Maria Owings Shriver (born November 6, 1955) is an American reporter, author, television figure, and advocate. She belongs to both the Kennedy and Shriver lineages, and is the niece of President John F. Kennedy, U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy. Maria gained national recognition as co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America from 1980 to 1997, where she interviewed global leaders, covered significant events, and became a trusted voice in morning television. She subsequently focused her efforts on writing, producing documentaries, and launching the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement. From 2003 to 2011, she served as First Lady of California while Arnold Schwarzenegger held the governor’s office.
As of March 2026, Maria is 70 and remains active in media, advocacy, and writing. She hosts the PBS health series Second Opinion, contributes to NBC’s Today show, and frequently discusses topics related to ageing, caregiving, women’s health, and Alzheimer’s awareness. In April 2025, she released her most recent book, I Am Maria: My Reflections and Poems on Heartbreak, Healing, and Finding Your Way Home, which delves into personal development, loss, and resilience.
Age
Maria Shriver was born on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. She is 70 years old as of March 2026.
Biography Update
Maria is the offspring of Sargent Shriver, who established the Peace Corps, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who initiated the Special Olympics. She spent a portion of her youth in Paris while her father served as ambassador to France, then returned to the U.S. She attended Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, graduating in 1973, and obtained a B.A. in American studies from Georgetown University in 1977.
Maria commenced her journalism journey at KYW-TV in Philadelphia, then briefly served as anchor for CBS Morning News before joining NBC News in 1986. She anchored weekend editions of the Today show and NBC Nightly News, worked as a Dateline NBC correspondent, and extensively covered politics. She received a Peabody Award in 1998 and shared an Emmy for NBC’s 1988 Olympics coverage. In 2004, she departed from NBC to concentrate on her role as First Lady of California while Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor from 2003 to 2011.
In 2009, Maria produced The Alzheimer’s Project, which won two Emmys and an award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for ‘television with a conscience.’ She initiated the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement in 2010 to bolster research centered on women. In 2014, she returned to NBC as a special anchor for Today. In 2021, she began hosting PBS’s Second Opinion, where she interviews health and wellness specialists.
Maria has authored over ten books, including guides on parenting, health, and memoirs. Her latest, I Am Maria (April 2025), examines heartbreak, healing, and self-exploration through reflections and poetry. She is a sought-after speaker on caregiving, ageing, and women’s issues, often sharing her experiences caring for her mother, who had dementia and passed away in 2013, and her own breast cancer scare in the mid-2010s. In 2026, Maria continues to champion Alzheimer’s research, hosts Second Opinion, and contributes to Today.
Net Worth
In 2026, Maria Shriver’s net worth is estimated to be between $60 and $70 million, derived from multiple sources:
- Salary and bonuses from Good Morning America (peak years reportedly $2–5 million annually)
- Book sales and advances (multiple bestsellers)
- Television contracts (NBC, PBS, A&E)
- Speaking fees and endorsements
- Investments and real estate (properties in California and elsewhere)
- Settlement and assets from her 2021 divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger
She remains financially secure owing to diverse income streams and prudent management.
Relationships
Maria Shriver was married to actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from April 26, 1986, until their divorce concluded in December 2021. They separated in 2011 after Schwarzenegger confessed to fathering a child with their long-time housekeeper, Mildred “Patty” Baena, in 1997. This concluded their 25-year marriage. Despite the public controversy, Maria has expressed her focus on healing, forgiveness, and co-parenting their four children. She has not remarried and has kept her personal life discreet since the divorce. Maria states she is satisfied with her independence and family-centered life, and occasionally shares insights on relationships and resilience in interviews and her writing.
Children
Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger have four children:
- Katherine Schwarzenegger (born December 13, 1989) – Author and lifestyle influencer; wed actor Chris Pratt in 2019; they have three children.
- Christina Schwarzenegger (born September 27, 1991) – Actress and producer.
- Patrick Schwarzenegger (born September 18, 1993) – Actor and model.
- Christopher Schwarzenegger (born September 27, 1997) – Private life; has pursued passions in fitness and business.
Maria takes pride in her children’s independence and accomplishments, and she maintains a close relationship with all four. She frequently emphasizes family values and support in her public comments and writings.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Maria Owings Shriver |
| Date of Birth | November 6, 1955 |
| Age (March 2026) | 70 |
| Net Worth (2026 est.) | $60–70 million |
| Husband | Arnold Schwarzenegger (married 1986–2021, divorced) |
| Children | Katherine (b. 1989), Christina (b. 1991), Patrick (b. 1993), Christopher (b. 1997) |
| Career Highlights | Co-host Good Morning America (1980–1997); author of 10+ books; Today correspondent; Second Opinion host |
| Recent Work | I Am Maria (2025 memoir); PBS Second Opinion host; Alzheimer’s advocacy |
| Health Advocacy | Breast cancer survivor; Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement founder |
