History of Maria Menounos in Timeline

Maria Menounos is a multifaceted American television personality. She gained prominence hosting shows like Extra and E! News, and served as a correspondent for Today and Access Hollywood. Notably, she co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. Menounos is the co-creator and CEO of AfterBuzz TV, an online podcast network. Since 2013, she has been associated with WWE as an ambassador, occasionally participating in tag team matches. She hosted the podcast Conversations with Maria Menounos, and also co-hosted the Miss Universe 2023 pageant.

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Full Timeline

1954: Birth of Stavroula "Litsa" Kapernekas

In 1954, Stavroula "Litsa" (née Kapernekas), Maria Menounos' mother, was born.

June 8, 1978: Maria Menounos Born

On June 8, 1978, Maria Menounos was born. She is now known as an American television host, actress, and businesswoman.

1995: Began Competing in Beauty Pageants

In 1995, Maria Menounos began competing in beauty pageants.

1996: Graduated from Medford High School

In 1996, Maria Menounos graduated from Medford High School.

2000: First runner-up at Miss Massachusetts USA

In 2000, Maria Menounos competed for the title of Miss Massachusetts USA and was the first runner-up.

2000: Graduated from Emerson College

In 2000, Maria Menounos graduated from Emerson College.

January 2001: Reported on earthquakes in El Salvador for Channel One News

In January 2001, Maria Menounos traveled to El Salvador to report on the January 2001 earthquakes for Channel One News.

February 2001: Reported on earthquakes in El Salvador for Channel One News

In February 2001, Maria Menounos traveled to El Salvador to report on the February 2001 earthquakes for Channel One News.

2002: Hired as Correspondent for Entertainment Tonight

In 2002, Maria Menounos was hired as a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight, reporting on movies, music, and fashion.

2003: Appeared on Punk'd

On November 30, 2003, Maria Menounos appeared on an episode of Punk'd.

2004: Appeared in One on One

In 2004, Maria Menounos appeared in an episode of the UPN series One on One as Glenda.

2005: Joined Access Hollywood as Correspondent

In 2005, Maria Menounos left Entertainment Tonight to focus on her acting career and joined Access Hollywood as a correspondent that fall.

2005: Funded recovery and restoration of 'In the Land of Merry Misfits'

In 2005, Maria Menounos personally funded the recovery and restoration of her independent film 'In the Land of Merry Misfits'.

2005: Cyber Vixen of the Year

In 2005, Maria Menounos was named Spike TV's "Cyber Vixen of the Year".

2005: Acted in Fantastic Four and James Bond 007 video game

In the summer of 2005, Maria Menounos appeared in the comic book film Fantastic Four and her likeness and voice was featured in the 2005 Electronic Arts video game James Bond 007: From Russia with Love as Eva Adara.

May 2006: Appeared on Scrubs

In May 2006, Maria Menounos appeared on the Scrubs episode "My Extra Mile."

2006: Co-hosted Eurovision Song Contest

In 2006, Maria Menounos co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens, Greece.

2006: Co-hosted The Today Show

In the late summer and fall of 2006, Maria Menounos co-hosted a few episodes of the Today show.

April 2007: Co-hosted The Today Show

In April 2007, Maria Menounos co-hosted a few episodes of the Today show.

April 27, 2007: Starred in Kickin' It Old Skool

On April 27, 2007, Maria Menounos starred in Kickin' It Old Skool.

2007: Premiered 'In the Land of Merry Misfits' at Tribeca Film Festival

In 2007, Maria Menounos's film, 'In the Land of Merry Misfits' premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

May 2008: Played in AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Huntington Beach Open

In May 2008, Maria Menounos played in the AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Huntington Beach Open but was eliminated in the qualifying round.

July 13, 2008: Played in celebrity softball game

On July 13, 2008, Maria Menounos played in the celebrity softball game at Yankee Stadium in New York.

November 2008: Filled in as host for North Shore Animal League's Dogcatemy Celebrity Gala

In November 2008, Maria Menounos filled in as host for the North Shore Animal League's Dogcatemy Celebrity Gala.

2008: Hosted Hollywood Green, had role in Tropic Thunder, interviewed Obama family

In 2008, Maria Menounos became the host of Hollywood Green on the Planet Green network, had a role in the movie Tropic Thunder, and became the first journalist to interview the entire Obama family as a whole.

2008: Shared her involvement in charity work since age 13

In a 2008 NBC interview, Maria Menounos shared that she has been involved in charity work since age 13.

February 11, 2009: Appeared in Knight Rider

On February 11, 2009, Maria Menounos appeared on the 2008 Knight Rider series episode "Fly By Knight."

October 12, 2009: Guest Hosted WWE Raw and Made In-Ring Debut

On October 12, 2009, Maria Menounos joined Nancy O'Dell and guest hosted WWE Raw and made her in-ring debut in a six diva tag team match, winning the match for her team.

2009: Began WWE career

In 2009 Maria Menounos began her career with World Wrestling Entertainment/ WWE.

2009: Competed in tag team events in WWE

Since 2009, Maria Menounos has competed in some tag team events as a pro in WWE.

April 25, 2010: Presented at Earth Day Network's Climate Rally

On April 25, 2010, Maria Menounos presented at the Earth Day Network's Climate Rally in Washington, DC.

2010: Madden NFL Pro-AM MVP

In 2010, Maria Menounos was named the Madden NFL Pro-AM MVP.

