Maria Shriver (born 1955)

Maria Shriver, born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, is the American journalist and author, a member of the Kennedy family, and the former First Lady of California.

Shriver built her own distinguished career in broadcast journalism before becoming First Lady of California, and she has remained a prominent public figure — an author, a journalist, and an advocate for women, caregivers, and families living with Alzheimer’s disease.

A journalist first

Shriver started her career at CBS and later joined NBC News, where she anchored several programs and covered political news. For decades she was a familiar face on American television news, known for serious political reporting and for anchoring coverage of major events.

Her journalism career was her own achievement — she did not trade on her family name, but earned her place in the newsroom through her work as a reporter and anchor.

A member of the Kennedy family

Shriver is a niece of President John F. Kennedy. She grew up in one of America’s most famous political families, the daughter of Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The family’s tradition of public service shaped her life and work from the start.

First Lady of California

From 2003 to 2011, Shriver served as First Lady of California during then-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger’s governorship. In that role she championed causes close to her heart, including women’s empowerment and programs for working families.

Author and advocate

Shriver is the author of books on Alzheimer’s disease, women’s issues, and finding purpose. Her advocacy on Alzheimer’s is deeply personal: her father, Sargent Shriver, lived with the disease, and she has become one of the leading public voices calling for research funding and support for caregivers.

How to mark Maria Shriver’s birthday

Read her books. Her writing on Alzheimer’s disease, women’s issues, and finding purpose offers guidance for readers facing life’s hardest passages.

Support Alzheimer’s research. In honor of her advocacy, learn about the disease and the organizations working toward a cure.

Celebrate women’s voices. Shriver has spent her career lifting up women’s stories — share the work of a woman journalist, author, or advocate you admire.

Key facts about Maria Shriver

Maria Shriver was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. She started her journalism career at CBS and later joined NBC News, where she anchored several programs and covered political news. She is a niece of President John F. Kennedy. She served as First Lady of California from 2003 to 2011 during then-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger’s governorship. She is the author of books on Alzheimer’s disease, women’s issues, and finding purpose.

Frequently asked questions

When was Maria Shriver born? Maria Shriver was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois.

What is Maria Shriver known for? She is an American journalist and author, a member of the Kennedy family, and the former First Lady of California.

How is Maria Shriver related to John F. Kennedy? She is the niece of President John F. Kennedy.

When was Maria Shriver First Lady of California? From 2003 to 2011, during then-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger’s governorship.

What causes does Maria Shriver champion? She advocates for Alzheimer’s research, women’s issues, and support for caregivers, and has written books on Alzheimer’s disease, women’s issues, and finding purpose.

Why it matters

Maria Shriver matters because she used a famous name to do her own work. She built a real career in journalism, served her state as First Lady, and then devoted herself to some of the hardest issues in American life — Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving, and the search for purpose. Her birthday is a reminder that influence is best used in service of others.

See all of the day’s observances on November 6 Holidays, Observances and History.