Maria Shriver Talks To Oprah About Being First Lady: "I Cried A Lot... I Still Cry"

Maria Shriver told Oprah Wednesday that she was a reluctant First Lady of California, and felt "lost" when she left her job as a journalist after her husband Arnold Schwarzenegger took charge in California.

"I thought I was supposed to do what they told," Shriver told Oprah.

The daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver, Maria had a successful career as a journalist before her husband entered politics. Shriver worked as as an anchor and reporter for CBS News and NBC News before serving as a contributing anchor on Dateline NBC from 1989 to 2004.

To avoid a conflict of interest, Shriver left NBC News when her husband took office.

"I was happy being a journalist," Shriver told Oprah. "I didn't realize losing my job, my identity went with it."

"I lost myself in the process, and I realized how much I had identified myself with Maria Shriver, newswoman," she said. "When that was gone, I had to really sit back and go, 'Well, actually, who am I today?'

She added that the emotional effects of feeling "lost" still cause her to cry some days.

Watch the exchange with Oprah:

Comments

[NABNYC]

Any possibility that Arnold is on McCain's short list for VP? He's younger, strong, his wife is a Kennedy (kind of) democrat, she's writing books and on Oprah, he's got out his CPA eye-shade and calculator figuring out how throwing 2 millions kids out of school by 6th grade might balance the budget in California, going straight after education, getting his street creds with the Norquist neocons.

They would have 4 years to amend the constitution to say he could run for president, or not.

Just an idea.

[NewtonSylmar]

They wouldn't have four years for a VP bid...it would have to be closer to four months. The Constitution says that any person elected to a position in the line of succession for the office of President must meet the qualifications for the office of President. So, Arnold should be filed under "unavailable" this time around.

[The 13 Colonies]

I would think when Arnold saw the tape he probably told her "next time just shuuuuuuuuduuuuuuuuup!

[CAPTAINSKIPPY]

So Maria is feeling sorry for herself; what about all the damage Arnold is spreading on California and Californians? Maria is so - Republican.

[carpentero]

A 'journalist"? I've been and known journalists, and Maria was no journalist. She was the stereotypical "attractive" anorexic talking head the network needed to sell products. I have no repesct for this broad. She looks like something from some bad vampire flick.

[Boobaloo]

For me, what I reject about Oprah and Shriver and their ilk is not that they wealthy and famous, I dont care about that and usually the richer and more famous the more miserable ... what I really resent is this shiny, well package lie that the two of them are trying to sell.

That Shriver is happy about losing everything she worked her whole life for and is better for having been sold up the river by her husband when we can see and hear the truth: she's miserable, angry, flailing and thrashing around and really desperate.

I had being lied to, I would have more respect for her and her story if she told the truth instead of taking the truth and packaging it in a pretty little book, that tells a pretty little story about how wonderful it is when horrible betrayals happen to us.

That is what I resent. When our careers fail and our loved ones betray us, it just plain sucks the big one. No pretty dressing, no deep existential lessons, just pain and loss and then getting over it.

[Boobaloo]

Is Is it me or does shriver sound,act and behave as though she's desperately holding off complete mass hysteria and emotional collapse followed by mental breakdown?

I am so sick of Oprah and her stupid platform for privelaged, rich, spoiled people to lie to us about how they found themselves and that losing everything is the best thing that could ever happen to anyone blah blah blah. Then she trots out four 'average' women who ALWAYS say the same thing: the guests book has completely changed their lives! They see everything so much clearly now! Nauseating garbage.

Hey Maria...you can spin it anyway you want but, you're selfish husband ruined your life by becoming a politician and costing you your career, although NBC dumped you so quickly I suspect they'd been looking for a reason to do it for a long time.

I dont know of one single valuable piece of 'journalim' that Shriver has done.

[AnnoyedCanuck]

This woman is a fraud. She wants sympathy because she felt uncomfortable putting on pearls and waving to crowds with Arnold? She's a Kennedy, for God's sake. Her father was Ambassador to France, George McGovern's running mate in 1972 and ran for president in 1976. She knew exactly what she was getting into when she became a governor's wife.

