Hugs And Kisses For The Shrivers
When Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped to the podium for his victory speech, the first person he thanked for helping him ascend to the governor's office was his wife, Maria Shriver.
"I know how many votes I got today because of you," Schwarzenegger said early Wednesday, turning to his wife and kissing her amid chants of "Maria, Maria."
Shriver, a member of America's most famous political family, appeared at several events on the campaign trail to help boost Schwarzenegger's standing among women. She also stood by him in the last week amid allegations that Schwarzenegger groped several women over the years.
"He's one of the most gracious, supportive, open-minded men I have ever met," the TV journalist said at an appearance in September. "I've known him since I was 21 years old, and I know I would not be where I am today in my career, as a woman, without his support."
Shriver, 47, a niece of President Kennedy, has been with NBC since 1986 as an anchor, correspondent and, most recently, as part of "Dateline NBC." She and Schwarzenegger have four children, ages 5 to 13.
NBC is expecting Shriver to return to work after the recall and will talk to her about how her assignments will change following Schwarzenegger's victory.
During the campaign, Shriver has been on an unpaid leave of absence from NBC, where she is a "Dateline NBC" correspondent and substitute anchor on news shows.
Shriver built her career as a hardworking journalist who preferred serious news over fluff.
"She likes to do stories that make a difference," "Dateline NBC" executive producer David Corvo said last month. He cited a report Shriver lobbied to do on women in Minnesota's welfare reform program, a story for which she won a Peabody Award.
Shriver's family may well have influenced Schwarzenegger's socially liberal brand of Republicanism.
Schwarzenegger, 56, has identified himself as a supporter of abortion rights, domestic partnerships for gays and environmental safeguards.
The political odd couple have a home in Los Angeles, a spacious lodge in Sun Valley, Idaho, and a Gulfstream jet to ferry them between the two.
Shriver was 21 and Schwarzenegger was 30 when they met at a 1977 Kennedy family charity tennis tournament, before the Austrian muscleman launched his movie career. The pair found common ground and married in 1986.
Like the Shriver family, Schwarzenegger loves a good prank, Bobby Shriver, Maria's brother, told People magazine.
"That's all you need to know about their relationship right there," he said. "Maria rammed a pie in his face and he fell in love."