Maria Owings Shriver was born on November 6, 1955, into one of America's most prominent families, the Shriver and Kennedy clans. From an early age, she was surrounded by a legacy of public service and leadership, which would shape her life's journey.

Her career began in journalism, where her voice and dedication quickly made her a standout. Starting at CBS station KYW-TV, Shriver demonstrated her aptitude for storytelling and news coverage, which led to a brief stint anchoring the CBS Morning News. In 1986, she joined NBC News, marking the start of a fruitful relationship with the network. Shriver anchored weekend editions of both Today and NBC Nightly News before becoming a correspondent for Dateline NBC. She covered politics and important stories with depth and clarity, earning her a Peabody Award in 1998. She also co-anchored NBC's Emmy-winning coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympics, showcasing her versatility as a journalist.