Let's not pretend Ms. Shriver hasn't been blessed with incredible good fortune in life. She's a grand-daughter of Joe Kennedy, one of the richest Americans of his day, and a heiress in her own right. Her husband the movie star governor is worth hundreds of millions. She has healthy children and, by all appearances, a good marriage. Everybody goes through periods of sadness and doubt. Very few of us get to weep about it on Oprah (or even want to). Count your blessings, Maria. Your life could be a lot worse.

[ljmck]

And the millions she got for not working--that didn't help this poor lost celebrity? Let her eat cake.

[ENK727]

I read an article awhile back stating that she quit being a reporter when she was disgusted over the Anna Nicole Smith media coverage. I don't understand then why she's on Oprah complaining now?

[FreedomCorpse]

Its very sad that Arnie is a politician instead of just doing movies. I read somewhere that Arnie went republican because someone told him the party was "for the people" and Arnie liked that. So, in fact if the story is true, Arnie being a republican was based on a lie.
I weep for CA because they made Maria's husband a governor. It would be better if Maria was doing journalism than wearing a burqa behind Arnie's bad politics.

[constitutionalive]

Since Maria is "lost", I suggest a keen intellect, e.g., Chalie Rose/PBS carry the Shriver ball for the USA by summarizing all of CRS "wise guests' " opinions for USA future success. George Soros chastises US Gov't leaders for being entrenched in wrong political doctrines; Pete Pete Peterson wants to cut all entitlements now ! [what happens to USA economy when elimination of entitlements produces mass bankruptcy/impoverishment/illness/homelessness of the aging?!] Okay, Charlie Rose, ENVISION THE BIG PICTURE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: As Soros says, US Gov't MUST embrace appropriate regulation, re-establish TRUE affordable housing [collapsing mortgages were partly caused by obscenely priced average and sub-standard houses! out of sync with wages !] PBS' TS Reid/Frontline this week explained first that USA MUST have a universal healthcare system/offered visions of healthcare systems of other countries which work well/cost less than current US version. Then, the myriad of other social programs which must be restored to JFK/LBJ integrity/levels lifting everyone up to the middle middle class, advancing education which will advance business, science and innovation, and subsidizing the farmers to ensure a stable/affordable food supply for all; i.e., we need Mr Shriver's visions/plans/programs ...NOW...in the USA ...so USA may invest wisely in herself/slingshot out of recession with advanced learning, healthy workers/population, effective, efficient and appropriate social support programs to advance the USA in 21st c. version of world/challenges.

[javaman]

she didn't seem all this "lost" when she basically abondoned her Democratic upbringing to marry a repuke thug, now, did she?

sorry, toots, you lost all crediablity when you "lost" your identity to be "first lady". We all make choices. She made hers and now chooses to live with regrets. welcome to the rest of the world.

[jdm58]

Some of these negative attacks on Maria Shriver are mind boggling! "Poor little rich girl?" She lost two family members to assasins bullets, for serving their country. She herself has done two tours of duty in the Peace Corps (not a luxury vacation abroad I can assure you!). She has been involved in politics her entire life as a Kennedy, the quintessential American political family dynasty. I would go so far as to say that her political record is as strong as Hillary Clinton. If she wasn't married to California's Governor, she could have a political career of her own. I would support any candidacy she chose, including the White House.
Her interview was about her book, and why she wrote it. She especially wanted to speak to the young people who define success and happiness by fame and fortune- how they are not the same, and that one does not bring the other. That she was willing to share her personal experience should be applauded, not ridiculed.

[gonavy]

Very well put. Here intentions were pure.

[paixa3]

She looks very sad and somewhat bitter......

I hope she finds what she needs in life to be happy.

[gonavy]

Both her parents are fading fast, you'd be sad too.

[SingingBird]

Wow....aren't you naysayers a cynical bunch.

As someone that has been laid off from corporate jobs, I can appreciate what she is going through. It isn't about the riches and fame in her life. It is about defining a portion of yourself (including your self worth) based on your work and finding purpose through your work whatever that may entail. The same can probably be said for a woman who was a business professional and then started a family.

