Know Everything About Four Decade Long Love Story of Diane Addonizio and NFL Star Howie Long

Diane Addonizio is an American non-practicing lawyer and a businesswoman. However, her biggest hold to glory is her relationship with NFL formal defensive end and actor Howie Long. The couple got married back in 1982 and is still going strong. Diane and Howie are a trendsetter in the Hollywood world where marriage split-ups are common. They have been in the boat of a relationship for about 39 years by now. One thing that makes Daine Addonizio stand out among the crowd is her own career’s sacrifice to brighten up Howie’s career.

Howie always adores his wife but she has never been vocal about how much she loves Long in public. Her love for living a low-key life has kept many chapters of her life under the radar that people want to know. So, here we break the mystery behind Howie’s college sweetheart and wife Diane Addonizio in the post.

Howie Long and Diane Addonizio’s Love Story Began with a NFL Game

The love story of Howie Long with Diane seems like a plot from the classic movies. The duo first met during their college days as both of them attended Villanova University in the mid-1970s. Howie was a one-year senior to Diane Addonizio. It all started with Howie’s invitation to Diane to watch an NFL game on television. She didn’t turn down the offer and went to Howie’s dorm room. Eventually, they enjoyed each other’s company and began spending more time. They soon became close friends and then realized their feelings for each other. In an interview, when asked to share her moment when she met Long, she recalled:

“Attractive, the boy was attractive. I’d never met anyone that big who was that good-looking. He was always like a volcano about to erupt, always driven. Everywhere we went, he thought people were staring at him.”

On the other side, when Howie was asked to share the experience of their first date, he explained:

A little 12-inch, black and white TV that my grandmother gave me. A TV with a line on it and a coat hanger for an antenna. We watched a Dallas game. That’s when they were still experimenting with Randy White at linebacker. On one play he got a running start and wham, he knocked the ball carriers’ helmet off. I started cheering. ‘Wow, did you see that! Diane must have thought I was nuts.

She took some time to understand the strange and moody Howie she loved. In the initial days of dating, when she wouldn’t get any Valentine’s Day gifts from her love she used to be angry. But when Howie made her understand the reasons behind it, she loved him more. She shared her words about the same and said:

He didn’t send me a Valentine’s Day card when we first started going together. That upset me, and I told him so. Then he explained how holidays never meant anything special to him. At Villanova when everyone went home for the holidays or the summer he was always the guy who stayed in the dorm.”

Further, she went on adding:

Do you know how a child’s bed is special to him? Well, he never had his own. It was always a couch or something, while he was bouncing around from relative to relative. He was always living out of a suitcase, he always had his possessions on him. It took me a while to understand that.

The couple didn’t wait for long and got engaged soon after graduating from university. Further, the lovebirds decided to take their relationship to another level and tied the knot in a private ceremony.

Diane And Howie are Stepping into a Four Decade Long Married Life

A happy marriage is not only about love and trust, but it’s about forgiveness and promises to never give up on each and every step of life. This saying perfectly fits in Howie’s and Diane’s life. The couple has remained married for more than three decades now.

The adorable couple said ‘I Do’ on 27th June 1982 in a private ceremony. The wedding details of the couple are something that’s still under the bridge where no light can fall. Their marriage has blessed them with three sons namely Christopher, Kyle, and Mathew who all are now grown up. Diane has really worked hard to keep her family happy. She even had the courage to leave her career for the sake of her family.

Diane has always acted as the backbone for Howie‘s successful career. She stood by his side through every thunder and storm. Even though she lives living a private life, she often accompanies her husband in various award shows and red carpet events. She made an appearance with her husband Howie at the NFL Hall of Fame red carpet at the Fox Theaters in Atlanta on February 2, 2019.

The couple has now become one of the few celebrities with a marriage lasting more than four decades. Diane and Howie are reassuring evidence that a long-lasting relationship is still possible in a world where celebrities are defined by their failed relationships.

