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 American journalist, author, and a member of both the Shriver and Kennedy families. She served as the former First Lady of California during her marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Beyond her media and political affiliations, Shriver is the founder of The Women's Alzheimer's Movement, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and funding research for Alzheimer's prevention and treatment, particularly in women. Shriver and Schwarzenegger divorced in 2021.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1968: Mother founded Special Olympics

In 1968, Maria Shriver's mother founded the Special Olympics, an organization for which Shriver has been a lifelong advocate.

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 Co-anchoring The CBS Morning News

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

1986: Joined NBC News

In 1986, Maria Shriver joined NBC News after a brief period anchoring the CBS Morning News.

1987: Co-anchored NBC News's Sunday Today

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

1988: Co-anchored Emmy-winning coverage of the Summer Olympics

In 1988, Maria Shriver co-anchored NBC's Emmy-winning coverage of the Summer Olympics.

1989: Saturday Anchor of NBC Nightly News

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

1990: End of Co-anchoring NBC News's Sunday Today

Until 1990, Maria Shriver co-anchored NBC News's Sunday Today.

1992: Contributing Anchor on Dateline NBC

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

1996: Contributing Anchor of NBC Nightly News

From 1996 to 1999, Maria Shriver was a contributing anchor of NBC Nightly News.

1998: Co-anchor on Today

In 1998 Maria Shriver worked as a co-anchor on Today.

1999: End of Contributing Anchor role at NBC Nightly News

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

August 2003: Took Unpaid 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.

November 17, 2003: Became First Lady of California

Following her husband's inauguration on November 17, 2003, Maria Shriver became the First Lady of California. After this, she returned to reporting, making two more appearances for Dateline NBC.

2003: Began Leading the California Governor & First Lady's Conference on Women

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.

February 3, 2004: Asked to be Relieved of Duties at NBC News

On February 3, 2004, Maria Shriver asked to be "relieved of [her] duties at NBC News" due to conflict of interest concerns regarding her role as First Lady of California.

2004: Created The Minerva Awards

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

2004: Left NBC News

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

2004: End of Contributing Anchor role at Dateline NBC

Maria Shriver's role as contributing anchor of Dateline NBC ended in 2004.

2004: Chairing California School Garden Network

Since 2004, Maria Shriver chairs the California School Garden Network, which has doubled the number of gardens in state schools from 3,000 to 6,000.

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: Creation of California Hall of Fame

In 2006, Maria Shriver created the California Hall of Fame at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts to honor legendary Californians.

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 to help students learn California history.

May 2009: Planting of Edible Garden

In May 2009, Maria Shriver planted the first edible garden at a state capitol, partnering with Alice Waters. The food grown is distributed to local food banks.

June 2009: Expansion of WE Invest Program

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

October 2009: Launched "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything"

In October 2009, Maria Shriver launched "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything", a national study and comprehensive report in partnership with various 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 to provide meals to California families in need.

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, providing vital programs and free support services.

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

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

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 the Anchor Desk on Today

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

2013: Returned to NBC News as Special Anchor

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.