Evel Dick Donato Wife: Who Is He Married To? (2026)

Richard Louis "Evel Dick" Donato, the villain-turned-champion of Big Brother 8, has one of the most publicized romantic histories of any Big Brother winner. He has been married three times — to Tracy Donato, Janine Donato, and Michelle Donato — but as of 2026, he is widely reported to be single. None of his three marriages are currently active.

Who Is Evel Dick Donato's Wife?

There is no current wife. Published biographies describe Donato as single, living a low-key life in Huntington Beach, California, focused on his health, family, and his Big Brother recap podcast Dick at Nite. His last widely reported relationship was with Stephanie Rogness-Fischer, whom he dated after his divorces and appeared with on VH1's Couples Therapy in 2014; that relationship ended amicably after the show.

Marriage Timeline

Tracy Donato (1984): Donato married his first wife Tracy in Los Angeles on December 1, 1984. The marriage lasted about a year before ending in divorce.

Janine Donato (1994–2002): He married Janine Donato on September 9, 1994, in California. The couple separated on September 9, 2002, after roughly eight years together.

Michelle Donato: Michelle is the mother of Donato's daughter Daniele Donato Briones, who competed alongside him on Big Brother 8 as his estranged daughter. Published sources disagree on the exact order of Donato's three marriages — some list Michelle as the first, others as the most recent — but all three marriages are confirmed in multiple published biographies, and all ended in divorce.

Children

Evel Dick Donato has two children: a daughter, Daniele Donato Briones (born August 20, 1986), and a son, Vincent Donato. Daniele famously finished as the runner-up on Big Brother 8 — making the 2007 finale the only season in which a father and daughter occupied the top two spots. She later married fellow Big Brother 13 houseguest Dominic Briones in January 2013; they have two daughters, Tennessee Autumn Briones (born August 2018) and Lux (born August 2021). Evel Dick's strained relationship with Daniele during season 8 was one of the season's central storylines, and the two later reconciled.

Career Highlights

Big Brother 8 winner (2007): Donato won the season and the $500,000 grand prize, with his daughter Daniele finishing as runner-up — an unprecedented father-daughter Final 2.

Big Brother 13 (2011): He returned as part of a veteran "Dynamic Duos" twist with Daniele but left the show for personal reasons; he later revealed in 2014 that he had been diagnosed with HIV in 2011.

Bar owner and podcast host: Before and after reality TV, Donato worked in bar management in California. He hosts the Big Brother recap show Dick at Nite (also written as "Dick at Night"), featuring alumni, celebrities, and evicted houseguests, and sells Cameo shoutouts to fans.

HIV advocacy: Since disclosing his HIV-positive status to PEOPLE magazine in 2014, he has spoken openly about his diagnosis and health journey.

FAQ

Is Evel Dick Donato married now?

No. As of 2026, he is widely reported to be single, with no current wife or partner publicly known.

How many times has Evel Dick Donato been married?

Three times — to Tracy Donato (1984), Janine Donato (1994–2002), and Michelle Donato. All three marriages ended in divorce.

Who is Daniele Donato's mother?

Michelle Donato, one of Evel Dick's three wives. Daniele was born on August 20, 1986.

How old is Evel Dick Donato in 2026?

Born June 24, 1963, he is 63 years old in 2026.

Does Evel Dick Donato have children?

Yes — a daughter, Daniele Donato Briones, and a son, Vincent Donato.