Where Is Denise Lombardo, Jordan Belfort’s Ex-Wife, Today?

When people hear the name Jordan Belfort, they often think about wild parties, fast cars, and the famous movie The Wolf of Wall Street. But before all that chaos began, there was Denise Lombardo — his first wife.

Denise was with Jordan during his early days, long before he became famous or wealthy. She supported him when he was just trying to make a living. While Jordan’s life became public and wild, Denise chose a private and peaceful path.

In this article, we’ll explore who Denise Lombardo really is, how she met Jordan Belfort, what happened in their marriage, and where she is today in 2025. You’ll discover the full story of the woman many people forgot — but who played a big part in Jordan’s early life.

Denise Lombardo Quick Bio

Who Is Denise Lombardo?

Denise Lombardo is an American real estate agent and former sales executive. But most people know her as Jordan Belfort’s ex-wife — the man whose wild Wall Street life became a movie.

She was there in the beginning, helping Jordan during his struggles. She lived a normal, simple life while he dreamed of becoming rich. Denise never wanted the spotlight. That’s why even after all the fame around The Wolf of Wall Street, she stayed quiet.

Even though she’s now away from the media, many people still ask, “Where is Denise Lombardo now?” and “What really happened after her divorce from Jordan?”

Her Early Life

Denise was born on November 11, 1963, in Ohio, USA. As of 2025, she is 62 years old. She grew up in a loving and humble family with Italian-American roots.

Her father is Anthony Florito, and her mother is Ann Lombardo. Denise was raised alongside her three siblings — two sisters, Lisa and Deanna, and a brother named Paul. From a young age, she was known to be smart, kind, and very down-to-earth.

Unlike many people connected to celebrities, Denise always kept her life simple and private. She never chased fame — not even when her name appeared in newspapers during Jordan’s rise and fall.

Denise Lombardo’s Education Journey

Denise was always focused on education. She first attended Bayside High School, where she was known as a bright student. After high school, she went on to study English Literature at Adelphi University, graduating in 1987.

But she didn’t stop there. She also studied Business Administration and Science at Towson University in Maryland. Later, she earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Australian Catholic University.

All of this shows how hardworking Denise is. She didn’t just rely on her connection to Jordan. She worked on her education and built her own life step by step.

How Did Denise Lombardo Meet Jordan Belfort?

There are two popular stories about how Denise met Jordan. One version says they were high school classmates at Bayside High School. Another version, which Jordan shared in his own book, says they met when he was working as a meat and seafood salesman.

According to Jordan, he walked into a hair salon to sell meat, and that’s where he saw Denise. He said he was “blown away” by her beauty. He tried hard to get her number and even rushed home to get his red Porsche to impress her.

No matter which version is true, one thing is clear: they fell in love before the money and fame. They got married in 1985, when Jordan was still struggling financially. Denise was with him during those tough early days.

Life as Jordan Belfort’s First Wife

Denise and Jordan started their married life in a tiny apartment in Queens, New York. Back then, they didn’t have much. Jordan was still trying to figure out his career, and Denise supported him through it all.

She stood by him while he worked long hours. She saw him fail, start over, and slowly climb the ladder in the finance world. Denise was the quiet strength behind him. Jordan even said in his book that she was a “great wife” and that he didn’t deserve to treat her the way he did.

But as Jordan’s business grew, his lifestyle started to change. The money came fast — and so did the parties, drugs, and affairs. The simple life they once shared began to fall apart.

Why Denise Lombardo and Jordan Belfort Divorced

Jordan’s rise on Wall Street came with a lot of trouble. He started cheating, partying, and spending more time with models than with Denise. One of those women was Nadine Caridi, who later became his second wife.

Denise found out about the affair. It hurt her deeply. People whispered about her, saying Jordan left her for a younger model. The newspapers were cruel, and Denise was painted as the woman who got left behind.

She was only 25 at the time, but the way the media talked about her made it feel like she was much older. In 1991, after six years of marriage, Denise decided to leave. It was a brave choice, and it showed how strong she really was.

