Bonnie Reiss, adviser to former Gov. Schwarzenegger, dies

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Bonnie Reiss, a regent for the University of California who was one of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s top advisers, has died. She was 62.

The Schwarzenegger Institute, where Reiss was director, says she died Monday in Malibu after battling cancer.

In a statement Tuesday, Schwarzenegger praised Reiss’ devotion to helping others and improving the world around her. She played a key role in crafting education and environmental policy during his administration. She later served as California’s education secretary.

A New York City native, Reiss attended law school in Washington, D.C., where she worked for Sen. Ted Kennedy. She befriended Kennedy’s niece, Maria Shriver, who went on to marry Schwarzenegger.

While practicing entertainment law in Los Angeles, Reiss helped found the Hollywood Women’s Political Committee, which raised money for liberal causes.