Diane Addonizio is an American lawyer, best known as the wife of Howie Long, a retired NFL player, actor, advertising model and football analyst. Addonizio's popularity is largely through her marriage to Howie Long and few people actually know her from her profession.
She has contributed greatly to Howie Long's career success by sacrificing her own career in favour of taking care of the family. She is well known to many as the wife of Howie Long and the very supportive mother of three sons, all of which are involved in the NFL.
Addonizio and her husband are still together after nearly four decades and has become a reference point for celebrity marriages that have passed the test of time. Here are five interesting facts about Diane Addonizio.
Diane Addonizio grew up in New Jersey
Diane Addonizio was born to Frank Addonizio and Maria Cecere in 1962. She was born in Monmouth County town of Red Bank, New Jersey, USA. Her father was a war veteran and former Security Director while her mother was a homemaker. Diane's only sibling, a brother named James Addonizio is a practising lawyer.
Meanwhile, there is little information about her early Education but it is well known that she graduated from the Villanova University in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, US where she majored in Classical Studies and then proceeded to the University of Southern California (USC) School of Law from where she obtained her law degree.
Diane Addonizio met her husband in College
Diane Addonizio and Howie Long were high school sweethearts who went on to marry. They first came in contact with each other in the 1970s at the University of Villanova where they were both students with only a year between them. Their first date was actually in Long's dorm room where he asked her over to watch an NFL game.
They became really close afterwards and dated throughout school, and tied the knot shortly after Long's graduation in 1981. The wedding took place on the 27th of June 1982 in the presence of close family and friends.
Addonizio never really practised her profession but spent her time raising her kids and taking her family. Although she dabbled into business and is involved in various charities, she is most popular as a result of her husband and children's successful careers.
Addonizio's husband was a star NFL player
Howie Long was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2000 which shows he was an incredible defensive end player during his time with the Raiders where he spent all his career.
Born on January 6, 1960, in Somerville Massachusetts but raised in Charleston Boston, Long attended Milford High school where he was an all-round athletes champion. Upon graduation, he moved on to the Villanova University where he was a member of the Football team, the wildcats. He was picked by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft and played 13 seasons with them, and earning them eight Pro Bowl selections in the process. He also helped the Los Angeles Raiders to a win in the Super Bowl XVII Championship of 1984.
He later joined Fox News after his retirement and also pursued a career in acting.
Diane Addonizio's has three famous children
Diane Addonizio shares three sons with her husband- Chris, Kyle and Howie Jr - and it's safe to say that football runs in their gene as they have followed their father's footsteps into the game. Her first son Chris, (born in 1985) is the second overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft and a retired defensive end player. He has won the SuperBowl twice, first with the New England Patriots and then with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Moreover, their second son Kyle Long was born in 1988 and played College football for the University of Oregon. He later joined the 2013 draft where he was selected in the first round. He is a retired defensive end player for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. The youngest of the lot Howie Jr was born in 1990. He is not a player but he works with the Raiders as a member of the player personnel team.
Diane Addonizio's Net Worth
Having opted out of the law practice, Diane Addonizio chose to go into business which afforded a more flexible routine so she could have time for her family. She has made some appreciable income that has put her net worth at about a million dollars. Her husband's net worth is also estimated to be around $16 million. The couple resides in a $6 million luxury mansion in Virginia.
The mother of three and a grandmother is the author of a book, “He’s Just My Dad!” which was released in 2000. She spends her money on various charities and has worked in the NFL Head UP Football Advisory Committee.
Diane Addonizio is a strong supporter of her husband's and children's career and is often seen watching them play. She and her husband are not active on Social media probably because they want to live a private life but they can be seen together on the red carpets on major events and functions.