Peter Cook Publicly Apologizes to Christie Brinkley

In a last ditch effort to save his marriage, architect Peter Cook has publicly apologized to his wife, Christie Brinkley. His statement was the first time Cook spoke out since his affair with teenager Diana Bianchi was made public.

The Associated Press wire service spread the story that was originally given to the New York Post. In it, Peter Cook confesses "This is an aberration. I'm sorry. I'm contrite. I'm stupid. Foolish. No excuse." Cook went on to say "I love my wife. … For a lifetime I've tried to prove how much I love her."

Cook's statement made it to The New York Post via his lawyer, Norman Sheresky. ABC News quoted Sheresky as saying "He got involved, in over his head somehow, and he wants to make it up to her for the rest of his life." Sheresky said that Peter Cook is a "man who loves his wife and who loves his children."

As for divorce proceedings, People asked Sheresky what the status of any proceedings were. "There is no divorce proceeding that is proceeding. Christie Brinkley has not sued her husband." Cook went on to elaborate that he personally "hopes there's no divorce. If she wants one - and he certainly hopes this doesn't happen, but if - it will not be nasty. She can have whatever she wants."

Cook's public apology adds to the amount of publicity the couple's troubled marriage is already receiving. At first, it was announced that the couple was simply splitting up, though no reason was given. Once the word of Cook's affair with Diana Bianchi made it to headlines, the couple's private life became very public. Christie Brinkley seems aware of this, as CBS News quoted her publicist, Elliot Mintz, as saying " This is not the way for people to have a discourse or a discussion about private matters."

Cook also went on to address recent rumors that his relationship with Diana Bianchi may not have been entirely consensual. ABC News carried the quote from Peter Cook, which read "The idea that the other person involved didn't knowingly consent to this relationship is garbage. I took no advantage."

As for Christie Brinkley, People recalls her rocky marriages on the way to this rocky marriage. " Brinkley, 52, was previously married to artist Jean-François Allaux (1973-81), singer Billy Joel (1985-94) and developer Richard Taubman (1994-95). She and Joel have a 20-year-old daughter, Alexa, and she and Taubman have an 11-year-old son, Jack, whom Cook adopted after he and Brinkley wed in 1996."

[Additional Sources: People, ABC News, CBS News, New York Post]