All this shows is that Maria is human and has something in common with others regardless of wealth and fame.

If you want to rail on someone about the topic, then rail on Oprah for producing this particular show. Or better yet, don't watch it or email Oprah to complain so that your complaints aren't in vain.

[AlphaMutt]

WAAAAAAAAAAH. Poor bolemic little rich girl. STFU!

[raker]

Poor little rich girl.

[peachfuzz]

The feeling of loss is universal regardless of exactly why the loss occurred.

If the thing you felt you were meant to do was taken away,
you'd feel the loss...and it doesn't matter how much money you
have or who you are. Many people on the lower economic scale are
forced to do work that isn't what they are meant to do.

It's a very hard transition to be removed from your purpose and
not be able to find something else to apply yourself to that means as much.

It's basically being made to feel obsolete and it results in grief,
no matter who you are.

[MyThought]

Awww.....poor little thing. If she wants to have something to cry about - how about losing your home, your job - a child killed in Iraq - you know, the really sad things.

Violins anyone?

[Theda]

One Sunday at St. Monica's church in Santa Monica, I saw Maria lurking near the lobby door as Mass was nearly over.
She was standing by herself in a black suit, looking very thin, wane and unhappy.
I thought to myself....she lives in a 10,000 square foot mansion in Brentwood and has a husband worth $400 million. Why does she look so miserable?

[slobone]

Cause people were staring at her in church?

[slobone]

She doesn't say, in this clip anyway, what Arnold said to her. Did he say "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do" or "you have to do this for me." Hmm, I think I could guess. And the rumors about him having affairs on the side are nonstop.

[oligodendroglia]

what a difficult life maria and oprah lead ....

it brings tears to my eyes ....

[happytrails]

When Arnold retires, Maria should run for Chancellor of Austria.

[kl836]

What an ignorant, no, hostile statement! Are you against immigrants becoming U.S. citizens with all the rights and responsibilities? If you don't like Schwrzenegger's politics than argue reasonably and not emotionally.

[happytrails]

Wow, k. I just reread what I wrote, looking for the hostility and/or argument and couldn't find either. Maybe I'm just frazzled by this protracted hate-fest of a campaign. And we haven't even gotten to the bathing suit part yet.

[AtTheMoon]

lighten up frances

[NappyRoots100]

totally

[goodog]

I like ragging on Maria Shriver as much as anybody, but I'm sure the entire interview wasn't a pitty party. To say she has bad days and an identity crisis as first lady isn't a shocker, and it's kind of interesting to think of her wandering down hall ways all dolled up, looking for someone to give her a little direction. It's an amusing little absurdity about our society, even if you don't feel particularly compassionate about it.

You would think, though, that any self-aware celebionair might preface or append their pathetic tale with some kind of acknowledgement that their self-pitty comes packed with irony that informs them that happiness does not necessarily come from fame and fortune.

To be fair, the few times in my life I wound up with nothing meaningful to do for a while, I was miserable and felt like I didn't know who I was or where I was going, and I can imagine I might have lost my mind if I ever ended up as superfluous as any one of Americas First Ladies seem to become.

The role was designed for and probably worked out better for women of earlier generations who didn't mind being treated like a diamond resting among gold-flake leaves on a silk pillow. It may take a certain type. But I might give it a try.

[Mollye]

She should never have been interviewed by Oprah! She needs to be interviewed by Ellen..then she would be dancing and happy!

[Eenusch]

What exactly is involved in being First Lady of California?!?

If she stayed home all day would anyone notice or care?

What narcissism to think that she has such enormous responsibilities in Sacramento that would reduce her to tears.

He's the Governor and he's important.

She didn't take an oath to the people of the Golden State.

Get a grip.

Finally, I do respect Oprah, but when I see shows like this, I can understand why some people can't stand her.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

What exactly is involved in being First Lady of California?!?

She has to grade the avacados in March and trim the Vacaville sweet onions in September. In August she must trim the little sharp points off the artichoke leaves at half Moon Bay. Then she has to take off her shoes and stomp all the grapes in Napa. Finally she has to go to San Francisco and stir the tofu.