Former first lady of California Maria Shriver announced on Twitter and the "Today" show that she will join the NBC News team to focus on Women's Issues as a special anchor. This isn't Shriver's first time working with the network that's recently been known only by its bad press, after network executives' and Matt Lauer's roles in unceremoniously firing Ann Curry were brought to light.

Shriver worked with NBC's "Today" show in March, helping to cover papal news. In addition, Shriver worked at NBC News for nearly two decades, but left in 2004 to focus on her role as first lady of California.

In Shriver's new role as 'special anchor', she will focus on women's issues, including the "shifting roles, emerging power and evolving needs of women in modern life," said NBC in a statement.

Shriver's reports will appear across the NBC news affiliates, including CNBC, MSNBC and NBC Sports. She will also be the editor-at-large for women's issues across the digital properties of NBC, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Rumors have circulated that Shriver would join the "Today" show cast as a regular to help boost the stumbling morning show's ratings. "Today" lost its dominance over the genre to ABC's "Good Morning America" last year.

Shriver announced her new special anchor role at NBC news on Tuesday morning on Twitter. She tweeted:

I'm excited to be going forward with @nbcnews as a special anchor. mariashriver.com/blog/2013/04/g…

— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) April 30, 2013

The ex-wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger and mother of four will remain in Los Angeles. She will continue to work on her outside projects, such as HBO's documentary series The Alzheimer's Project, since the NBC deal is non-exclusive.

Shriver said in a statement, "I've always believed that television can inspire and elevate humanity, and that's my mission with this new partnership. I look forward to shining a light on all areas of woman's experience - from faith and finances, wellness and work, to relationships and the new realities of modern life - and exploring these issues in a way that brings the voices of men into these critically important conversations."

NBC Universal News Group chairman Pat Fili-Krushel said, "Through her reports, her books, her events, her activism and the powerful social community that she has built, Maria Shriver has become a leading voice for empowering women and inspiring all of us to be architects of change in our lives. We are delighted that Maria will play such a key role in our efforts to examine this important topic, and all of us at the NBC family are excited to welcome her home."