Maria Shriver

Maria Shriver is a journalist, author and former first lady of California known for her work in broadcast news and her ties to the Kennedy and Schwarzenegger families. Shriver is the daughter of Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, making her a member of the prominent Kennedy family. She was raised in a politically active household and graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart before enrolling at Georgetown University. She graduated in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in American studies. Her upbringing and education helped shape her interest in public service and broadcasting.

Shriver began her journalism career in the 1980s, working as a reporter and producer. She joined NBC News, where she became a familiar face as a Today and Dateline NBC correspondent. In 2009, she executive produced an episode of The Alzheimer’s Project, winning an Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking.

In addition to her television work, Shriver is a bestselling author of several books, including What’s Heaven? (1999) and Ten Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Went Out Into the Real World (2000). She also served as first lady of California from 2003 to 2011 during Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tenure as governor, focusing on initiatives related to women, families and Alzheimer’s disease awareness.

Shriver wed Arnold in 1986. The pair share four children: Katherine (born in 1989), Christina (born in 1991), Patrick (born in 1993) and Christopher (born in 1997). Shriver and Arnold separated in 2011 and finalized their divorce in 2021. She later moved on with Matthew Dowd.