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.
Dolores Catania | |
|---|---|
 Catania at premiere of Breaking Points | |
| Born | Dolores Spagnola December 28, 1970 Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse |
Frank Catania II
(m. 1994; div. 1998) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editCatania 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 three sisters, Laura, Tonya, 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
editPrior 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 several independent projects, including Breaking Points and Around the Sun by Brad Forenza.[4][5]
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]
In June 2024, Catania was announced as one of the competitors of the Peacock reality competition series, The Traitors for the third season, which is set to premiere in 2025.[8]
Personal life
editDolores married Frank Catania on September 16, 1994. The pair have 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.[9]
In 2021, she began dating Paul "Paulie" Connell, the Dublin-born father of two sons, whom she met on a line at an Apple Store.[10] She moved into his home shortly after they began dating.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Dolores Catania Reveals Why Her Married Parents Chose to Live Separately". Bravo: Style and Living.
- ^ "Dolores Catania Breaks Down Her Impressive Résumé: What Careers Hasn't She Had?". Bravo: Daily Dish.
- ^ "Dolores Catania Organized Supply Donation For New Jersey Hospital During Coronavirus Outbreak". Reality Tea.
- ^ "RHONJ cast member Dolores Catania in local film with Ridgewood premiere". North Jersey Media.
- ^ Menzies, David (November 11, 2021). "Around the Sun' podcast series from Jersey City resident features quite an ensemble, including RHONJ Dolores Catania". Retrieved March 19, 2022.
- ^ "The Untold Truth Of Real Housewives Of New Jersey's Dolores Catania". The List.
- ^ "Your 2018 Real Housewives Awards Winners are..." Bravo: The Daily Dish.
- ^ Quinn, Dave (June 5, 2024). "The Traitors Season 3 Cast: Tom Sandoval, Chrishell Stause and Sam Asghari Among 21 Celebrity Players". People. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "RHONJ's Dolores Catania Is Dating Someone New Following Split From David: 'Gave Her All But Didn't Get the Same'". US Magazine.
- ^ "Who Is Dolores Catania's Boyfriend, Paul Connell? Meet the Entrepreneur". Bravo TV Official Site. 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ "Who Is Dolores Catania's Boyfriend? All About Paul 'Paulie' Connell". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-06-12.