Did Denise Lombardo Get Money After the Divorce?

After the divorce, many people wondered if Denise Lombardo received anything from Jordan Belfort. While the exact amount is not known, it is believed that she got a large settlement.

Some reports say Jordan gave her a lump sum of money and even paid her $50,000 per month for a while. But Denise never talked about it in public. She stayed quiet and didn’t use her ex-husband’s name for attention.

This shows that Denise didn’t care about fame or drama. She just wanted peace and a fresh start away from the spotlight.

Denise Lombardo’s Career After the Divorce

Instead of chasing fame, Denise focused on building her own life. She started working in different jobs to support herself. First, she worked as a sales executive at a company called Modern Medical Systems from 1993 to 2000.

Later, she worked at Smith & Nephew as a company representative. Since 2000, she has also been a flooring specialist at The Home Depot, showing her hard work and dedication.

In 2010, she became a licensed real estate agent at Prudential Douglas Elliman, a well-known real estate company. Denise worked her way up and built a stable, independent life.

Is Denise Lombardo Married Now?

Yes, Denise Lombardo is married again. Her husband’s name is Nick Amato. They got married around 1994, just a few years after her divorce from Jordan Belfort.

Not much is known about Nick, because he also stays away from the media. Just like Denise, he seems to enjoy a simple and quiet life. The two have kept their relationship very private, which is probably why it’s so strong today.

Even after everything that happened, Denise found love again — but this time, without all the noise.

Does Denise Lombardo Have Children?

Yes, Denise is a mother of three. She and Nick Amato have three sons: Brett, Nicolas, and Matt.

She has always kept her family life private. But it’s clear that being a mother is very important to her. She raised her children away from the media, giving them a normal and calm life.

In a world where people often chase attention, Denise chose to protect her family’s peace — and that says a lot about her values.

Where Is Denise Lombardo Today?

As of 2025, Denise Lombardo is living in Washington, D.C., in the United States. She continues to work as a real estate agent and sales executive.

She’s also still listed as a flooring specialist at Home Depot, showing she enjoys staying active and working hard. Even though her name is tied to a famous story, Denise lives a quiet and private life.

She doesn’t use social media and never gives interviews. While her ex-husband is all over the internet, Denise prefers real life over online fame.

Denise Lombardo in The Wolf of Wall Street Movie

In the 2013 movie The Wolf of Wall Street, Denise Lombardo’s character was changed for privacy. In the film, her name is “Teresa Petrillo,” played by actress Cristin Milioti.

Even though she was a big part of Jordan’s early story, Denise didn’t want her real name used. She stayed silent and never commented on the movie after it came out.

The actress who played her said she wished she could hear Denise’s side of the story. Many people forget that Denise was just 25 when the tabloids wrote hurtful things about her. She went through a lot but never tried to clear her name in public. That shows real strength.

Final Thoughts

Denise Lombardo may not be a celebrity, but her story is powerful. She was Jordan Belfort’s first wife, the woman who stood beside him before the money and madness.

Even after the betrayal and media noise, Denise moved forward with grace and quiet strength. She built her own career, raised a loving family, and chose peace over attention.

In 2025, Denise Lombardo is a reminder that you don’t need to be loud to be strong. Sometimes, the strongest people are the ones who walk away quietly and rebuild their lives on their own terms.

(FAQs)

How old is Denise Lombardo now?

Denise Lombardo was born on November 11, 1963, which makes her 62 years old in 2025.

Does Denise Lombardo have any kids?

Yes! She has three sons — Brett, Nicolas, and Matt — with her second husband, Nick Amato.

What is Denise Lombardo’s net worth in 2025?

Her estimated net worth is around $3 million, built from her real estate career and divorce settlement from Jordan Belfort.

Did Denise Lombardo know about Nadine Caridi?

Yes. Denise reportedly found out about Jordan’s affair with Nadine Caridi, which led to their divorce in 1991.

Was Denise Lombardo in The Wolf of Wall Street?

Her character was shown under a fake name (Teresa Petrillo) in the movie. She refused to use her real name to stay out of the spotlight.