Maria Menounos was born, June 8, 1978, Medford, Massachusetts, USA.
In 1995, she enrolled in beauty pageants.
IN 1996, she won the title of Miss Massachusetts Teen USA.
Studied at Boston's Emerson College.
Hired as a reporter for Channel One News.
Menounos made an independent film in 1999 called "George's Auto".
Joined "Entertainment Tonight" as a correspondent in 2002.
Menounos appeared in FHM magazine and in People magazine in 2004 as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People."
Menounos founded the charity "Take Action Hollywood!" after her trip to South Africa.
Reporting on the devastating effects of the AIDS crisis she was inspired to create TAH!, a charity that utilizes the power of the entertainment industry and the medium of film to affect for positive social change.
Maria also created the Cosmo Girl Cup, a national, annual competition and award given to the group of teens who do the most in their communities to affect for positive social change.