August 4, 2011: Joined Extra as Co-Host

On August 4, 2011, Maria Menounos joined Warner Bros.'s Extra, where she co-hosted the show with Mario Lopez.

December 11, 2011: Returned to WWE Tribute to the Troops

On December 11, 2011, Maria Menounos returned to WWE at Tribute to the Troops and teamed with Alicia Fox, Eve Torres, and Kelly Kelly to defeat The Bella Twins and The Divas of Doom, pinning Beth Phoenix for the win.

April 1, 2012: Defeated Phoenix and Torres at WrestleMania XXVIII

On April 1, 2012, at WrestleMania XXVIII, Maria Menounos teamed with Kelly Kelly to defeat Beth Phoenix and Eve Torres, with Menounos pinning Phoenix for the win, despite suffering cracked ribs before the match.

May 15, 2012: Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars

On May 15, 2012, Maria Menounos and her partner Derek Hough were eliminated from the 14th season of Dancing with the Stars, placing fourth in the competition.

2012: Hosted various reunion specials of MTV's The Real World and The Challenge

From 2009 to 2012, Maria Menounos hosted various reunion specials of MTV's The Real World and The Challenge.

2012: Took part in Red Cross and AMC joint effort

In 2012 Maria Menounos took part in Red Cross's and AMC joint effort to raise awareness for donating blood.

2012: Posed nude for Allure magazine and revealed sexual abuse

In 2012, Maria Menounos posed nude for the May issue of Allure magazine and told Howard Stern that she had previously been sexually abused by two doctors during medical examinations.

April 6, 2013: Inducted Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall of Fame

On April 6, 2013, Maria Menounos inducted Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden.

May 2013: Began 'Conversations with Maria Menounos'

In May 2013, Maria Menounos began a new interview series called Conversations with Maria Menounos; Zoe Saldana was her first guest.

August 18, 2013: Teamed with Natalya at SummerSlam Axxess

On August 18, 2013, at SummerSlam Axxess, Maria Menounos teamed with Natalya, defeating Brie Bella and Eva Marie.

2013: Signed with WWE as ambassador

In 2013, Maria Menounos signed with WWE where she has served as an ambassador.

March 18, 2014: Premiered reality TV series Chasing Maria Menounos

On March 18, 2014, Maria Menounos' reality TV series Chasing Maria Menounos premiered on the Oxygen Network.

May 2014: Left Extra

In May 2014, after three years of hosting Extra, Maria Menounos left the show signing a multi-year contract with E! Entertainment to host and produce several programs.

August 17, 2014: Appeared at SummerSlam and Accepted ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

On August 17, 2014, Maria Menounos was seen at the SummerSlam pay-per-view and accepted Stephanie McMahon's challenge for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

2014: Hosted WWE Hall of Fame red carpet pre-show

In 2014, Maria Menounos began hosting the WWE Hall of Fame red carpet pre-show for six years in a row (2014-2019).

2014: Named CES Entertainment Matters Ambassador

In 2014, Maria Menounos was named the 2014 CES Entertainment Matters Ambassador for her work with AfterBuzzTV.

2014: Daytime Emmy Award

In 2014, the show Extra, which Maria Menounos co-hosts, won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment News Program.

July 2015: Became co-anchor of E! News

In July 2015, Maria Menounos replaced Giuliana Rancic as the co-anchor of E! News.

2015: Hosted SiriusXM radio show

In late 2015, Maria Menounos began hosting a daily, one-hour radio show on SiriusXM called Conversations with Maria on Stars 109.

2016: Appeared in WWE Network's Swerved and at SummerSlam

In 2016, Maria Menounos appeared in one episode of the WWE Network's Swerved and was a backstage interviewer for SummerSlam.

April 2017: Underwent surgery to remove a meningioma

In April 2017, Maria Menounos had surgery to remove a meningioma, which was benign.

July 2017: Stepped down from E! News due to brain tumor

In July 2017, Maria Menounos stepped down from her role at E! News due to an ongoing battle with a brain tumor.

2017: Married Keven Undergaro in Times Square

In 2017, Maria Menounos married Keven Undergaro in Times Square during the New Year's festivities.

January 28, 2018: Special guest ring announcer at Royal Rumble

On January 28, 2018, Maria Menounos was the special guest ring announcer for the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match at the Royal Rumble.

2018: Greek Orthodox Wedding in Akovos, Greece

In 2018, Maria Menounos and Keven Undergaro had a Greek Orthodox wedding in her father's village of Akovos, Greece.

2019: End of WWE Career

In 2019 Maria Menounos career with World Wrestling Entertainment/ WWE ended.

2019: Hosted WWE Hall of Fame red carpet pre-show

In 2019, Maria Menounos concluded her run of hosting the WWE Hall of Fame red carpet pre-show for six years in a row (2014-2019).

2020: Partnered with GSTV for short-form videos

In 2020, GSTV announced a partnership with Maria Menounos to air short-form videos called Better Together with Maria Menounos on GSTV-affiliated gas pump video screens.

June 2021: Hosted The Challenge: All Stars reunion

In June 2021, Maria Menounos co-hosted the reunion show for season one of The Challenge: All Stars.

December 2021: Hosted The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies reunion

In December 2021, Maria Menounos hosted the reunion show for the 37th season of the main series of The Challenge, titled The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies.