never be left out.' When the world is so complicated, the simple gift of friendship is within all of our hands. Thank you to everyone who came up to me this weekend and wished me well."
Maria - who has four children, Katherine, 21, Christina, 19, Patrick, 17, and 13-year-old Christopher - acknowledges the overwhelming support she has received after a year of difficulties.
Along with the impending divorce, Maria was also devastated in July when son Christopher was admitted to intensive care after a boogie boarding accident. He has since made a full recovery.
