Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo at Angel Ball 2022 on October 24, 2022 in New York City.Photo:Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
WhenStar Jonesand Ricardo Lugo met via an online dating app, they had something in common right away — their careers.
Not only did each profile feature their respective names and locations, the word “lawyer” was prominent in both usernames, as both Jones and Lugo are attorneys. (Jonescurrently serves as Judge StaronDivorce Court, and Lugo is an administrative law judge.)
After eight weeks of conversation, the two went on their first date, which quickly turned into a four-day date, andaccording to Jones, they have “never been apart since.” The couple married in 2018 and renewed their vows in 2023.
Ever since meeting Lugo on that fateful day, Jones has been enjoying every minute with the manshe calls the love of her life. “I’ve got my work for women … my consulting company … I get to live life with a man that I love, a child that adores me and health that is magnificent,” Jones told Tamron Hall of her journey to true love.
The three most important women in Jones’ life — her mother, grandmother and dog Pinky — all died shortly after her marriage to Lugo, but Jones believes they waited to make sure she had found “the one.”
“Within six months of me getting married, they were both gone, with my precious [dog] Pinky,” Jones explained. “They all knew that I was safely in the arms of someone who would love me forever. I used to say, ‘Mom, he’s so kind, he’s so nice.’ She said, ‘Stop it, you act like you don’t deserve it. You deserve every bit of it.’ ”
So who is Star Jones' husband? Here’s everything to know about Ricardo Lugo and his relationship with the originalThe Viewco-host.
He’s from Chicago
Ricardo Lugo and Star Jones at the American Ballet Theatre 2016 Fall Gala on October 20, 2016 in New York City.Krista Kennell/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Krista Kennell/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Lugo grew up in theCabrini-Green and Humboldt Park neighborhoods of Chicagoand was one of 12 siblings. After high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin Law School and Benedictine University in Illinois, where heplayed varsity soccerand was on the dean’s list.
Lugo is an attorney
Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo at the 65th Viennese Opera Ball on February 07, 2020 in New York City.Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan/Getty
Like Jones, Lugo is an attorney, who has held a variety of roles during his career. In 2017, he worked as the Cook County assistant state’s attorney. He also served as the deputy general counsel, chief investigator and chief deputy clerk of the Cook County Clerk of Court.
In 2018, hejoined the law offices of Jeffery M. Levingwith an emphasis on family law. According to his LinkedIn, Lugo is currently an administrative law judge.
He’s a father
Star Jones Jake Lugo, and Ricardo Lugo at USC during Parent’s Weekend 2023.Star Jones Instagram
Star Jones Instagram
Both Lugo and Jones have been married before, and Lugo has a son, Jake, from his previous relationship. Jake frequently appears on Jones’ Instagram and is now attending the University of Southern California.
Jones and Lugo met online
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
According to theDivorce Courthost, the couple met via an online dating platform, where they had strikingly similar usernames. “I used my real, given name, Starlet. And it said Starlet54LawyerNewYork,” Jonestold Tamron Hallin 2020, adding that she used “slice-of-life” pictures versus formal headshots in her profile.
“Ricardo’s was Ricardo54LawyerChicago,” Jones shared, explaining that they talked for eight weeks before going on their first date to a French restaurant, where they did a champagne tasting. “He said, ‘Is that okay?’ I said, ‘The only thing I like better than champagne is more champagne,' " Jones joked.
Jones and Lugo made their first public appearance in 2016
Ricardo Lugo and Star Jones.Clint Spaulding/WWD/Penske Media/Getty
Clint Spaulding/WWD/Penske Media/Getty
The couplewent public with their relationshipat an event in July 2016 in Bridgehampton, New York. Lugo’s son Jake was also in attendance. “This is my family,” Jones said of her companions. “I’m not married, but we’re together.”
Jones and Lugo got engaged in 2017
Ricardo Lugo and Star Jones at Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation’s Angel Ball 2017 on October 23, 2017 in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty
Cindy Ord/Getty
After several years of dating, the couple made it official, with Jonesshowing off her diamond engagement ringon Instagram in June 2017. “There appears to be a heatwave going across the Midwest,” she captioned the photo. “The extra heat is from the sun shining on my heart. The bells of happiness are ringing right now.”
Though she alluded to the engagement on social media, Jones kept the details of the proposal private.
They married in 2018
Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo.Star Jones Instagram
Jones and Lugotied the knotaboard a Royal Caribbean cruise liner in the Bahamas on March 25, 2018, in front of 150 guests, includingPhaedra Parks, Holly Robinson Peete andTina Knowles.
Jones worea fitted mermaid-style Dennis Basso gownwith a jeweled headpiece and said the ensemble made her feel like “a beautiful beautiful Basso Black Barbie bride.” Lugo wore a white tuxedo jacket and black trousers, and many guests wore white.
The date was extra significant: Jones’ birthday is March 24, and the night before the wedding, Lugothrew her an elaborate partyaboard the ship.
Lugo and Jones renewed their vows in 2023
“Thank you @celebritycruises for helping us turn our vacation cruise into a 5 year marriage,” Jones wrote on Instagram, calling it a “dream come true.” Jones wore a sparkling white sequined dress without cutout sleeves and Lugo wore a white jacket similar to the one he wore in 2018.
They love to travel
Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo in Italy in August 2023.Star Jones Instagram
Jones and Lugo are a jet-setting pair — and a stylish one, too. The couple, whosplit their time between Chicago and East Hampton, travel frequently, including toNapa Valley,Italyand Louisville.
They’re always dressed to impress in their vacation photos, with Jones in a variety of colorful cocktail dresses and Lugo looking equally sharp in tailored jackets.
source: people.com
