Maria Shriver
Maria Shriver
Maria Owings Shriver is an American journalist, activist, author of six best-selling books, and former First Lady of California as the estranged wife of former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. She has received a Peabody Award and was co-anchor for NBC's Emmy-winning coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympics. As executive producer of The Alzheimer's Project, Shriver earned two Emmy Awards and an Academy of Television Arts & Sciences award for developing a "television show with a conscience". She is a member...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTV Show Host
Date of Birth6 November 1955
CityChicago, IL
CountryUnited States of America
I made the mistake of thinking that external accomplishments would bring me peace. I thought it was about the job or a book or making a name for myself.
I think that public service is tough on a family - no ifs, ands, buts about it. I have my own personal wishes, but they're not always front and center.
I like to make jokes; I consider myself a funny person. I just think making jokes about people who are in a situation beyond their control is not funny to them or their families.
I don't think you have to go out and become Secretary of State or be Bono but I think it's to let people know that whatever they do in their life that that's good.
Whether that's speaking up in your job or asking for a promotion or saying, 'I think I can do that.' Using your voice in ways that might initially scare you. That can be being an architect of change.
I think everybody has tragedy in their life. Everybody has hurdles in their life. Everybody has tough things to overcome. My kids say to me, 'This isn't fair.' I said, 'Life isn't fair.' Everybody has their issues. It's how you handle your issues that distinguishes you.
People think, 'Oh my goodness! I have to do something really big.' You don't. Do what you love. There's a great quote from a poet I use all the time: 'Instead of asking what the world needs, ask yourself what you love,' because what the world needs is more people doing what they love.
Never think that someone else knows what's best for you. Trust your way and don't ask for so much advice. Learn how to be quiet and still enough to hear your own voice. It's up to you: Your voice will either be silenced or will get to roar.
If kids are going to be on campus six hours a day, let's be responsible about what we give them.
I wanted to learn about the struggles of the women in China and the struggle about starting a center like this,
to keep on doing the work and not worry what other people have to say.
We all know what happens to first ladies who shoot their mouths off.
I appreciate your support, particularly this year, for sticking with me.
Don't think of him as a Republican, think of him as the man I love; and if that doesn't work, think of him as the man who can crush you.