Dina Matos and James McGreevey Marriage Profile
What You Can Learn from the McGreevey's Failed Marriage:
What you can learn from the failed marriage of the McGreeveys is that if you have doubts about your future spouse, listen to your gut feelings.
The fairy tale marriage of James and Dina McGreevey quickly came to an end when he announced his gay affair in August 2004.
Although some felt sympathy for McGreevey for having to lie throughout his life, little was said about the sense of betrayal, pain, shock, shame, and confusion that Dina probably felt.
Here's information about the marriage and separation of James and Dina McGreevey. Information about McGreevey's partner, Mark O'Donnell, is included.
Born:
James E. McGreevey: August 6, 1957 in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Dina Matos: 1966 in Cantanhede, Portugal.
How Jim and Dina Met and Wedding Information:
They met in 1996, when McGreevey was setting up interviews with a Portuguese-language newspaper and TV program. Although they began dating, they kept their relationship quiet during his 1997 campaign for governor.
Eight months after their engagement, Jim and Dina were married in 2000 by a priest in a small, private, traditional, afternoon ceremony.
The reception was at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C.
James Kennedy was best man at the wedding. Dina wore a white strapless wedding gown.
3/17/08: Amid allegations of a threesome relationship between Dina, Jim, and another man, the "acrimonious" divorce between Dina and Jim continued. Dina denied the allegations.
Source: Angela Delli Santi. SFGate.com.
"When they were divorced last month, the judge awarded Matos $1,075 a month in child support but no alimony. She also ruled that McGreevey owes his ex about $109,000, representing half their joint assets."
Source: "Wife of former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey drops fraud claim." NYDailyNews.com.
"Besides finances, the other unresolved issue is whether McGreevey committed fraud by marrying Matos McGreevey. She claims she was duped into marrying a gay man who needed the cover of a wife to advance his political career. He said she knew their union was "a contrivance on both our parts."
Source: McGreevey's wife: Spent savings on lavish wedding." USAToday.com. 5/28/2008.
Children:
James has two daughters.
Scandal:
With his wife and parents standing beside him, Governor Jim McGreevey announced on August 12, 2004, that he was gay, that he had a consensual homosexual adulterous affair, and was resigning effective November 15, 2004.
Golan Cipel, an Israeli citizen appointed by McGreevey as New Jersey's homeland security aide threatened McGreevey with a sexual harassment lawsuit.
Occupations:
James: Participant in HBO film Fall to Grace, spiritual counselor to female inmates, part-time teaching a graduate-level leadership course at Kean University, author of The Confession, Middlesex County assistant prosecutor, executive director of the state parole board, a senior-level position for Merck & Company, state assemblyman from 1990-1991, state senator from 1994 to 1997, in 1992-2001 Mayor of Woodbridge, Governor of New Jersey, January 15, 2002 to November, 2004.
Dina: Author of Silent Partner, former manager of Public and Professional Relations at Saint James Hospital, director of public relations and marketing at Columbus Hospital, Executive Director of the Columbus Hospital Foundation in Newark, New Jersey.
Residence:
In October, 2004, Dina Matos McGreevey purchased a three-bedroom, red brick ranch home in Springfield, New Jersey.
James and Mark purchased a historic $1.4 Million mansion in Plainfield, New Jersey. The 92-year-old Georgian Colonial home on 1.7 acres has 8 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 5 fireplaces, solarium, swimming pool, and butler's pantry. The gardens were designed by the creator of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted.
Source: NJ.com
Source: NY Post
Mark about his relationship with McGreevey: "Jim and I have a healthy, loving, committed relationship which we share with our family and friends."
Source: NY Daily News
James on announcing his affair with another man: "It was wrong. It was foolish. It was inexcusable. And for this, I ask the forgiveness and the grace of my wife. She has been extraordinary throughout this ordeal, and I am blessed by virtue of her love and strength."
Source: CNN
Pedro, friend of Dina, about Dina's first meeting with James: "In a little while, he came to ask if he could join us. The look on his face said everything. He was taken. He couldn't take his eyes off her."
Source: NJ.com
James concerning his divorce from Kari: "Growing up in an almost quaint community, Kari was not ready for the rough and tumble of government and politics."
Source: Boston.com, 2004/08/13
Quotes from James McGreevey's 9/19/2006 Oprah Winfrey Interview
What you can learn from the failed marriage of the McGreeveys is that if you have doubts about your future spouse, listen to your gut feelings.
Dina: "I missed the signs ... And I never saw it coming."
Dina Matos McGreevey. Silent Partner: A Memoir of My Marriage. 2007.
The fairy tale marriage of James and Dina McGreevey quickly came to an end when he announced his gay affair in August 2004.
Although some felt sympathy for McGreevey for having to lie throughout his life, little was said about the sense of betrayal, pain, shock, shame, and confusion that Dina probably felt.
Here's information about the marriage and separation of James and Dina McGreevey. Information about McGreevey's partner, Mark O'Donnell, is included.
Fast Marriage Facts - James and Dina
Met: 1996.
Married: 2000.
Announce Gay Affair: 2004.
Divorced: 2008.
First Marriage: No.
