Dina Manzo Biography

Dina Manzo is a family woman, a business owner, and the founder of the non-profit organization Project Ladybug. She has learned to balance her career as a designer and owner of the successful event planning company, Designer Affair, without taking any time away from raising her beautiful teenage daughter, Lexi. Dina is a loving wife to her husband Tommy who co-owns The Brownstone, one of New Jersey's premiere catering facilities. She calls her husband the love of her life and they have been happily married for more than five years. Dina is extremely passionate about her foundation, Project Ladybug, and is dedicated to giving back to children with cancer. Her goal is to have Ladybug funds in hospitals across the country so children everywhere could feel the positive effects of such an amazing organization.

Claudine “Dina” Manzo (née Laurita) (born March 7, 1971) is a mother, interior decorator, and the founder of the non-profit organization, Project Ladybug. She and her family live in the affluent town of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. She has been married to Tommy Manzo, co-owner of the event and catering facility The Brownstone, since 2006. Manzo is her second husband. Tommy’s brother and business partner Albert is the husband of Dina’s older sister and cast mate, Caroline, making the two also sisters-in-law. Their wedding was featured on the VH1 television show My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding. Dina has a daughter, Alexia (“Lexi”, born on January 25, 1996) from her previous marriage to George Hadjiapostoli (co-owner of Nisha nail salon in Wayne, New Jersey). Season 1 focuses on the struggles Dina, like many other mothers, faces as Alexia grows up. Dina’s foundation, Project Ladybug, is dedicated to supporting St.Joseph’s Hospital Paterson and helping children with cancer. An event for the charity was featured in Season 1. Manzo’s husband, Tommy, asked to not participate in the show; her daughter, Lexi, was featured in season 1, but does not appear on Dina’s graphic on the opening theme in season 2.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DINA MANZO'S CRAZY WEDDING

Dina was constantly in conflict with troublesome cast mate, Danielle Staub, throughout Season 1. After filming, the two experienced an even larger falling out than any previously featured on the show. The issue was mentioned on the reunion show by a sobbing Caroline, but at Dina’s behest, no details were given. It is revealed in the Season 2 reunion, that Danielle supposedly attempted to get Lexi taken away from Dina.

In 2010, Dina produced the return of the Off-Broadway comedy, My Big Gay Italian Wedding at the St. Luke’s Theatre in New York City.

Dina left the show in the middle of the second season, purportedly to avoid further conflict with Staub. Bravo announced that they would not be replacing Dina this season.  However, Dina reappeared in Season 2 for the christening of her goddaughter, Teresa Giudice’s newborn daughter, Audriana  She did not, however, appear on the second season’s reunion show, although it was stated that Dina left the show due to Danielle’s alleged attempt to get Dina’s child Lexi taken away from her, which is what enraged Caroline at the season 1 reunion show. Staub has denied these claims.