You may know the name Jordan Belfort, the man behind The Wolf of Wall Street. His wild life of fast money, wild parties, and big mistakes became a hit movie. But before all the fame, before the yachts and headlines, there was a woman named Denise Lombardo — his first wife.
Denise Lombardo stayed by Jordan’s side before he became rich. She saw his ups and downs, helped him during tough times, and later, quietly walked away from all the chaos. While Jordan stayed in the spotlight, Denise chose peace and privacy.
Today, we’re going to talk about Denise Lombardo’s real story — her life before the fame, her marriage to Jordan Belfort, and what happened after everything fell apart. Get ready, because her story may surprise you.
Denise Lombardo Quick Bio
| Full Name | Denise Lombardo |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 1963 |
| Age (2026) | 62 years old |
| Birthplace | Ohio, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 5’2″ (157 cm) |
| Weight | 134 lbs (61 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Education | Adelphi, Towson, Australian Catholic Univ. |
| Job | Real estate agent, sales executive |
| Net Worth (2026) | $3 million (estimated) |
| Ex-Husband | Jordan Belfort |
| Current Husband | Nick Amato |
| Children | 3 sons – Brett, Nicolas, Matt |
| Lives In (2026) | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Known For | Jordan Belfort’s first wife |
Denise Lombardo’s Life Before the Fame
Before the world knew her as Jordan Belfort’s ex-wife, Denise Lombardo was just a young girl from Ohio, born on November 11, 1963. She grew up in a loving Italian-American family. Her father, Anthony Florito, and her mother, Ann Lombardo, gave her and her siblings a simple and steady life.
She wasn’t an actress or a model. She didn’t want the spotlight. She had three siblings — two sisters named Lisa and Deanna, and a brother named Paul. They were raised with strong values, and Denise always seemed to be the quiet, caring type.
Even from a young age, Denise was smart and curious. She worked hard in school and focused on building a better life — long before she ever met Jordan Belfort.
Education and Hard Work
Denise Lombardo always believed in working hard and studying well. She went to Bayside High School in Queens, New York. After that, she studied English Literature at Adelphi University and graduated in 1987.
But she didn’t stop there. She later joined Towson University and studied Business Administration and Science. Still not done, Denise went even further and got her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the Australian Catholic University.
She was the kind of woman who stayed focused on her goals. While others chased fast success, Denise took the slow and steady road — and that made all the difference.
How Denise Met Jordan Belfort
There are a couple of different stories about how Denise Lombardo and Jordan Belfort met. Some say they were high school sweethearts at Bayside High. Others say they met later, while Denise was working at a hair salon and Jordan came in selling meat and seafood.
In his own book, Jordan says he was trying to make a sale when he saw Denise and was “blown away” by her beauty. He even rushed home to get his red Porsche to impress her. It may sound funny, but it worked — she gave him a chance.
From there, the two started dating. Denise wasn’t after money or fame. She liked Jordan for who he was. They became close and slowly built a bond. At that time, Jordan didn’t have much. He was just a young man trying to find his way.
The Marriage of Denise Lombardo and Jordan Belfort
In 1985, Denise and Jordan got married. It was long before The Wolf of Wall Street life began. They didn’t have fancy cars or big houses. In fact, they lived in a small apartment and struggled like many young couples do.
Denise supported Jordan through thick and thin. When his seafood business failed, she stood by him. When he went bankrupt at just 25, she didn’t leave. She believed in him and encouraged him to try something new.
That “something new” turned out to be stocks. And it changed everything — both for better and for worse.
Life During the Rise of The Wolf of Wall Street
Once Jordan entered the stock market, things moved fast. He joined L.F. Rothschild as a trainee stockbroker, and even though the job didn’t last long, it opened his eyes to big money.
Soon, he met Danny Porush, and together they started Stratton Oakmont — the company that would later bring in millions through “pump and dump” stock fraud.
While all of this was happening, Denise was still there. But things were changing. Jordan’s life turned into parties, drugs, and wild spending. The man she married was slowly becoming someone else.
You can imagine how hard that must have been — watching the person you love lose himself to greed.
Why Denise Lombardo and Jordan Belfort Divorced
The real breaking point came when Jordan Belfort cheated on Denise with a model named Nadine Caridi. Jordan later wrote in his book that he cheated on Denise “dozens of times”, and he deeply regretted it.
