Maria Shriver returning to NBC News

1/10

“SNL” highlights: His work with the “SNL” digital shorts
Post “SNL”: Andy Samberg is still a member of comedy/music troupe the Lonely Island and stars in the Fox comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times, NBC)

2/10

“SNL” highlights: The Target Lady; Dooneese on “The Lawrence Welk Show”
Post “SNL”: Wiig is part of the all-female cast of director Paul Feig’s “Ghostbusters” reboot. (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times, Dana Edelson / NBC)

3/10

“SNL” highlights: Playing Hillary Clinton
Post “SNL”: She’s starring in the seventh and final season of the NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation.” She’s also reuniting with the cast of “Wet Hot American Summer” for Netflix series. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times, Dana Edelson / NBC)

4/10

“SNL” highlights: Weekend Update anchor; Sarah Palin
Away from “SNL”: She created the Emmy-winning NBC series “30 Rock” in 2006 and starred as Liz Lemon. She co-created the upcoming Netflix series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times, Mary Ellen Matthews / Associated Press/NBC)

5/10

“SNL” highlights: Nick Burns, your company’s computer guy; Weekend Update anchor
Post “SNL”: After a brief stint as a movie star, Fallon launched “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” in 2009 and took over “The Tonight Show” in 2014. (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times, Mary Ellen Matthews / NBC/Associated Press)

6/10

“SNL” highlights: George W. Bush; cheerleader
Post “SNL”: Ferrell continues to be a box office draw in comedies such as “Anchorman 2” as well as a small role in “The Lego Movie.” (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times, NBC)

7/10

“SNL” highlights: Opera Man
Post “SNL”: Sandler continues to star in popular yet critically reviled comedies such as “Grown Ups.” His production company will make four movies for Netflix, including the western spoof “Ridiculous 6.” (Valerie Macon / AFP / Getty Images, NBC)

8/10

“SNL” highlights: Velvet Jones; Gumby; Mr. Robinson; Buckwheat
Post “SNL”: Murphy spent years as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars with the “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Nutty Professor” movies. Despite an Oscar nomination in 2006, his film career has cooled. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images for BET, George Rose / Los Angeles Times)

9/10

“SNL” highlights: Elwood Blues; Richard Nixon; Jimmy Carter
Post “SNL”: Aykroyd starred in a string of movies throughout the ‘80s, most notably “The Blues Brothers” and “Ghostbusters.” Now he works to promote his Crystal Head Vodka brand. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times, Universal Studios Home Entertainment)

10/10

“SNL” highlights: Weekend Update anchor; Gerald Ford
Post “SNL:”Chase spent only a year-plus on the show before pursuing other opportunities. He found success in the 1980 film “Caddyshack” and later in the “Vacation” movies. He also starred in the NBC comedy “Community” for four seasons. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times, Universal Studios Home Entertainment)

By Patrick Kevin Day

April 30, 2013 10:40 AM PT

After an absence of over eight years, Maria Shriver is returning to NBC News.

The former first lady of California first rose to prominence as an anchor and correspondent for NBC News from 1986 through 2004, when she stepped down to focus on her political life with her (now estranged) husband, Arnold Schwarzenegger, as governor of California. (Shriver and Schwarzenegger are currently separated).

The announcement of Shriver’s return was made Tuesday on NBC’s “Today” show. But it wasn’t completely unexpected; Shriver appeared on “Today” last month to contribute to the network’s coverage of the selection of the new pope in Rome.

PHOTOS: Celebrity portraits by The Times

Shriver’s new role at NBC will be “special anchor” and will involve her reporting on the shifting roles and emerging power of women in modern life. Her special reports and prime-time specials are expected to appear across all of NBC News’ outlets, including the NBC Nightly News, CNBC, MSNBC and NBC Sports.

But Shriver’s new role isn’t just an on-camera one. She’s also expected to become an editor at large for women’s issues on NBC Digital’s websites, expanding online coverage and editorial content on topics relating to women and society. In total, Shriver’s new role is being described by NBC as the network’s largest commitment ever to covering women’s issues.

NBC will also be airing Shriver’s series of investigative stories, known as “Shriver Reports.” The first, expected to air in early 2014, will look at the growing financial insecurity among women and families in America.

Shriver’s coverage of women’s issues can be seen as an outgrowth of her work as first lady, which saw her create the Minerva Awards, honoring notable California women, and the annual Women’s Conference, which grew into one of the largest single-day conferences for women in the country.

ALSO:

Sarah Silverman to film her first HBO comedy special

Connie Britton wants to see a ‘Friday Night Lights’ movie

ESPN’s Chris Broussard sparks uproar with Jason Collins remarks