Maria Shriver
Maria Shriver is an Emmy Award-winning American journalist, bestselling author, and influential advocate who has built an extraordinary legacy far beyond her famous Kennedy family name. Born on November 6, 1955, she’s the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and niece of President John F. Kennedy. Maria spent 18 years at NBC News delivering groundbreaking journalism before serving as California’s First Lady during her marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Following their 2011 separation after his infidelity scandal, she reinvented herself as a passionate Alzheimer’s advocate, founding The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement. Now 69, Maria continues inspiring millions through her writing, activism, and unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment and health advocacy.
Quick Bio: Maria Shriver at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Maria Owings Shriver |
| Birth Date | November 6, 1955 |
| Maria Shriver Age | 69 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | 130 lbs (59 kg) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Education | Georgetown University, BA in American Studies (1977) |
| High School | Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (graduated 1973) |
| Maria Shriver Grandparents | Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. & Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (maternal) |
| Parents | Sargent Shriver (father), Eunice Kennedy Shriver (mother) |
| Siblings | Four brothers: Robert, Timothy, Mark, Anthony |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger Maria Shriver Marriage | April 26, 1986 – December 2021 (divorced) |
| Maria Shriver Children | Katherine, Christina, Patrick, Christopher (4 total) |
| Who is Maria Shriver Married to Now | Not married; dating Matthew Dowd since 2013 |
| Matthew Dowd Maria Shriver Relationship | Partner since 2013 (political consultant) |
| Current Occupation | Journalist, Author, Advocate, NBC News Special Anchor |
| Maria Shriver Net Worth | Approximately $200 million |
| Famous For | Emmy-winning journalist, Kennedy family member, Former California First Lady |
| Organization Founded | The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement |
Who is Maria Shriver
Maria Shriver stands as one of America’s most respected journalists and advocates, carving out her own distinguished identity despite being born into political royalty as a Kennedy family member. The award-winning broadcast journalist spent nearly two decades at NBC News, earning multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards for her compelling storytelling and investigative reporting.
As California’s First Lady from 2003 to 2011, she championed women’s empowerment and service initiatives. After her highly publicized divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger following his admission of fathering a child with their housekeeper, Maria emerged stronger, dedicating herself to Alzheimer’s research and advocacy while raising her four children and continuing her influential work as an author, speaker, and special anchor for NBC News.
Maria Shriver Early Background: Kennedy Royalty
Maria Owings Shriver was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, into one of America’s most influential political families. Her father, Sargent Shriver, was a renowned diplomat and politician who founded the Peace Corps and ran for vice president in 1972. Her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was the sister of President John F. Kennedy and founded the Special Olympics in 1968.
Growing up as the only girl among four brothers Robert, Timothy, Mark, and Anthony Maria learned early how to hold her own in competitive environments. Maria Shriver grandparents on her mother’s side were Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, whose children included President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy. This meant Maria grew up surrounded by political power, activism, and extraordinarily high expectations.
Despite this privilege, Maria Shriver young years weren’t always easy. The family lived in Paris during part of her childhood when her father served as U.S. Ambassador to France. She attended Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a prestigious Catholic girls’ school, graduating in 1973. Her upbringing emphasized public service, education, and using privilege to help others values that would shape her entire life.
Education and Career Beginnings
Maria Shriver attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies in 1977. Unlike many wealthy young people who might have relied on family connections, Maria was determined to forge her own professional identity.
Her journalism career began at KYW-TV in Philadelphia, where she worked as a writer and producer. This wasn’t a glamorous role she worked long hours for modest pay, learning the television news business from the ground up. In 1978, she moved to Baltimore’s “Evening Magazine” as a producer before landing a national correspondent position with CBS in 1983.
From 1985 to 1986, Maria Shriver co-anchored “The CBS Morning News” with Forrest Sawyer. While the show struggled in ratings, it gave her valuable experience in live broadcasting and breaking news coverage. In 1986, she made a career-defining move to NBC News, where she would spend the next 18 years building her reputation as one of television’s most respected journalists.
NBC News Success and Awards
At NBC, Maria Shriver truly flourished. She co-anchored “Sunday Today” from 1987 to 1990 and became a correspondent for “Dateline NBC” from 1992 to 2004. Her reporting covered politics, social issues, and human interest stories that combined hard news with emotional depth.
In 1988, Maria Shriver co-anchored NBC’s Emmy-winning coverage of the Summer Olympics, earning critical acclaim for her work. In 1998, she received a prestigious Peabody Award for her journalism excellence. Her reporting wasn’t sensationalistic or superficial she asked tough questions while treating interview subjects with dignity and respect.
