Who Is Jordan Belfort’s First Wife?
Long before the world knew him as the “Wolf of Wall Street,” Jordan Belfort was married to a woman who stood by him through his initial struggles. That woman is Denise Lombardo, a figure who has largely remained in the shadows despite her connection to one of modern finance’s most infamous personalities.
While the film “The Wolf of Wall Street” offered a glimpse into their lives through the character Teresa Petrillo, the real story of Denise Lombardo is one of resilience and quiet dignity. She remains a person of interest for those curious about the woman who knew Belfort before the chaos and corruption.
Early Life and Background of Denise Lombardo
Denise Lombardo was born on November 11, 1963, in Ohio. Raised in a close-knit family, she grew up far from the extravagant world she would later encounter. Her educational journey was impressive and showcased her ambition from a young age.
After attending Bayside High School in Queens, New York, Lombardo pursued higher education, earning multiple degrees. She obtained a Bachelor’s in English Literature from Adelphi University and later studied Business Administration at Towson University, eventually earning a Master’s degree. Before her path crossed with Belfort’s, she was building her own career, reportedly working in a hair salon.
How Denise Lombardo Met Jordan Belfort
Accounts of their first meeting vary. Some sources suggest they were high school sweethearts, while Belfort himself claimed he met her while working as a meat and seafood salesman on Long Island. According to his memoir, he was instantly captivated by her beauty and pursued her relentlessly.
This persistence paid off, and the couple married in 1985. During these early years, their life was far from glamorous. Lombardo supported Belfort as he struggled to find his footing, even as he faced bankruptcy at the young age of 25.
Marriage During the Rise of the Wolf of Wall Street
Lombardo was a constant presence as Belfort pivoted from a struggling salesman to a trainee stockbroker. She was with him when he founded his notorious firm, Stratton Oakmont, in 1988, the vehicle for his massive “pump and dump” scheme.
As Belfort’s wealth and power grew, their relationship began to change. While he descended into a world of excess, drugs, and wild parties, Lombardo reportedly remained a grounding force, once asking him why he couldn’t just get a normal job. However, the foundation of their marriage was about to crumble under the weight of Belfort’s infidelity.
The Divorce That Ended Their Marriage
The final straw in their relationship was Belfort’s affair with model Nadine Caridi. In his own words, Belfort admitted to cheating on Lombardo “dozens of times” before she finally discovered the truth. The revelation led to their painful and public divorce in 1991.
Belfort has since expressed deep regret for his actions, stating, “I should’ve been horsewhipped for what I did to Denise.” He acknowledged the immense pain the public scandal caused her, as newspapers painted her as a woman being traded in for a younger model. For Lombardo, the divorce marked the end of a tumultuous chapter.
Life After Jordan Belfort: Denise Lombardo Today
After divorcing Belfort, Denise Lombardo deliberately stepped away from the media circus and forged her own path. She remarried a few years later to her husband, Nick Amato, and together they built a family, raising three children. She successfully channeled her academic background and drive into a new career.
Today, Denise Lombardo is a successful real estate agent and sales executive, with an estimated net worth of around $3 million. By choosing a life of privacy, she not only protected herself and her family but also demonstrated a profound strength and independence, defining her life on her own terms, far from the shadow of her ex-husband.
Denise Lombardo in The Wolf of Wall Street Film
In Martin Scorsese’s 2013 film, the character of Teresa Petrillo, played by actress Cristin Milioti, was based on Denise Lombardo. The film portrays her as a supportive wife who acts as a voice of reason before being cast aside for a model, a depiction that aligns with the basic facts of the story.
However, Milioti did not have access to the real Denise Lombardo while preparing for the role, and Lombardo herself has never publicly commented on the film or its accuracy. Her silence stands in stark contrast to Belfort’s continued presence in the public eye, highlighting her commitment to a private life built on her own achievements.
