Robert Sargent Shriver III

Early Life and Education

Robert Sargent Shriver III, widely known as Bobby Shriver, was born on April 28, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois. He is the son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver — founder of the Special Olympics and sister of President John F. Kennedy — and Sargent Shriver, the first director of the Peace Corps and 1972 vice-presidential nominee. Bobby attended Yale University, graduating in 1976, and then Yale Law School, earning his JD in 1980. His education equipped him for a life that would bridge law, music, activism, and electoral politics.

Activism, Politics, and Global Campaigns

Bobby Shriver's career has been defined by an unusual combination of entertainment industry work, humanitarian activism, and local governance. He worked as a music executive and entertainment attorney in the 1980s before turning his attention more fully to public service.

His most consequential contribution may be in global health advocacy. He co-founded the ONE Campaign alongside Bono of U2, a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty and preventable disease. He also co-founded (RED), a commercial initiative that channels a portion of corporate profits from participating brands — including Apple, Starbucks, and Gap — to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Together, these initiatives have raised and directed billions of dollars toward combating the AIDS crisis, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

On the local political front, Bobby served on the Santa Monica City Council beginning in 2004 and subsequently served as Mayor of Santa Monica, California. His time in local government reflected the Kennedy family tradition of grounding public service in direct community engagement.

What is the ONE Campaign and what is Bobby Shriver's role in it?

The ONE Campaign is a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on ending extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Bobby Shriver co-founded it alongside Bono of U2. It lobbies governments and raises public awareness rather than collecting donations from individuals.

How is Bobby Shriver related to the Kennedy family?

Bobby Shriver is the son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, making him a nephew of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Edward Kennedy. His father was Sargent Shriver, the first director of the Peace Corps.