He said Denise had stood by him when he had nothing, and now he was walking away just because he could. It hurt her. And it was public — all over the newspapers. People pointed fingers and called her “the wife who got traded in.”
They divorced in 1991. Denise didn’t fight, didn’t make a scene. She just quietly walked away — with grace and strength. Jordan himself admitted, “I should’ve been horsewhipped for what I did to Denise.”
Denise Lombardo in The Wolf of Wall Street Movie
When The Wolf of Wall Street movie came out in 2013, people all over the world watched the crazy rise and fall of Jordan Belfort. The movie showed his wild lifestyle, fast money, and broken relationships. But what about Denise Lombardo?
In the film, actress Cristin Milioti played a character named Teresa Petrillo, who was based on Denise. But Denise didn’t want her real name used in the movie. She wanted to stay out of the spotlight — and she did.
Cristin later said in interviews that she never got to meet Denise. She also said she wished she could hear Denise’s side of the story. The movie showed how Jordan left his first wife for a younger model. But it didn’t show how much pain that caused Denise — or how strong she was afterward.
Where Is Denise Lombardo Now?
After her divorce from Jordan Belfort, Denise Lombardo disappeared from the public eye. She didn’t do interviews or post online. She didn’t try to become famous or rich off her past. She simply moved on — quietly.
Today, she lives in Washington, D.C. and works as a licensed real estate agent. She also works in flooring and sales. Even after all the attention from the movie, Denise chose to live a peaceful, private life.
She stayed focused on her career, her family, and her future. While Jordan built a brand from his past, Denise built a better life away from it all.
Denise Lombardo’s New Marriage and Family
A few years after the divorce, Denise Lombardo got married again. Her new husband’s name is Nick Amato, and together they have three sons: Brett, Nicolas, and Matt.
Denise found love again — the calm kind. Not the wild, public kind she once had with Jordan. She raised her boys away from cameras, fame, and drama.
It’s clear that Denise values family and peace more than fame or money. And after everything she went through, it’s easy to understand why.
Denise Lombardo’s Career Success
Denise is more than just Jordan Belfort’s ex-wife. She is a smart, hardworking woman who built a career all on her own.
She started in medical sales and worked for Modern Medical Systems for seven years. She later worked for Smith & Nephew, and even in fashion, helping brands like Genny-Byblos and Stefano Bravo.
In 2010, she found her true passion — real estate. She became a licensed agent with Douglas Elliman in New York. She also works at The Home Depot as a flooring expert.
Denise proved that you can start again, even after heartbreak.
Denise Lombardo’s Net Worth and Private Lifestyle
Many people wonder how much money Denise Lombardo has today. While exact numbers are private, sources say her net worth is around $3 million.
Most of her money came from her own work — not from her ex-husband. She may have received a divorce settlement, but it was her career that kept her going.
Denise does not use social media. She doesn’t post pictures or chase likes. She stays private, happy, and focused on what really matters — her family and her peace.
Final Thoughts
Denise Lombardo’s story is not about money or fame. It’s about strength, grace, and moving forward. She married Jordan Belfort when he had nothing, stood by him during his rise, and walked away when things fell apart.
While Jordan became the “Wolf of Wall Street,” Denise stayed the woman with dignity and heart. She didn’t fight for headlines. She chose a better life — one she built with love, effort, and quiet power.
In a world full of noise, Denise Lombardo’s story reminds us that true success isn’t loud — sometimes, it’s private.
(FAQs)
How much money does Denise Lombardo have, and did she get money after the divorce?
Denise Lombardo is worth about $3 million in 2026. She did get money after her divorce from Jordan Belfort, but no one knows the exact amount because she kept it private.
How old is Denise Lombardo, and when is her birthday?
Denise Lombardo was born on November 11, 1963. In 2026, she is 62 years old.
Does Denise Lombardo have children?
Yes. Denise Lombardo has three sons. Their names are Brett, Nicolas, and Matt. She keeps her kids away from the public eye.
Who is Denise Lombardo married to now?
Denise Lombardo is married to Nick Amato. They have been together for many years and live a calm, private life.
Where is Denise Lombardo now in 2026?
In 2026, Denise Lombardo lives in Washington, D.C. She works in real estate and flooring sales and stays away from fame and social media.
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