Maria Menounos Biography Quotes 22 Report mistakes

Early Life and Education
Maria Menounos was born on June 8, 1978, in Medford, Massachusetts, to Greek immigrant parents, Costas and Litsa Menounos. Raised in a close-knit family that preserved Greek language and traditions, she grew up navigating two cultures and developed an early curiosity about storytelling and performance. At Medford High School she participated in activities that sharpened her communication skills, then went on to Emerson College in Boston, where she studied broadcast journalism. At Emerson, she immersed herself in hands-on media production, building the reporting, writing, and on-camera skills that would define her career.

Pageants and Early Reporting
In 1996, Menounos won the title of Miss Massachusetts Teen USA and went on to place in the Top 15 at Miss Teen USA, gaining national exposure and early experience in public appearances and interviews. She soon moved into journalism, working for Channel One News, where she reported on stories that reached classrooms across the United States. The daily discipline of news gathering and on-air delivery prepared her for the larger entertainment news platforms that would follow.

Breaking into Entertainment Journalism
Menounos joined Entertainment Tonight in the early 2000s, covering premieres, awards shows, and high-profile interviews. The role introduced her to a global audience and positioned her as a versatile correspondent who could handle breaking news and lighthearted celebrity segments with equal ease. She later moved to Access Hollywood, broadening her reach through field reporting and special coverage tied to film, television, and music. In 2011 she became a co-host at Extra, working closely with Mario Lopez; the program went on to earn Daytime Emmy recognition during her tenure. In 2014, she joined E! News as co-anchor alongside Jason Kennedy, hosting nightly broadcasts and live specials until stepping away in 2017.

International Hosting and Live Television
Her ability to command live television was on display when she co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens with artist Sakis Rouvas, a role that showcased her poise under pressure and international appeal. She also returned frequently to red carpets and live specials, where quick thinking and a personable interviewing style became her trademarks.

Acting and On-Screen Appearances
While building a broadcasting career, Menounos pursued acting roles in film and television. She appeared in the comic-book blockbuster Fantastic Four and starred opposite Jamie Kennedy in the comedy Kickin It Old Skool. Television viewers saw her in guest spots and cameos, including appearances as herself, which played off her public persona and industry connections. The balancing act between acting and journalism reinforced her reputation as a multi-hyphenate able to shift between genres.

Reality Television and Competition Shows
In 2012, Menounos competed on Dancing with the Stars, partnering with Derek Hough. The duo earned praise for athletic, ambitious routines and finished in fourth place after a season that highlighted her competitive drive and resilience. The experience further broadened her appeal beyond entertainment news.

Sports Entertainment
A longtime fan of professional wrestling, Menounos appeared with WWE as a guest host and competitor. At WrestleMania XXVIII in 2012, she teamed in a tag match and won, demonstrating her willingness to train rigorously and perform in demanding, high-profile settings. Her crossover appearances helped connect entertainment media audiences to sports entertainment.

Entrepreneurship and Digital Media
Menounos and her longtime partner, producer Keven Undergaro, co-founded AfterBuzz TV, a pioneering digital broadcast network that popularized the after-show format for television series. The venture became a hub for fan communities and up-and-coming hosts, producers, and commentators, with Menounos serving as both executive and on-air mentor. Her embrace of digital platforms positioned her early in the shift toward streaming and social-driven content.

Authorship and Lifestyle Guidance
As an author, Menounos shared practical advice on organization, career building, fitness, and wellness. Her EveryGirls Guide series, including The EveryGirls Guide to Life and The EveryGirls Guide to Diet and Fitness, distilled her experiences navigating Hollywood schedules, health challenges, and personal goals into accessible tips and routines. The books extended her relationship with audiences beyond the screen and into everyday life.

Health Challenges and Advocacy
In 2017, Menounos was diagnosed with a benign meningioma. She underwent successful brain surgery performed by neurosurgeon Dr. Keith Black, publicly sharing her diagnosis and recovery to encourage others to seek answers to persistent symptoms and to destigmatize conversations around neurological health. Her mother, Litsa, was diagnosed with brain cancer and later passed away in 2021, a loss that shaped Menounos public advocacy for caregivers and patients facing serious illness.

In 2023, she revealed she had undergone surgery to remove a pancreatic tumor, a rare neuroendocrine growth. Having previously managed a diagnosis of diabetes, she used her platform to discuss prevention, second opinions, and the importance of self-advocacy in the medical system. These experiences informed the evolution of her wellness broadcasting, with interviews and podcasts focused on resilience, science-based strategies, and compassionate caregiving.

Personal Life
Menounos met Keven Undergaro in her early career, and the two developed both a creative partnership and a long-term relationship. They married on live television during a New Years Eve broadcast in 2017, with Steve Harvey officiating, and later celebrated a second ceremony in Greece to include extended family. In 2023, they welcomed their daughter, Athena, by surrogate, a milestone Menounos spoke about with gratitude after years of health hurdles and caregiving responsibilities. Family has remained central: she frequently honors the memory and influence of her mother, Litsa, and credits her father, Costas, with instilling perseverance and work ethic.

Legacy and Impact
Maria Menounos built a career at the intersection of journalism, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and wellness advocacy. From Miss Massachusetts Teen USA to the anchor desk at E! News, from co-hosting Eurovision with Sakis Rouvas to competing with Derek Hough on Dancing with the Stars, she navigated high-visibility roles with a combination of preparation and warmth. Through AfterBuzz TV, she nurtured a generation of digital broadcasters. Through her books and health-focused programs, she reframed personal setbacks as public service, encouraging audiences to prioritize their health and to build community. Supported by collaborators like Mario Lopez and Jason Kennedy and grounded by family, including Keven Undergaro and their daughter, Athena, Menounos has remained a resilient, adaptive presence in American media.

Our collection contains 22 quotes who is written by Maria, under the main topics: Honesty & Integrity - Sarcastic - Success - Pet Love - Movie.