Maria Owings Shriver is an accomplished American journalist, author, and prominent member of the Kennedy family. Notably, she served as the First Lady of California during her marriage to former Governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Shriver is also recognized for her philanthropic work, particularly as the founder of The Women's Alzheimer's Movement, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and support for Alzheimer's disease, especially among women. Her marriage to Schwarzenegger ended in divorce in 2021 after a highly publicized separation in 2011.
November 6, 1955: Birth of Maria Shriver
Maria Owings Shriver was born on November 6, 1955.
1968: Move to Chicago
In 1968, Maria Shriver's family temporarily moved to Chicago due to her mother's work with the Special Olympics.
1968: Founding of Special Olympics
Maria Shriver's mother founded the Special Olympics in 1968.
1970: Return to Bethesda
In 1970, Maria Shriver permanently returned from France to Bethesda, Maryland.
1972: Volunteering for Father's Campaign
Maria Shriver volunteered for her father's 1972 U.S. vice presidential race, which sparked her passion for broadcast journalism.
1973: Graduation from Stone Ridge School
Maria Shriver graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart high school in 1973.
June 1977: Graduation from Georgetown University
Maria Shriver graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies from Georgetown University in June 1977.
1986: Joining NBC News
Maria Shriver joined NBC News in 1986.
1987: Co-anchoring Sunday Today
Maria Shriver began co-anchoring NBC News's Sunday Today in 1987.
1988: Emmy-Winning Olympics Coverage
Maria Shriver was co-anchor for NBC's Emmy-winning coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympics.
1992: Contributing Anchor on Dateline NBC
Maria Shriver became a contributing anchor on Dateline NBC in 1992.
1993: Appearance in Last Action Hero
Maria Shriver appeared as herself in the film Last Action Hero in 1993.
1998: Peabody Award
Maria Shriver received a Peabody Award in 1998 for her reporting at NBC.
2000: Publication of "Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out Into The Real World"
In 2000, Maria Shriver published her book "Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out Into The Real World."
August 2003: Leave of Absence from NBC News
Maria Shriver took an unpaid leave of absence from NBC News in August 2003 when her husband became a candidate in the California gubernatorial recall election.
November 17, 2003: Becoming First Lady of California
Maria Shriver became the First Lady of California following her husband's inauguration as the 38th Governor of California on November 17, 2003.
2003: Father's Alzheimer's Diagnosis
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 research.
2003: Begins Leading California Governor & First Lady's Conference on Women
Maria Shriver began leading the California Governor & First Lady's Conference on Women when Arnold Schwarzenegger took office in 2003.
February 3, 2004: Resignation from NBC News
On February 3, 2004, Maria Shriver resigned from her duties at NBC News, citing concerns over the conflict of interest between her role as a journalist and her status as the First Lady of California.
October 2004: Maria Shriver Rose
In October 2004, a hybrid rose was named after Maria Shriver. The Maria Shriver rose contains starchy-white blooms and a powerful citrus fragrance.
2004: Attendance at Democratic and Republican National Conventions
In 2004, Maria Shriver was in attendance at both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention. She attended the Democratic convention to watch her uncle Ted Kennedy speak, and the Republican convention to watch her husband speak.
2004: End of Contributing Anchor Role on Dateline NBC
Maria Shriver stopped being a contributing anchor on Dateline NBC in 2004.
2004: Leaving NBC News
Maria Shriver left NBC News in 2004 to focus on her role as First Lady of California.
2004: Creation of The Minerva Awards
In 2004, Maria Shriver created The Minerva Awards to honor and reward "remarkable California women" who have changed their communities, their state, their country and the world.
2006: Appearance on That's So Raven
Maria Shriver played a minor role as herself in a 2006 episode of the television series That's So Raven.
March 23, 2007: Guest Host on Larry King Live
On March 23, 2007, Maria Shriver returned to television news as a substitute host on CNN's Larry King Live.
January 21, 2008: American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver
On January 21, 2008, the documentary "American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver", executive-produced by Maria Shriver, aired on PBS. The film chronicled the life, accomplishments, and vision of her father, Sargent Shriver.
February 2008: Launch of Lovin' Scoopful
In February 2008, Maria Shriver launched an ice cream company called Lovin' Scoopful with her brother, Tim Shriver, with proceeds benefiting the Special Olympics.
May 2009: Premiere of The Alzheimer's Project
The Alzheimer's Project, a four-part documentary series executive produced by Maria Shriver, premiered on HBO in May 2009.
October 2009: Launch of "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 conducted in partnership with the Center for American Progress, USC's Annenberg Center on Communication, Leadership and Policy, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
2009: Shinnyo-en Foundation's Pathfinders to Peace Award
In 2009, Maria Shriver was honored with the Shinnyo-en Foundation's Pathfinders to Peace Award, which is bestowed annually to a person who exemplifies the ideals of compassion, harmony, and peace.
2010: The Women's Conference Attracts Over 30,000 Attendees
In 2010, The Women's Conference event, under Maria Shriver's leadership, grew into the nation's premier forum for women and attracted more than 30,000 attendees and 150 world opinion leaders over three full days.
2010: Publication of 'The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's'
In 2010, "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's" was published. It is a study by Maria Shriver and the Alzheimer's Association.
2011: Divorce Filing
In 2011, Maria Shriver filed for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
2013: Release of 'The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything'
In 2013, "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything" was released in partnership with TIME and NBC News. The report revealed that American women, for the first time, make up half of the United States workforce and studied how that fact is impacting major institutions.
2013: Return to NBC News
Maria Shriver returned to NBC News in 2013 as a special anchor.
2014: Publication of 'The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink'
In 2014, "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink" was published. The report focuses on women and their children in poverty.
2016: Publication of "Color Your Mind"
Maria Shriver published the coloring book "Color Your Mind" for people with Alzheimer's in 2016.
2017: Alzheimer's Association Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2017, the Alzheimer's Association awarded Maria Shriver with its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award.
2018: Co-executive Producer of 'Take Your Pills'
In 2018, Maria Shriver and her daughter, Christina Schwarzenegger, co-executive produced "Take Your Pills," an hour-long documentary on psychostimulant medications.
2018: Publication of 'I've Been Thinking...'
In 2018, Maria Shriver published "I've Been Thinking...: Reflections Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life," which became an instant No. 1 New York Times bestseller.
January 2019: Release of 'I've Been Thinking...The Journal'
In January 2019, Maria Shriver released a companion journal, "I've Been Thinking...The Journal: Reflections, Prayers and Inspirations for Your Meaningful Life."
2021: Divorce Finalization
Maria Shriver's divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger was finalized in 2021.