Career Timeline of Maria Shriver: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Maria Shriver, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Maria Shriver is an accomplished American journalist, author, and prominent member of both the Shriver and Kennedy families. She served as the former First Lady of California during her marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom she divorced in 2021. Beyond her media career and political associations, Shriver is recognized for founding The Women's Alzheimer's Movement, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding for research on Alzheimer's disease, particularly its impact on women.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1968: Mother Founded Special Olympics

In 1968, Maria Shriver's mother founded the Special Olympics. Shriver is currently a member of the International Board of Special Olympics.

1972: Volunteered for Father's Campaign

In 1972, Maria Shriver volunteered for her father's U.S. vice presidential race and discovered her passion for broadcast journalism.

August 1985: Co-Anchored The CBS Morning News

From August 1985, Maria Shriver co-anchored "The CBS Morning News" with Forrest Sawyer.

August 1986: End of CBS Morning News Anchor Role

In August 1986, Maria Shriver's role as co-anchor of "The CBS Morning News" ended.

1986: Joined NBC News

In 1986, Maria Shriver joined NBC News after working at CBS. She anchored weekend editions of the Today show and the NBC Nightly News and became a correspondent for Dateline NBC, also covering politics.

1987: Co-Anchored NBC News's Sunday Today

From 1987, Maria Shriver co-anchored NBC News's "Sunday Today".

1989: Saturday Anchor of NBC Nightly News

In 1989, Maria Shriver served as Saturday anchor of NBC Nightly News.

1990: End of NBC News's Sunday Today Anchor Role

In 1990, Maria Shriver's role as co-anchor of NBC News's "Sunday Today" ended.

1992: Contributing anchor on Dateline NBC

From 1992, Maria Shriver was a contributing anchor on Dateline NBC.

1993: Appeared in Last Action Hero

In 1993, Maria Shriver appeared as herself in the film "Last Action Hero".

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1996: Contributing anchor on NBC Nightly News

From 1996, Maria Shriver was a contributing anchor on NBC Nightly News.

1999: End of NBC Nightly News Contributing Anchor Role

In 1999, Maria Shriver's role as contributing anchor of NBC Nightly News ended.

November 17, 2003: Became First Lady of California

On November 17, 2003, Maria Shriver became the First Lady of California, following her husband's inauguration as the 38th Governor of California. She later returned to reporting, making two more appearances for Dateline NBC.

2003: Began Leading California Women's Conference

In 2003, Maria Shriver began leading the California Governor & First Lady's Conference on Women after Arnold Schwarzenegger took office.

2003: Father diagnosed with Alzheimer's

In 2003, Maria Shriver's father, Sargent Shriver, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, leading her to become an advocate and fundraiser for Alzheimer's patient care and biomedical research.

2003: Took Leave from NBC News

In August 2003, Maria Shriver took an unpaid leave of absence from NBC News when her husband became a candidate in the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election.

February 3, 2004: Relieved of Duties at NBC News

On February 3, 2004, Maria Shriver asked to be relieved of her duties at NBC News due to potential conflicts of interest arising from her role as First Lady of California.

2004: Created The Minerva Awards

In 2004, Maria Shriver created The Minerva Awards to honor and reward "remarkable California women".

2004: Left NBC News

In 2004, Maria Shriver left NBC News to focus on her role as First Lady of California.

2005: Launched WE Connect Program

In 2005, Maria Shriver launched her WE Connect Program, which connects working families in need with money-saving programs and support services.

2006: Appeared in That's So Raven

In 2006, Maria Shriver played a minor role as herself in "Be Prepared", an episode of the television series "That's So Raven", promoting a "Preparedness Plan".

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March 23, 2007: Substitute Host on Larry King Live

On March 23, 2007, Maria Shriver returned to television news as a substitute host on CNN's panel-discussion talk show "Larry King Live".

January 21, 2008: American Idealist Aired on PBS

On January 21, 2008, the documentary "American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver", executive-produced by Maria Shriver, originally aired on PBS. The film chronicled the life, accomplishments, and vision of her father, Sargent Shriver.

February 3, 2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama for President

On February 3, 2008, Maria Shriver endorsed Senator Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination at a UCLA rally.

February 2008: Launched Lovin' Scoopful Ice Cream Company

In February 2008, Maria Shriver launched an ice cream company called "Lovin' Scoopful" with her brother, Tim Shriver, with 25% of the proceeds benefiting the Special Olympics.

November 2008: Launch of California Legacy Trails

In November 2008, Maria Shriver launched the California Legacy Trails, a web-based multimedia learning tool designed to help students learn California history.

May 2009: The Alzheimer's Project Premiered on HBO

In May 2009, "The Alzheimer's Project", a four-part documentary series executive produced by Maria Shriver, premiered on HBO.

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May 2009: Planting of first edible garden at a state capitol

In May 2009, Maria Shriver planted the first edible garden at a state capitol in what once was a flower bed, teaming up with Alice Waters on the project.

June 2009: Expansion of WE Invest nationally through Kiva partnership

In June 2009, Maria Shriver expanded her WE Invest program nationally through a partnership with Kiva, creating the first online peer-to-peer microlending program in the U.S.

October 2009: Launched The Shriver Report

In October 2009, Maria Shriver launched "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything", a national study and comprehensive report in partnership with several organizations.

December 2009: Created WE Connect Million Meals Initiative

In December 2009, Maria Shriver, in partnership with The Women's Conference, created the WE Connect–Million Meals Initiative.

March 2010: Held Community Resources Fair

In March 2010, Maria Shriver held a three-day Community Resources Fair in Fresno and Los Angeles through WE Connect.

2010: The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's Published

In 2010, "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's", a study by Maria Shriver and the Alzheimer's Association, was published. It features writings by public figures.

2010: Women's Conference Attendance

In 2010, The Women's Conference, led by Maria Shriver, attracted more than 30,000 attendees and 150 world opinion leaders.

April 30, 2013: Return to NBC as Special Anchor

On April 30, 2013, NBC announced that Maria Shriver would rejoin the network as a special anchor, focusing on issues surrounding the shifting roles of women in American life.

October 18, 2013: Return to Today Show anchor desk

On October 18, 2013, Maria Shriver returned to the anchor desk on Today, filling in for Savannah Guthrie, for the first time since 1998.

2013: The Shriver Report Release

In 2013, "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything" was released in partnership with TIME and NBC News.

2013: Returned to NBC News

In 2013, Maria Shriver returned to NBC News as a special anchor.

2014: Published The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink

In 2014, Maria Shriver published "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink", a report about women and their children in poverty.

2016: Published Color Your Mind

In 2016, Maria Shriver published "Color Your Mind", a coloring book for people with Alzheimer's.

2018: Co-Executive Producer of Take Your Pills

In 2018, Maria Shriver and her daughter, Christina Schwarzenegger, were co-executive producers of "Take Your Pills", an hour-long documentary on psychostimulant medications.

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