Did You Know?
She initially said James committed fraud when he married her.
Born:
James E. McGreevey: August 6, 1957 in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Dina Matos: 1966 in Cantanhede, Portugal.
How Jim and Dina Met and Wedding Information:
They met in 1996, when McGreevey was setting up interviews with a Portuguese-language newspaper and TV program. Although they began dating, they kept their relationship quiet during his 1997 campaign for governor.
Eight months after their engagement, Jim and Dina were married in 2000 by a priest in a small, private, traditional, afternoon ceremony.
The reception was at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C.
James Kennedy was best man at the wedding. Dina wore a white strapless wedding gown.
Separation and Divorce:
The divorce of James and Dina was finalized in August 2008.3/17/08: Amid allegations of a threesome relationship between Dina, Jim, and another man, the "acrimonious" divorce between Dina and Jim continued. Dina denied the allegations.
Source: Angela Delli Santi. SFGate.com.
"When they were divorced last month, the judge awarded Matos $1,075 a month in child support but no alimony. She also ruled that McGreevey owes his ex about $109,000, representing half their joint assets."
Source: "Wife of former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey drops fraud claim." NYDailyNews.com.
"Besides finances, the other unresolved issue is whether McGreevey committed fraud by marrying Matos McGreevey. She claims she was duped into marrying a gay man who needed the cover of a wife to advance his political career. He said she knew their union was "a contrivance on both our parts."
Source: McGreevey's wife: Spent savings on lavish wedding." USAToday.com. 5/28/2008.
Children:
James has two daughters.
- Jacqueline Matos McGreevey: Born in 2001 (a premature birth) after her mother, Dina, had been hospitalized for six weeks.
- Morag Veronica McGreevey: Born in 1992. Her mother is Kari Schutz.
Previous Marriage
McGreevey was previously married to Kari Schutz, aka Karen Joan Schutz, a librarian from Vancouver, British Columbia. Kari and James met while on a cruise in 1990 and married in 1991. Their marriage ended due to McGreevey's workaholic personality. They separated in 1995 with their divorce finalized in 1997 in Bergen County.Scandal:
With his wife and parents standing beside him, Governor Jim McGreevey announced on August 12, 2004, that he was gay, that he had a consensual homosexual adulterous affair, and was resigning effective November 15, 2004.
Golan Cipel, an Israeli citizen appointed by McGreevey as New Jersey's homeland security aide threatened McGreevey with a sexual harassment lawsuit.
McGreevey's Current Partner
Since 9/2005, investment adviser Mark O'Donnell, born in Australia, has been McGreevey's partner. James and Mark met at a cocktail party in Manhattan. McGreevey flew to Australia to meet Mark's family.Occupations:
James: Participant in HBO film Fall to Grace, spiritual counselor to female inmates, part-time teaching a graduate-level leadership course at Kean University, author of The Confession, Middlesex County assistant prosecutor, executive director of the state parole board, a senior-level position for Merck & Company, state assemblyman from 1990-1991, state senator from 1994 to 1997, in 1992-2001 Mayor of Woodbridge, Governor of New Jersey, January 15, 2002 to November, 2004.
Dina: Author of Silent Partner, former manager of Public and Professional Relations at Saint James Hospital, director of public relations and marketing at Columbus Hospital, Executive Director of the Columbus Hospital Foundation in Newark, New Jersey.
Residence:
In October, 2004, Dina Matos McGreevey purchased a three-bedroom, red brick ranch home in Springfield, New Jersey.
James and Mark purchased a historic $1.4 Million mansion in Plainfield, New Jersey. The 92-year-old Georgian Colonial home on 1.7 acres has 8 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 5 fireplaces, solarium, swimming pool, and butler's pantry. The gardens were designed by the creator of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted.
Source: NJ.com
Former Residence:
Drumthwacket, official residence of Governor. Their home city was Woodbridge Township, New Jersey.Religion:
Both James and Dina were raised Catholic. James was an altar boy and a regular church goer. James joined the Episcopal faith on April 29, 2007.Quotes About the Marriage Of James McGreevey and Dina Matos:
Jack McGreevey about his son's autobiography: "It's my understanding that Jim's attempting to educate the public that there are gays living among us, and for them it is a legitimate lifestyle due to their physical, mental and moral makeup. He's 500 years ahead of his time."Source: NY Post
Mark about his relationship with McGreevey: "Jim and I have a healthy, loving, committed relationship which we share with our family and friends."
Source: NY Daily News
James on announcing his affair with another man: "It was wrong. It was foolish. It was inexcusable. And for this, I ask the forgiveness and the grace of my wife. She has been extraordinary throughout this ordeal, and I am blessed by virtue of her love and strength."
Source: CNN
Pedro, friend of Dina, about Dina's first meeting with James: "In a little while, he came to ask if he could join us. The look on his face said everything. He was taken. He couldn't take his eyes off her."
Source: NJ.com
James concerning his divorce from Kari: "Growing up in an almost quaint community, Kari was not ready for the rough and tumble of government and politics."
Source: Boston.com, 2004/08/13
Quotes from James McGreevey's 9/19/2006 Oprah Winfrey Interview