Diane Addonizio and Howie Long’s Children: Christopher, Kyle, and Mathew Howard

The couple embraced parenthood for the first time in 1985. After three years of marriage, the couple gave birth to a baby boy named Christopher Howard. Again after an interval of three years, the duo welcomed their second child named Kyle Howard in 1988. They were again blessed with a baby boy in 1990. He was named Mathew Howard. All of their children have grown up now. Her kids have chosen to walk in the shoes of their father.

Christopher Howard plays for the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFL defensive end. In 2016-17, he was honored as Super Bowl LI as a member of the New England Patriots. The following year he won Super Bowl Li as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. He is struggling to reach his father’s height who is a Hall of Famer. However, he is doing great in his own way. In an interview, he told:

“It’s probably a little late in the game to get in the Hall of Fame. My dad was a hell of a player and I’m very proud of him. I’ve always separated myself and just done my own thing, (been) my own man. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish this league.”

Similarly, her second son Kyle plays for the Chicago Bears of NFL. He plays as an offensive lineman for the team. Kyle made his debut in 2013 following his father’s footprints. Moreover, the youngest member of the family serves as a scouting assistant and personal assistant for the Raiders. Further, he also works as a premium sales consultant at Legends Las Vegas Stadium.

Diane Addonizio supports her sons in their football games. Diane took part in a panel discussion organized at the Walter Payton Center. The event was held for over three hundred mothers of football players. The event’s major agenda was to promote football safety.

Diane Addonizio’s Life before She met Howie Long

Diane Addonizio was born in Red Bank, New Jersey in 1962. Her exact birth date is not known until today. She was born to Catholic parents who raised her in their faith. Nothing much is known about her parents and family members as she doesn’t like enchanting about her personal life. Diane Addonizio hardly shares details about her private life.

Throwing lights to her university life, Addonizio attended Villanova University – an Augustinian Catholic University located in Pennsylvania, USA. She graduated with a degree in classical studies from the university. She then attended the University of Southern California School of Law and graduated with a degree in Law. As soon as she completed her degree, she went to imply the knowledge she garnered into the practical field.

Her Career Breakthrough: Lawyer And a Businesswoman

Diane Addonizio is a lawyer, a businesswoman, and an author who has penned few books. However, she is best known as the wife of NFL star Howie Long. Diane began her career as an attorney in a Pennthe workforce soon after completing her studies. As per sources, she didn’t practice law for long and left the job as she prioritized family over career after getting hitched.

After she got married to Howie, she tried her hands in a new area. She plunged into the world of business. Diane made investments in certain projects which earned her good returns. However, the inside information regarding the investment projects she made is still under review.

Despite trying hard to build a successful career, her success has been overshadowed by the stardom of Howie Long. While she was still trying to ace her career, Diane took the life-changing decision to lay off her professional career to look after her family. As of now, she is indulging as a homemaker looking after her husband and children.

Apart from these, she is co-author of the book “He’s Just My Dad!” published in 2000. The book featured more than 200 photographs featuring athletes and their kids. Besides, she was also associated with the NFL Head UP Football Advisory Committee. Likewise, Dianne is also a philanthropist who often involves herself in charity works.

Net Worth: How Rich is Howie’s wife?

Diane is living a lavishing lifestyle with her millionaire husband Howie Long. She owns an expensive mansion in Charlottesville, Virginia which has a value worth $6 million. Being married to celebrity certainly brings some advantages like wealth and fame, but Diane has tried to earn on her own. Though her exact net worth in figure is not known, some sources claim that she has wealth of around $1 million. Furthermore, she also shares the net fortune of her husband Howie that’s around $16 million.

Despite the fact that Diane Addonizio is married to a celebrity, she has maintained a very low key life. She hasn’t shown any presence on a social media platform like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The world is yet to witness her presence on these platforms.

Diane and Howie are now taking grandparents duties

Diane and Howie’s children are all grown up and have families of their own. Their first son Chris and his wife Megan welcomed their first child Waylon James Long on March 2, 2016. The couple was blessed with their second son, Luke Redding Long on November 26, 2018. With the family extending, Diane and Howie have taken their roles as the grandparents.