Maria Owings Shriver is born in Chicago, Illinois, to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F. Kennedy, and Sargent Shriver, who would later become the first director of the Peace Corps and a U.S. Vice Presidential candidate.

Maria spends her childhood immersed in the world of politics and public service, influenced by her parents' commitment to social justice and the Kennedy legacy.

Graduates from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic, independent, college-preparatory school for girls located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Earns a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Georgetown University. This education provides a strong foundation for her future career in journalism.

Witnessing her mother's tireless advocacy for individuals with intellectual disabilities through the Special Olympics deeply impacts Maria. This fuels her desire to use her platform for positive change.