Dolores Catania

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Dolores Catania
Dolores Catania.jpg
Catania at premiere of Breaking Points
Born
Dolores Spagnola

(1970-12-28) December 28, 1970 (age 51)
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation
  • Entrepreneur
  • philanthropist
  • television personality
Years active2009–present
Spouse(s)
Frank Catania II
​
(divorced)​
Children2

Dolores Catania (née Spagnola; born December 28, 1970) is an American television personality, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. She is best known as a main cast member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, appearing in that capacity since the show's seventh season in 2016.

Early life[]

Catania was born in Paterson, New Jersey to Lawrence and Valerie Spagnola. Her father is a former Paterson Chief of Police and her mother is a homemaker. She has two sisters, Laura and Valerie "Val", and a brother, Louis. She is of Italian and Irish descent.

Catania and her siblings were raised in Paterson along with her fellow Real Housewives of New Jersey co-star Teresa Giudice and Giudice's cousin and former cast member Kathy Wakile.

In season 11 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Dolores revealed that her parents have remained happily married, despite living separately since her father became Paterson's Chief of Police. [1]

Career[]

Prior to joining the Housewives, Dolores had been employed as a waitress, shampoo girl, corrections officer, realtor, and surgical assistant. [2] She actively owns a fitness franchise and flips houses with her ex-husband. She is a philanthropist, supporting many charitable causes (e.g., animal welfare and local relief efforts).[3] She has also appeared in independent film, including Breaking Points by Brad Forenza.[4]

In 2009, Dolores was asked to join season 1 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey but opted instead for guest appearances as a "friend" of the inaugural wives and was subsequently replaced by Caroline Manzo.[5] Outside of the show, she has maintained long-standing friendships with original cast members Teresa Giudice, Jacqueline Laurita, and Caroline Manzo. In 2016, Catania joined the main cast starting in season 7. Since joining the series her storylines have primarily focused on her romantic life, relationship with her ex, motherhood, self-discovery, loyalty, and independence and since joining has been ranked as one of the most relatable housewives[6] and was voted "Miss Congeniality" across the entire Real Housewives syndicate by Bravo fans in 2018.[7]

Personal life[]

Dolores was formerly married to Frank Catania with whom she has two children, Gabrielle "Gaby" (born 1995) and Frank "Frankie" III (born 1998). During her first season as Housewife, Catania disclosed that Frank had been unfaithful while she was nine months pregnant with Frankie, effectively ending their marriage.

In 2017, she started dating maternal-fetal medicine specialist David Principe. The two were introduced by Catania's friend and former co-star Siggy Flicker. The couple announced their split in December 2021.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ "Dolores Catania Reveals Why Her Married Parents Chose to Live Separately". Bravo: Style and Living.
  2. ^ "Dolores Catania Breaks Down Her Impressive Résumé: What Careers Hasn't She Had?". Bravo: Daily Dish.
  3. ^ "Dolores Catania Organized Supply Donation For New Jersey Hospital During Coronavirus Outbreak". Reality Tea.
  4. ^ "RHONJ cast member Dolores Catania in local film with Ridgewood premiere". North Jersey Media.
  5. ^ "Dolores Catania doesn't regret getting involved in 'RHONJ' drama". Page Six.
  6. ^ "The Untold Truth Of Real Housewives Of New Jersey's Dolores Catania". The List.
  7. ^ "Your 2018 Real Housewives Awards Winners are..." Bravo: The Daily Dish.
  8. ^ "RHONJ's Dolores Catania Is Dating Someone New Following Split From David: 'Gave Her All But Didn't Get the Same'". US Magazine.