Few in Villaraigosa's inner circle would speak on the record about his marital woes. But at least one person who has helped guide some of the mayor's most important public policies said he had lost enthusiasm for him.
"You're not as motivated," said the friend. "You don't do the extra thing that you used to do before. Everybody is holding their breath to find out what's next."
Others who are close to Villaraigosa praised him for being willing to speak publicly about his failed marriage and for showing deference to his wife during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
"I have full faith and confidence in him as a friend, as a leader," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles). "My friendship is not going to change in any way, shape or form. I'm there for him 150%. He's a better man than most to have the decency to say, 'I have made mistakes.'
"People need to leave him alone and leave his family alone," Nunez added. "Those who want to judge him should not do so unless they have a perfect life themselves."
Nunez and others said they believe that Villaraigosa worked hard at his marriage, despite the strains of public life, observing a Latin American cultural norm that holds marriage sacred.
One of Villaraigosa's mentors, former Councilman Richard Alatorre, said the mayor is entitled to privacy even though he is perhaps Los Angeles' most visible figure.
"Divorce is not easy for anyone. It makes it even more difficult when you're a public servant," said Alatorre, who weathered his own divorce while in office. "There are rumors about what caused it and the like. I don't even want to begin to speculate. It's a personal decision that was made by both of them. To me, it's just a tragedy."
The Villaraigosas' marriage, long rumored to be in trouble, ended officially a week ago when the mayor issued a brief statement saying he and his wife were separating.
The news was largely overshadowed by the unfolding Paris Hilton jail saga. Villaraigosa called his Monday news conference to further explain himself and to head off reporters who might trail him with questions at his public appearances.
One day later, Corina Villaraigosa filed for divorce.
The mayor's aides insist that interest in the Villaraigosa split has fallen off precipitously in the days since the news conference. Only one television program mentioned the issue Thursday, according to a media-tracking system used by his office, suggesting that the worst may be over, one of his deputies said.