Maria’s journalism career faced an ethical crossroads in August 2003 when Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy for California governor. To avoid conflicts of interest, she took an unpaid leave from NBC. When he won in November 2003, she officially left NBC News in February 2004 to focus on her role as California’s First Lady. She returned to NBC as a special anchor in 2013 after Schwarzenegger’s governorship ended.
Marriage to Arnold Schwarzenegger
The story of Arnold Schwarzenegger Maria Shriver meeting has become part of Hollywood lore. In 1977, news anchor Tom Brokaw introduced Maria to the Austrian bodybuilder-turned-actor at a charity tennis tournament at Brokaw’s mother’s house. Despite coming from completely different worlds she from American political royalty, he an immigrant pursuing the American dream they connected immediately.
After dating for nine years, Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger married on April 26, 1986, at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Hyannis, Massachusetts. The wedding was a major social event attended by political figures, Hollywood celebrities, and the extended Kennedy clan.
Maria Shriver children with Arnold include four kids: Katherine (born 1989), Christina (born 1991), Patrick (born 1993), and Christopher (born 1997). She balanced motherhood with her demanding journalism career, often describing the juggling act as challenging but rewarding.
The Painful Divorce and Moving Forward
In May 2011, Maria Shriver now faced the most difficult period of her life. Arnold Schwarzenegger Maria Shriver marriage ended when it was revealed that Schwarzenegger had fathered a child with their household staff member, Mildred Baena, during their marriage. The revelation shocked the nation and devastated Maria.
She moved out of their Brentwood mansion and filed for divorce shortly after the revelation. However, the divorce wasn’t finalized until December 2021 a full decade later. Despite the painful circumstances, Maria and Arnold have maintained a respectful co-parenting relationship for their children and grandchildren.
Who is Maria Shriver married to now? She’s not currently married. However, Matthew Dowd Maria Shriver relationship has been public since around 2013. Dowd is a political consultant who formerly worked for George W. Bush’s campaigns before becoming an independent political analyst. The couple maintains privacy about their relationship but have been spotted together at various events.
Alzheimer’s Advocacy and The Women’s Movement
In 2003, Maria Shriver’s father Sargent was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, changing her life’s trajectory. She became a passionate advocate for Alzheimer’s research and patient care, producing “The Alzheimer’s Project,” a four-part HBO documentary series that premiered in May 2009 and won two Emmy Awards.
She founded The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement to raise awareness about how this devastating disease disproportionately affects women who represent two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients. Through this organization, Maria has raised millions for research and helped change public policy around dementia care.
Maria Shriver Net Worth and Current Life
Maria Shriver net worth is estimated at approximately $200 million, accumulated through her journalism salary, book royalties, speaking fees, and divorce settlement. However, money has never been her primary motivator she focuses on meaningful work rather than wealth accumulation.
Maria Shriver now, at 69 years old, remains incredibly active. She’s authored several bestselling books including “I’ve Been Thinking: Reflections, Prayers, and Meditations for a Meaningful Life” and recently announced a poetry book titled “I Am Maria: My Poems and Reflections on Heartbreak, Healing, and Hope,” set for release in April 2025.
She continues working as an NBC News special anchor, speaks at conferences worldwide, and remains deeply involved in Alzheimer’s advocacy. Most importantly, she’s embraced her role as grandmother to her daughter Katherine’s children with actor Chris Pratt.
FAQs
Maria Shriver is 69 years old as of 2025. She was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, making her a Scorpio.
Maria Shriver has four children with Arnold Schwarzenegger: Katherine (born 1989), Christina (born 1991), Patrick (born 1993), and Christopher (born 1997).
Maria Shriver is not currently married. She divorced Arnold Schwarzenegger in December 2021 after a decade-long separation. She has been dating political consultant Matthew Dowd since around 2013.
Maria Shriver net worth is estimated at approximately $200 million, earned through her journalism career, book sales, speaking engagements, and divorce settlement from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Maria Shriver grandparents on her mother’s side were Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, making her part of the famous Kennedy political dynasty and niece of President John F. Kennedy.
Maria Shriver filed for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger in May 2011 after learning he had fathered a child with their household employee during their marriage. The divorce was finalized in December 2021 after 25 years of marriage.
Conclusion
Maria Shriver’s life story teaches us that privilege doesn’t protect anyone from pain, but resilience and purpose can transform suffering into service. She’s navigated enormous public scrutiny while maintaining grace, dignity, and commitment to causes larger than herself.
Whether you know her as a Kennedy, a journalist, a former First Lady, or an Alzheimer’s advocate, Maria Shriver represents something powerful a woman who refused to be defined by her famous family or her husband’s betrayal, choosing instead to create meaningful impact through her own talents and determination.
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