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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Journalist

Maria Shriver

Maria Shriver is an American journalist, author, and public advocate best known for her work at NBC News and for serving as First Lady of California from 2003 to 2011.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Maria Shriver is an American journalist, author, and public advocate who served as First Lady of California from 2003 to 2011 and is best known for her work at NBC News.

What it is

Maria Owings Shriver was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, into the politically prominent Kennedy and Shriver families. She earned a B.A. in American Studies from Georgetown University in 1977 before building a career in television journalism.

Key details

Shriver worked at CBS News and joined NBC News in 1986, where she hosted *First Person with Maria Shriver* and reported for *Dateline*. She served as First Lady of California from 2003 to 2011, focusing on women's issues through initiatives like the Women's Conference and the Minerva Awards. She later founded the Women's Alzheimer's Movement and has authored books and produced documentaries.

Why it matters

Shriver's career spans journalism, public service, and advocacy, with a lasting impact on women's health and Alzheimer's awareness. Her work as a journalist and first lady has influenced public discourse on these issues.

In short

  • Maria Shriver is a journalist and former First Lady of California.
  • She worked at NBC News and hosted *First Person with Maria Shriver*.
  • She founded the Women's Alzheimer's Movement and advocates for women's health.
  • She was married to Arnold Schwarzenegger from 1986 to 2021.

Quick questions

Who is Maria Shriver?
Maria Shriver is an American journalist, author, and public advocate, and she served as First Lady of California from 2003 to 2011.
What is Maria Shriver known for in journalism?
She is known for her work at NBC News, including reporting for *Dateline* and hosting *First Person with Maria Shriver*.
When was Maria Shriver born?
She was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maria-Shriver
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, journalism career, Dateline, First Person, First Lady of California role
  2. Infoplease — https://www.infoplease.com/biographies/society-culture/maria-shriver
    Supports: Education, CBS News and NBC News career details, First Person, Dateline, Peabody Award mention
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Shriver
    Supports: Full name, family background, marriage and divorce, founder of The Women's Alzheimer's Movement
  4. JFK Hyannis Museum — https://jfkhyannismuseum.org/maria-shriver/
    Supports: Birth, Georgetown degree, journalism roles, First Lady of California, advocacy projects
  5. California State Library — https://governors.library.ca.gov/firstladies/35-Shriver.html
    Supports: First Lady of California dates, marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger, children