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Maria Shriver talked out about the high emphasis she placed on family—and the essential role her children's partners play in it—and expressed her admiration for her son-in-law, Chris Pratt.
During an appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast on May 27, the writer expressed sincere admiration for Pratt, who is married to her daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger.
"I'm so blessed with my son-in-law, who is so loving and spiritual, kind," Maria told me. "He's such a great husband and father, and he is such a great member of our family."
The affection she feels goes beyond Pratt. Maria also shared her delight at adding Abby Champion into the family. Abby, 28, is engaged to Maria's son Patrick Schwarzenegger, 31, in December 2023.
"It's extremely important," Maria explained.
"When children find partners, how do they fit in? How do you welcome those partners? How does everyone ensure that they make room? How do we open our hearts to ensure that we are a developing, inclusive, and loving family?"
As a proud mother of four—Katherine, Christina, 33, Patrick, and Christopher, 27—Maria pondered on her part in raising a close-knit family. She stated that as the matriarch, it is her "job" to assist promote that type of environment.
She added that when a sibling introduces them to someone wonderful, her children realize the value of being open to new family members.
"We've got to expand because our goal is to be welcoming," she told me, "and to be open and to keep communication going because you never want to put yourself in a place to make a brother or sister choose between their partner and their relationship with you."
"Family is everything," she explained simply.
That feeling of love and oneness appears to go both ways. Chris Pratt has also talked highly of Maria. Last May, the Guardians of the Galaxy star referred to his mother-in-law as "a living saint."
"She's funny, accessible, and brilliant," Chris said on Today. "She's quite interested in the lives of her children. She and Arnold have raised four lovely children. That is not always simple to do.
