Anthony Shriver

Anthony Paul Kennedy Shriver, born on July 20, 1965, in Boston, Massachusetts, is an American activist known for his work with individuals with intellectual disabilities. He is the founder and chairman of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit organization established in 1989 that aims to provide social and employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Shriver is a member of the Kennedy family, being a nephew of notable figures including Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy. His mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded the Special Olympics, and his father, Sargent Shriver, Jr., was a founding director of the Peace Corps.

Educationally, Anthony Shriver graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School in 1984. He initially attended Brown University before transferring to Georgetown University, from which he graduated in 1988 with a double major in theology and history.

In his career, Shriver created Best Buddies International, a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes inclusion and employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Since its founding, the organization has expanded to over 1,500 chapters across six continents and 54 countries. The organization facilitates one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development programs.

In 2008, Shriver described the inclusive nature of Best Buddies, emphasizing participation at various levels—from volunteering and mentoring to employment and online engagement. The organization has established a global volunteer movement, encouraging broad community involvement.

In 2017, media coverage by the Boston Globe highlighted that donations from Best Buddies had been directed to Tom Brady’s personal charity. Since 2011, Tom Brady has served as a prominent supporter, helping to raise nearly $20 million for the organization, with some funds paying to Brady’s charitable trust. The same year, Best Buddies apologized after denying access to reporters at the Hyannis Port Challenge event at Harvard University.

Together with his brother Timothy, chairman of the Special Olympics, Anthony Shriver helped develop the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge event, which aims to promote acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Shriver has also been involved in the business sector as a director of UniCapital Corp since March 1998 and participated in the inaugural Forum of Young Global Leaders hosted by the World Economic Forum in 2005. He is a member of the board of directors of Level Brands.

In the political realm, Shriver is affiliated with the Democratic Party, like most of the Kennedy family. He considered running for Governor of Florida in 2006 and was reported to contemplate a similar run in 2010.

Personal details include his marriage to Alina Mojica on July 2, 1993, in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. The Shrivers resided in Miami Beach, Florida, until March 2020, and have five children: Edward Anthony "Teddy" Shriver, Eunice Julia Shriver, Francesca Maria "Chessy" Shriver, Carolina Fitzgerald "Caro" Kennedy Shriver, and John Joseph "Joey" Sargent Shriver. In November 2018, Anthony and Alina filed for divorce, and they sold their Miami Beach home in March 2020.