In a recent conversation with PEOPLE, Maria Shriver and three of her siblings discussed their commitment to upholding the legacy of their parents, Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, amidst the flurry of media portrayals surrounding their famous family. While the Kennedy clan has seen renewed interest due to projects such as FX’s hit series ‘Love Story’— which chronicles the lives of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette—Maria Shriver expressed a desire to focus on more impactful matters beyond the glossy surface of notoriety.
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Reflecting on the media’s fascination with their family, Maria remarked, “If you tried to keep up with the amount of movies and TV shows and books on our larger family, that’s all your life would be about. If we went down that road, it’d be a full-time job.” Rather than become entangled in the entertainment spotlight, the Shriver siblings have committed themselves to furthering their parents’ vision of service, a guiding principle that continues to inform their endeavours today.
Maria, along with her brothers Bobby, Tim, and Mark, recently gathered at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library to discuss their family history and the surprising revelation of their father’s long-lost manuscript. This work, now published as a memoir titled ‘We Called It A War’, chronicles Sargent Shriver’s pivotal role during the War on Poverty—a series of comprehensive social initiatives aimed at aiding low-income Americans in the 1960s.
During their discussion, Maria emphasised their dedication to continuing their parents’ legacy, stating, “We’ve all worked really hard to work together to support both of our parents and their vision and continue to honour their legacy, keeping it alive.” Each sibling has dedicated their careers to philanthropic efforts: Maria founded The Sunday Paper and the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement; Bobby is a philanthropist and co-founder of the RED campaign alongside Bono; Tim serves as the chairman of the Special Olympics; and Mark established the Save the Children Action Network. Their younger brother, Anthony, heads Best Buddies International, an organisation that promotes inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Collaboration within the Shriver clan is evident in their day-to-day activities. “We all work with each other,” Maria explained, outlining how they engage with one another’s initiatives, from supporting Mark’s school to his work with Save the Children and Tim’s involvement with the Special Olympics. The siblings recognise that diverting their attention to the distraction of media narratives would undermine their collective mission.
Mark echoed his sister’s sentiments, remembering their father’s advice to stay the course: “Daddy said, ‘Don’t pay any attention to it. Go do your work. If you can, go to mass.’ And that’s where you get the results.” This steadfast approach, prioritising meaningful work over external distractions, has shaped the family’s view on service.
Tim added further insight, explaining their father’s broader vision: “Daddy really understood that there was a larger narrative out there, but his job was to kick ass and make a difference. The question is, did you make a difference?” This commitment to effecting change in tangible ways remains at the heart of the Shriver family ethos.
Maria underscored the significance of avoiding the chaos that can come with public scrutiny, stating, “It’s a noisy world. You can get pulled in a hundred different directions and end up in a mess yourself. Or you can stay focused.” This philosophy is something she actively shares with her own children, aiming to instill in them the importance of purpose and direction.
As the Shriver siblings continue to honour their parents’ legacy, they are also nurturing a new generation, with 19 children and 10 grandchildren among them. Tim optimistically expressed hope for their kids, remarking, “If you give your kids something that’s real, not BS, not veneer, not flash, they keep coming back. Our parents gave us the privilege of being involved in work that matters, so our kids, I hope, will feel that.”
For further insights into the Shriver siblings and the recent revelations surrounding Sargent Shriver’s memoir, readers can find the full story in the latest issue of PEOPLE, available on newsstands this Friday.