MARIA SHRIVER
First Lady
Maria Shriver is a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. She is also a best selling author and an award-winning broadcast journalist. In January 2004, Shriver left her job at NBC News to embark on a new phase of her life as First Lady of California.
During her more than eighteen years at NBC News, Shriver was the anchor for Sunday Today, Weekend Nightly News, the award winning children's program, Main Street, and Dateline, as well as a regular substitute anchor for the Today Show. In addition to her anchoring duties, she reported on a wide range of topics from provocative, award winning issue-oriented hours to news-making events. For her journalistic work she has been honored with an Emmy Award and the prestigious Peabody Award. Before joining NBC News, Shriver was at CBS News where she began as a reporter in the Los Angeles bureau and went on to become the co-anchor, with Forrest Sawyer, of the CBS Morning News. Before joining CBS News, she was at KYW-TV, Philadelphia and WJZ-TV in Baltimore.
In addition to her journalism, Shriver is also a best selling author. Her five highly acclaimed books are all national and New York Times best sellers. Her first best seller, WHAT'S HEAVEN?, was written to help children deal with the issue of death. Her second, TEN THINGS I WISH I'D KNOWN BEFORE I WENT OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD chronicles her life and her entry into the world of journalism. Her third, WHAT'S WRONG WITH TIMMY?, benefits Special Olympics and Best Buddies and helps families understand those with disabilities. Shriver's fourth book, WHAT'S HAPPENING TO GRANDPA?, deals with the issue of Alzheimer's in a realistic but reassuring way. Shriver's fifth book, AND ONE MORE THING BEFORE YOU GO, was published in April 2005 and provides a heartfelt guide for girls as they go off to college.
In her role as First Lady, Shriver focuses her energy on supporting California's military families and serves as Honorary Chair of the California Service Corps, which encourages Californians to engage in acts of service to strengthen and support this state. She remains a dedicated supporter of Special Olympics, the largest and most respected sports organization in the world for the developmentally disabled, and of Best Buddies, a one-on-one partnership program for people with disabilities. She serves as Honorary Chair of the California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women and Families. Under her leadership, 2005 marked the most successful California conference where more than 11,000 women were inspired to become "Architects of Change" in their homes, places of work and communities. Shriver continued a California tradition with the Minerva Awards, honoring four women for their outstanding contributions creating positive change and making a difference in the lives of Californians. The Minerva Scholars Program was a new highlight of this year's conference, awarding four college students each with $25,000 to continue their studies in business, nursing, special education and math/science. Shriver has also championed and recognized California's remarkable women at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts.
More recently, Shriver has raised awareness about the nutrition and obesity crisis facing Californians. In September 2005, she and the Governor held the first ever Governor's Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity in an effort to encourage healthier lifestyles throughout the state. Shriver will continue her efforts to shine a light on all Californians, especially those facing poverty.
Maria Shriver was born in Chicago and received a bachelor's degree in American Studies from Georgetown University. She and her husband have four children - Katherine, Christina, Patrick and Christopher.
12/05