Maria Shriver Pays Tribute to Her Late Aunt Jean Kennedy Smith during Her Appearance on 'Today'

On Wednesday, June 17, 2020, Maria Shriver’s aunt, Jean Kennedy Smith, at the age of 92. While appearing remotely on the “Today” show the following day, Shriver paid tribute to her.

On Thursday, Shriver joined the “Today” show for the third hour where she announced the creation of a new center. The star revealed that she was helping create the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Prevention Center.

The aim of the center will be to bring awareness and prevention on the effects of Alzheimer’s on women. However, before the “Today” show contributor got to speaking about the new project, co-host, Al Roker sent his condolences for her loss.

Maria Shriver at The Hollywood Reporter's Empowerment In Entertainment Event on April 30, 2019, in Los Angeles, California | Photo: Presley Ann/Getty Images

PAYING TRIBUTE TO LATE AUNT

Thanking Roker, Shriver honored her late aunt stating: “She was an extraordinary woman, had a great career on behalf of this country as ambassador to Ireland.” The journalist noted how Kennedy Smith had promoted peace in the country and started a “special arts for people with intellectual disabilities.”

She lived an amazing life

Shriver added: “So I take solace in the fact that she is joining every other member of her family up in heaven. So it’s nice for her.” Her late aunt was one of her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s, siblings.

THE LAST SIBLING TO DIE

Former President John F. Kennedy was her brother and she sadly died in 2009. Kennedy Smith’s parents were Rose and Joseph Kennedy.

She was the last of nine siblings to pass away. According to her daughter, Kym Smith, her mother died in Manhattan on Wednesday night.

US AMBASSADOR TO IRELAND

Smith mourned her mother stating how she’d "lived an amazing life." The late Kennedy Smith was appointed as the US Ambassador to Ireland by former President Bill Clinton in 1993.

FOUNDING A CENTER

She kept and fulfilled her role until her retirement in 1998. The diplomat ended up creating the Very Special Arts (VSA) or The Kennedy Center's Office of VSA and Accessibility in 1974.

BEING HONORED BY OBAMA

In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She married Stephen Smith in 1956 and they were together until his death in 1990.

KENNEDY SMITH’S CHILDREN

The couple was parents to two sons, Stephen Smith Jr. and William Smith. Kennedy Smith and her husband also adopted two daughters, Amanda and Kym.

SHRIVER’S MARRIAGE TO SCHWARZENEGGER

Shriver was once married to actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. She and the star had four children together before their 2017 divorce.

KATHERINE IS EXPECTING

One of their children is Katherine Schwarzenegger who is married to actor Chris Pratt. She’s currently pregnant with her first child with her husband.