Sargent Shriver on the cover of Time magazine

In recognition of his long public service and advocacy for the low income communities, people with developmental disabilities, and his work in establishing the Peace Corps,  President Bill Clinton awarded Shriver in 1994 the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Shriver never won political office though was mentioned as possible candidate for governor in his homestate of Maryland and the list of potential vice presidential nominees in 1964 and 1968.

He was selected by United States Senator George McGovern in August 1972 to replace Missouri Senator Tom Eagleton as the Democratic vice presidential nominee who was forced to step down after it was disclosed publicly he had electric shock therapy years before his nomination.

McGovern/Shriver lost to Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew in a landslide defeat, winning only Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.