Share

Maria Shriver biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

Best Known For

Maria Shriver married Arnold Schwarzenegger and is the first lady of California. She is part of the Kennedy family and was an NBC journalist for many years.

Quiz

Think you know about Biography?

Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.

Play Now

Synopsis

Maria Shriver was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. She is the niece of John F. Kennedy. She started as a news writer and producer at a Philadelphia TV station. She joined NBC in 1986 as a correspondent. She resigned in 2003 when her husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger, became the Governor of California. She is an advocate for several causes including playgrounds in lower income neighborhoods.

Early Career

Journalist, first lady. Born Maria Owings Shriver on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. Shriver is the daughter of prominent politican and diplomat Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of John F. and Robert Kennedy. She graduated from Georgetown University in June 1977 with a B.A. in American studies and began her career as a newswriter and producer for Philadelphia's KYW-TV later that year. In 1978, she started work at Baltimore's WJZ-TV, where she wrote and produced the Baltimore-based show Evening Magazine. In September 1983, Shriver began reporting for CBS News and soon won a spot as co-anchor of the CBS Morning News.

In 1986, she joined NBC News as a correspondent for the news show 1986 and an anchor for Main Street, a news magazine aimed at young people. From 1987 to 1990, she served as a co-anchor on NBC's Sunday Today. In 1990, she began hosting a series of news specials entitled First Person with Maria Shriver. Since then she has conducted numerous notable interviews including spots with Fidel Castro, Ted Turner, Magic Johnson, and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.


First Lady of California

Shriver was a reporter for NBC's Dateline NBC from 1989 until August of 2003, when she took a leave of absence when her husband, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, became a candidate in the California recall election. Upon his inauguration as the 38th Governor of California on November 17, 2003, Shriver became the First Lady of California. A few months later, she resigned from NBC citing a conflict of interest between her role as a journalist and her status as First Lady.

As first lady of California, Shriver has served as an advocate for many social causes. She helped develop and launch a special website to match volunteers with organizations needing assistance. Shriver has supported the construction of playgrounds and community gardens in lower income areas.

Charity Involvement

Shriver serves on the boards of numerous charitiable organizations, including Best Buddies, which pairs mentors with people with intellectual disabilities. Another cause close to her heart is the Special Olympics, which was established by her mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968.

Serving as executive producer, Shriver helped bring the documentary The Alzheimer's Project to television in May 2009. The four-part program provided an in-depth look at this devastating brain disorder.

ADVERTISEMENT
9542642 9542642
profile id: 9542642
profile name: Maria Shriver
profile occupation:
related profile id: 9542642
related profile name: Maria Shriver
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/S/Maria-Shriver-9542642-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/maria-shriver-9542642
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!