Drita D'Avanzo Net Worth

What Is Drita D'Avanzo's Net Worth?

Drita D'Avanzo is an Albanian-American reality television personality, entrepreneur, and former athlete who has a net worth of $1.5 million.

Drita D'Avanzo rose to prominence as one of the breakout stars of VH1's hit series "Mob Wives." Known for her fiery personality, loyalty to family, and willingness to confront conflict head-on, Drita became one of the show's most memorable figures during its six-season run from 2011 to 2016. While much of her public image has been shaped by the drama surrounding her personal life and her husband's legal troubles, Drita has also built a career beyond reality TV. She has worked as a freelance makeup artist for major cosmetic brands and launched her own beauty line, Lady Boss by Drita. In addition to her television work, she has made numerous talk show appearances and participated in other reality series like "Scared Famous." Long before fame, however, Drita was a standout athlete with serious potential in soccer, even earning an opportunity to train for the U.S. Women's National Team. Her life story blends toughness, ambition, and resilience, shaped by a challenging upbringing and years spent navigating both the entertainment world and the realities of a complicated family life.

Early Life

Drita D'Avanzo was born Drita Selmani on February 6, 1976, in New York City. She is of full Albanian descent, a fact often misunderstood due to her association with "Mob Wives," which largely focused on Italian-American families. Her parents, Nezir and Kadima Selmani, emigrated from Albania and raised Drita and her siblings on Staten Island.

She grew up in the Todt Hill housing projects, an environment she has described as tough and unforgiving. From a young age, Drita developed a reputation for being fiercely protective, often stepping in to defend others from bullying. That toughness would later become a defining trait both on and off television.

One of the lesser-known aspects of her early life is her talent as an athlete. Drita was an accomplished soccer player in her youth, trained extensively by her father, who worked as a coach. She attended Susan E. Wagner High School, where she excelled as a goalie and gained recognition as one of the top players in her area. Her skills were strong enough to earn her an invitation to train for the U.S. Women's National Team, a rare opportunity that suggested a potential professional athletic career. Ultimately, she chose a different path, but her competitive mindset carried over into other areas of her life.

(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Reality TV Career and Business Ventures

Drita became a household name in 2011 when she joined the cast of VH1's "Mob Wives." The show followed women whose husbands or family members were connected to organized crime, offering a mix of personal drama and real-life consequences. Drita quickly stood out for her no-nonsense attitude and intense loyalty, as well as her willingness to confront conflicts directly. She remained on the series for its entire run, appearing in all six seasons and helping to define its tone and success.

Her time on the show also brought attention to her complicated personal life, particularly her marriage and long periods spent apart from her husband due to his incarcerations. Despite the challenges, Drita became a fan favorite and one of the most recognizable personalities from the franchise.

Beyond "Mob Wives," she made appearances on a variety of television programs, including "The Wendy Williams Show," "Rachael Ray," "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," "The Real," and "Hip Hop Squares." She also appeared on the short-lived spinoff "Big Ang" and competed on the VH1 reality series "Scared Famous" in 2017, where she played for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Outside of television, Drita built a career in the beauty industry. She has worked as a freelance makeup artist for several cosmetic brands and later launched her own line, Lady Boss by Drita, expanding her presence as an entrepreneur.

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Personal Life

Drita married Lee D'Avanzo in 2000. They welcomed daughters Gizelle and Aleeya together. In early 2024, Drita officially revealed to the public that she and Lee had secretly separated a couple of years prior, ending their tumultuous 24-year marriage.

In 1998, Lee was convicted of burglary in Essex County, New Jersey. A few years later, he received a five-year sentence for selling marijuana. In 2003, Lee was sentenced to 62 months in federal prison after being convicted of racketeering, marijuana distribution, money laundering, and loansharking. In 2009, he was convicted of burglary. Consequently, for much of their early marriage, Drita and Lee did not spend much time together. Lee is a former member of the Staten Island gang, the New Springville Boys, and an associate of the Bonanno crime family.

Lee is also the former boyfriend of "Mob Wives" cast member Karen Gravano, which created some tension between Drita and Karen over the years.

In December 2019, both Lee and Drita were charged with firearms and drug possession after police executed a search warrant at their home. The charges against Drita were dropped, but Lee eventually pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 64 months in prison. Before the sentencing, Drita wrote a note to the court asking for leniency that read, "If there is one thing no one can take away from Lee is what an amazing father he has been to our children. He never missed a soccer game and was very much involved in our kids' school work and any activities they were involved in. He is a family man and is missed! He has a family that is fully supporting him and hoping he comes home soon."

Real Estate

In 2007, Drita paid $450 thousand for a home in Staten Island, New York. Today, this home is worth around $1.4 million. Drita is the only one on the home's title.

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