Maria Shriver is returning to NBC as a special news anchor, one month after her surprise appearance on “Today” covering the pope’s first few days at the Vatican.
The former California first lady will be reporting on women’s issues and will also be serving as an editor-at-large for women’s issues across NBC News’ digital properties, the network annouced today.
“Welcome back to the family,” co-host Matt Lauer said to Shriver on the “Today” show.
The announcement comes at a time when the Peacock could use a little good news. The program, and Lauer in particular, has been battling negative p.r. in wake of the Ann Curry beheading.
Shriver appeared on this morning’s broadcast in an interview with Tony award winning playwright, performer and activist Eve Ensler. Shriver said she was excited to be returning to the network and “profiling architects of change, like Ensler.”
The 57-year-old Shriver said in a press release, “I look forward to shining a light on all areas of a woman’s experience – from faith and finances, wellness and work, to relationships and the new realities of modern life– and exploring these issues in a way that brings the voices of men into these critically important conversations.”
Shriver co-hosted the weekend edition of “Today” from 1987-1990. She then hosted the weekend edition of “Nightly News” and then “Dateline.” She took a leave of absence in 2003 when her husband Arnold Schwarzenegger ran for governor of California and parted ways with NBC News after he was elected.
Shriver’s daughter, Katherine Schwarzenegger tweeted, “So excited for my mom @mariashriver to go back to the @todayshow ! Happy she is returning to her old family and doing what she loves!”
As The Post previously reported, speculation that Shriver would return to TV work has been around since she split with Schwarzenegger in mid-2011, after he admitted to having an affair with the couple’s longtime housekeeper and fathering a son with her.