History of Maria Shriver in Timeline
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.
November 6, 1955: Maria Shriver Born
On November 6, 1955, Maria Owings Shriver was born. She is an American journalist, author, a member of the Shriver and Kennedy families, former First Lady of California, and founder of The Women's Alzheimer's Movement.
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.
1968: Moved to Chicago
In the summer of 1968, Maria Shriver's family moved temporarily to Chicago following Eunice Kennedy Shriver's work with the Special Olympics.
1970: Returned to Bethesda
In 1970, Maria Shriver returned permanently from France to Bethesda, Maryland.
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.
1973: Graduated from High School
In 1973, Maria Shriver graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart high school.
June 1977: Graduated from Georgetown University
In June 1977, Maria Shriver graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies.
April 26, 1986: Marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger
On April 26, 1986, Maria Shriver married Arnold Schwarzenegger in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
1987: Co-Anchored NBC News's Sunday Today
From 1987, Maria Shriver co-anchored NBC News's "Sunday Today".
1988: Summer Olympics Coverage
In 1988, Maria Shriver was co-anchor for NBC's Emmy-winning coverage of the Summer Olympics.
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".
1998: Received Peabody Award
In 1998, Maria Shriver received a Peabody Award for her reporting at NBC.
2000: Published '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", in which she describes becoming passionate about broadcast journalism.
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.
October 2004: Hybrid rose named after Maria Shriver
In October 2004, a hybrid rose named "Maria Shriver rose" with starchy-white blooms and a powerful citrus fragrance was created in her honor.
2004: Attended Democratic and Republican National Conventions
In 2004, Maria Shriver attended both the Democratic National Convention to watch her uncle Ted Kennedy speak, and the Republican National Convention to watch her husband speak.
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".
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.
January 31, 2008: Schwarzenegger's Endorsement of John McCain
On January 31, 2008, Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed Senator John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination, a few days before Maria Shriver endorsed Barack Obama.
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.
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.
2009: Shinnyo-en Foundation's Pathfinders to Peace Award
In 2009, Maria Shriver was honored with the Shinnyo-en Foundation's 2009 Pathfinders to Peace Award for exemplifying compassion, harmony, and peace.
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.
May 9, 2011: Schwarzenegger and Shriver announce separation
On May 9, 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced their separation after 25 years of marriage. Shriver moved out of their Brentwood mansion.
May 13, 2011: Shriver posts message to Twitter followers
On May 13, 2011, following her separation announcement, Maria Shriver posted a message for her Twitter followers expressing gratitude for their kindness and support.
May 17, 2011: Schwarzenegger admits to fathering a child with staff member
On May 17, 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly admitted to fathering Joseph Baena with a household staff member. He confessed to Maria Shriver only after she confronted him.
July 1, 2011: Shriver files for divorce
On July 1, 2011, Maria Shriver filed for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger, citing "irreconcilable differences."
2011: Divorce Filed
In 2011, Maria Shriver filed for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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.
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, were co-executive producers of "Take Your Pills", an hour-long documentary on psychostimulant medications.
2018: Published 'I've Been Thinking...: Reflections Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life'
In 2018, Maria Shriver published "I've Been Thinking...: Reflections Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life", which became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller.
January 2019: Released 'I've Been Thinking...The Journal'
In January 2019, Maria Shriver released "I've Been Thinking...The Journal: Reflections, Prayers and Inspirations for Your Meaningful Life", a companion journal to her previous book.
December 2021: Divorce finalized
In December 2021, the divorce between Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger was finalized after various legal disputes.
2021: Divorce Finalized
In 2021, Maria Shriver's divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger was finalized.
Mentioned in this timeline
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