Joined 'Entertainment Tonight' (1981) on April 30, 2002 as a correspondent, reporting on film, television, music and fashion.

Graduated from Emerson College in Boston.

Was an anchor on Channel One, a news program for school children usually played during the school day.

Worked as an international correspondent for Channel One News.

When a contestant in the Miss Teen USA Pageant in 1996, representing the state of Massachussetts, Miss Menounos was asked by pageant host Bob Goen what she would like to do when she 'grew up.' Her reponse was 'I want to work with you at E.T., Bob!'. Her wish came true when she joined 'Entertainment Tonight' (1981) six years later as a correspondent for the show. She also answers viewers' questions about celebrities at the E.T. website (etonline.com), where her page is called 'Maria's Mailbox'.

She is of Greek descent.