Dolores Catania

Dolores Catania was born and raised in Paterson, N.J., one of five children to Chief of Police Lawrence Spagnola and mom, Valerie. On a nontraditional road to fame, Dolores has been a waitress, shampoo girl and a surgical assistant, but it was working in the prison system that made her passionate about helping the less fortunate, especially families suffering in unfair circumstances. As co-parents to two adult children, Dolores and ex-husband Frank Catania have delighted audiences with their unconventional loving relationship as friends despite divorcing decades ago. In 2018, Dolores was voted fan-favorite “Miss Congeniality” across the entire “Real Housewives” franchise. Dolores has been celebrated for her charitable work, particularly with women’s shelters and animal rescue organizations. She has received the key to the city of Paterson in recognition of her dedication to the community and in 2020 was given the Ambassador of Hope Award by Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn for bringing awareness to women’s health issues.