Maria Shriver, the renowned journalist and former First Lady of California, is making headlines once again—not for her Kennedy lineage or high-profile marriage, but for her bold advocacy around women’s health and aging. At 69, Shriver is using her platform to break taboos and encourage open dialogue, especially among women navigating menopause and midlife transitions.
Shriver Opens Up About Family, Menopause, and Breaking Taboos
Speaking at The Swell’s fourth annual Menopause Symposium in New York on October 4, 2025, co-hosted by actress and entrepreneur Naomi Watts, Shriver shared a deeply personal story about the “uncomfortable conversation” she felt compelled to have with her children about sexual health. She reflected on how her own mother never broached the topic, and emphasized the importance of intergenerational dialogue:
“My kids don’t want to hear me talk about sexual health but I wanted to talk to them because my mother never talked about sex with me, and the more we share... that’s the importance of community events like this. We are all architects of change.”Shriver, a mother of four, also addressed the persistent divide between stay-at-home and working moms, urging women to support each other’s choices rather than compete. Her comments resonated with many attendees, highlighting her ongoing commitment to fostering community and understanding among women.
Reinventing Life in Her 70s
Far from slowing down, Shriver is actively exploring what it means to reinvent oneself later in life. In her recent column, “How People Are Reinventing Themselves in Their 70s,” she spotlights stories of individuals embracing new passions and careers, challenging the notion that aging means fading into the background. Shriver herself is a living example—launching new projects, hosting conversations with leading health experts, and continuing her advocacy for women’s well-being.
Championing Women’s Health: “Be Healthy” and Beyond
Shriver’s latest initiative, the
Be Healthy newsletter, is designed to empower women with practical advice on physical, mental, and spiritual health. In a recent episode, she interviewed Dr. Stacy Sims, a leading researcher in female physiology, to discuss how women’s health needs evolve with age and why tailored approaches to nutrition and fitness are essential. Shriver’s message is clear:
“There’s a sea change going on in women’s health.”Family Ties and Personal Legacy
Despite her public divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger—finalized in 2021 after a decade-long separation—Shriver remains focused on family. She recently reunited with Schwarzenegger and their children for a family dinner, demonstrating her commitment to maintaining strong family bonds. Shriver also credits her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, for instilling values of respect and resilience, traditions she now passes on to her own children.
What’s Next for Maria Shriver?
With her signature blend of candor and compassion, Maria Shriver continues to shape the national conversation around women’s health, aging, and empowerment. Her willingness to tackle uncomfortable topics and her drive to build supportive communities make her a standout voice in today’s cultural landscape.
As Shriver herself puts it, “We are all architects of change.” Expect her to keep leading the way—one honest conversation at a time.
Sources
1. Maria Shriver reveals the uncomfortable conversation she was ...
2. Maria Shriver Recasts 'First Lady' as a Powerful Role in California
3. News Above the Noise—Week of October 5, 2025
4. Maria Shriver Taught Her Children Stand When She Enters a Room ...
5. Life Above the Noise with Maria featuring Stacy Sims - YouTube
6. [PDF] SHRIVER - IN.gov
7. How People Are Reinventing Themselves in Their 70s
8. AMERICAN IDEALIST - JFK Library
9. [PDF] The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's
