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Home , Maria Shriver

RENOWNED AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST REFLECTS ON WHY BEING YOURSELF IS ALWAYS ENOUGH.

A Powerful

Purpose

By Julie Kendrick Photo by Robert Trachtenberg

henever she meets anyone new, Maria Shriver takes the direct approach. “I’m Maria,” she says, reaching out for a handshake and offering her W trademark mile-wide smile. It’s her own way of claiming a name and an identity that have often been caught up in the stories of others — her uncles Robert and President John F. Kennedy, her parents, and — and her life as the former First Lady of California. These days, Shriver has “a lot of commas in my life,” as she puts it. The “commas” refer to all the roles she plays: devoted mother of four adult children, best-selling author, weekly digital newsletter columnist, Peabody- and Emmy Award-winning journalist and, most recently, podcast host. “My business card simply says, ‘Maria Shriver,’” she says, adding, “We’re all someone’s child, partner, sibling, parent. Those commas are our identity, but everything else in our life, like our job titles, are just roles. “You need to know your name and who you are, and embrace that. For me, I am Maria,

and what I think is good; what I am is good. I am enough. I don’t need a job title on my Esposito Vito Hair by Castellanos Liz by Makeup

16 | “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.” —Oscar Wilde

Clockwise from top left: Shriver chats business card, because I don’t go by on patients and families. Shriver’s with and a job, I go by passion, meaning and “Your mind is father died in 2011 at age 95. on Today in 2019; Shriver with her what’s important to me. The job title your greatest children: Patrick, Christina, Katherine I care most about is being the best §Time­ to Act and Christopher Schwarzenegger; human being I can be.” asset. It’s going With a family history such as that, Shriver with her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, brothers Robert another person might succumb to be with you Sargent Shriver III and Anthony K. §Pay­ Attention to Your Brain to worry or fear. Not Shriver. Shriver and father Sargent Shriver. Shriver, 63, grew up in a family that for your entire Ever seeking to make a positive put an emphasis on accomplishment lifetime.” impact, she founded The Women's and service. Her mother, Eunice, was —Maria Shriver Alzheimer's Movement (WAM). The If you can think, then you can write.” the founder of the nonprofit organization is dedicated Shriver has even jumped into the and a pioneer for the rights of people to raising awareness about women’s world of podcasting with the launch with intellectual disabilities. Shriver increased risk for Alzheimer’s, as of Meaningful Conversations with

has recalled that when people would helped found the , was well as raising funds to support Maria Shriver . The podcast will tell Maria how beautiful she was, her diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease critical women-based research. It “explore the life topics, issues and mother would say, “Your looks will in 2003. focuses on educating the public — ideas that we’re all thinking about,” go. Pay attention to your brain.” Shriver published a children's women and men — about lifestyle she says. It promises thought- The brain — its workings, its book, What's Happening to changes they can make to protect provoking conversations on issues health and its susceptibility to Grandpa?, that offers ideas on how their brain health. connected and put good things in Meaningful Life. The book grew out of such as love, faith, family, gratitude, diseases such as Alzheimer’s — is to help and show love to someone “You will never do great things your mouth.” What’s her favorite a weekly column that appears in her grief, health and wellness. a major focus of Shriver’s attention with the disease. She was executive by saying ‘I’m scared,’” she says. ingredient? “Olive oil, olive oil, olive digital newsletter The Sunday Paper. “My goal with the podcast is to these days. Along with women’s producer of HBO’s The Alzheimer's “Your mind is your greatest asset. oil,” she laughs. Each short chapter begins with a have smart, spirited and spiritual health, it remains one of her primary Project. The four-part documentary It’s going to be with you for your With her no-nonsense style and quote from a noted thinker, including discussions about the issues affecting beats in her role as a special anchor series earned two Emmy Awards for entire lifetime, so the time to start direct approach, it’s not a surprise Maya Angelou, Archbishop Desmond us all,” she says. for NBC News. It’s not just an interest developing a “television show with taking care of it is now.” She also that she’s an advocate for having Tutu, St. Ambrose and Shriver herself. in the abstract sense, but one with a a conscience.” The series covered urges everyone to get involved in frank, open conversations about how Each chapter ends with a prayer. §Today­ and the Day After tragically personal connection in her the latest scientific research and the fight to raise money for research you want to age. “Talk with those In the book’s introduction, she “I want people to know they are more life. Her father, Sargent Shriver, who examined the effects of the disease and let political leaders know your you love about the mental, social, writes, “Let’s face it: Life is one hell in control of their fate than they views. “If you sit still, nothing will spiritual and financial aspects that of a roller-coaster ride. And what has think they are, and that their genes happen,” she says. And if you know matter most to you. Start out in an helped me get through it is my faith, are not their destiny,” she says. someone who is a caregiver for a easy, low-key way, and keep talking.” my family, my friends and my writing. “It’s important to know that if person with Alzheimer’s, she has a Most of all, she urges a This book has one purpose: to get Alzheimer’s runs in your family, that special request: “Please help them reassessment of self-esteem: “Don’t you to think about what constitutes does not necessarily mean you will and support them however you can.” see yourself as old, but as a vibrant a meaningful life for you. Just you. get it. But it’s also important to know member of society. You have so Because there is only one you, and you that even if it doesn’t run in your §­Taking Care much to learn and so much to give. have only one life.” family, you’re still at risk.” Shriver offers some simple thoughts You can have new dreams, careers The companion piece to the book Still, maintaining a healthy about how to keep your brain and relationships. It’s an exciting is I’ve Been Thinking . . . The Journal: lifestyle may be the best thing you functioning at its peak: “Live as time to be an older adult.” Inspirations, Prayers and Reflections can do to ensure that you can enjoy curiously as you can and as healthily for Your Meaningful Life. “I wanted your life right now — and in the as you can,” she says. “Move, stay §She’s­ Been Thinking a journal that encourages readers to future. “How you live today will Her latest book, published last year, write about their own lives and what impact your tomorrow,” Shriver says. is the No. 1 New York Times bestseller really matters to them,” she says. “I “Even if your health has not been Left: Maria with her father, Sargent I’ve Been Thinking . . . : Reflections, believe that everyone is a writer, even a priority before, you can begin to

Photos (clockwise from top left) Getty/NBC, top (clockwise from Photos Getty/Lester Cohen, Getty/Boston Globe Prayers and Meditations for a if they don’t believe they are good at it. make the change today.” Shriver, in 1989. Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com by Photo •

18 | “Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success.” —Martha Stewart by UnitedHealthcare | 19