Diane Addonizio is an American author and former attorney best known as the wife of former NFL player and sports analyst Howie Long. She studied law at the University of Southern California and published a book about famous athletes and their children.
Diane and Howie met while attending Villanova University and married in 1982. They have three sons: Chris Long, Kyle Long, and Howard Long Jr. Their two eldest sons became NFL players, while their youngest son pursued a career in football business operations.
Diane Addonizio’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Diane Addonizio |
| Known for | Howie Long’s wife and author of He’s Just My Dad! |
| Birth year | Reportedly 1962 |
| Birthday | Reportedly March 16 |
| Age | Reportedly 64 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Red Bank, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Author and former attorney |
| Education | Villanova University and University of Southern California |
| Father | Frank Addonizio |
| Mother | Reportedly Marie Cecere |
| Brother | James Addonizio |
| Husband | Howie Long |
| Marriage date | June 27, 1982 |
| Children | Chris Long, Kyle Long, and Howard Long Jr. |
| Book | He’s Just My Dad! (2000) |
| Reported residence | Albemarle County, Virginia |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Diane Addonizio’s Age and Early Life
Diane Addonizio was reportedly born on March 16, 1962, in Red Bank, New Jersey. Based on that reported date, she is 64 years old as of September 2026.
Her exact birthday has not been independently confirmed.
Diane grew up in New Jersey before attending Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Published biographies describe her as coming from an Italian-American family.
Little verified information is available about her childhood or early schooling.
Diane Addonizio’s Parents and Brother
Diane’s father was reportedly Frank Addonizio, who served in the United States Army during World War II.
Some biographies also report that he served during the Korean War and later worked as a security officer.
Her mother is identified as Marie Cecere in some published accounts. Other sources use the name Cecere Addonizio, so her full name has not been independently established.
Diane reportedly grew up with one brother, James Addonizio, who became an attorney.
There is limited public information about her parents’ personal lives or her relationship with her brother.
Diane Addonizio’s Education
Diane attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where she studied Classical Studies.
This subject focuses on the history, languages, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
She later continued her education at the University of Southern California School of Law.
According to published biographies, she earned a Juris Doctor degree.
Her exact graduation dates have not been publicly confirmed.
Diane Addonizio’s Legal Career
Diane reportedly worked as an attorney before focusing on raising her children.
AmoMama states that she practiced law for several years before becoming a stay-at-home mother. Other biographies describe her as a former or non-practicing attorney.
Some online sources claim that she specialized in corporate and civil law. However, her exact legal specialties and employment history have not been independently verified.
She has not publicly shared many details about her professional legal work.
Diane Addonizio’s Book: He’s Just My Dad!
Diane is also an author.
In 2000, she published He’s Just My Dad!: Portraits of Celebrity Athletes and Their Children.
The book explores relationships between professional athletes and their children. Diane interviewed athletes and their families to learn about their experiences as parents.
It also includes approximately 200 photographs of athletes spending time with their children at home and behind the scenes.
The photography team was led by photographer Sam Abell.
Diane’s interest in sports, photography, and family relationships reportedly inspired the project.
The book remains one of her most clearly documented professional achievements.
How Did Diane Addonizio Meet Howie Long?
Diane met Howie Long while they were students at Villanova University.
According to a published account of an earlier interview, Diane was in her first year when they met, while Howie was a sophomore.
She recalled that Howie could be moody and was initially difficult to get to know. She also remembered being attracted to him.
Their first date involved watching football.
Howie reportedly invited Diane to his room to watch a televised NFL game. Their relationship developed while they were still in college.
They married a few years later.
Diane Addonizio and Howie Long’s Marriage
Diane Addonizio and Howie Long married on June 27, 1982.
Their relationship began before Howie became an established NFL player and television personality.
During their marriage, Howie played professional football for the Raiders and later developed a career in television broadcasting and acting.
The couple welcomed three sons and raised their family while Howie continued his professional career.
As of September 2026, they have been married for more than 44 years.
There are no confirmed public reports of their separation or divorce in the available sources.
Who Is Diane Addonizio’s Husband, Howie Long?
Howie Long is a former American football player, television sports analyst, and actor.
His full name is Howard Matthew Moses Long. He was born on January 6, 1960, in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Howie played college football at Villanova University before beginning his professional career.
He spent 13 seasons in the NFL as a defensive end for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders.
During his playing career, he won Super Bowl XVIII and earned eight Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
After retiring from professional football, Howie became a television analyst for Fox Sports.
He also pursued acting and appeared in films including Broken Arrow, Firestorm, and 3000 Miles to Graceland.
His work in football and television has kept him in the public eye for several decades.
Diane Addonizio’s Three Sons
Diane and Howie have three sons: Christopher Howard Long, Kyle Long, and Howard Long Jr.
All three have worked in professional football, although they followed different career paths.
Chris Long
Christopher Howard Long was born on March 28, 1985. He is Diane and Howie’s eldest son.
Chris followed his father into professional football and became an NFL defensive end.
He played for the St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles.
During his career, he won two Super Bowl championships and received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
Chris retired from professional football in 2019.
He is married to Megan O’Malley, and they have two sons, Waylon and Luke.
Kyle Long
Kyle Long was born on December 5, 1988. He is Diane and Howie’s second son.
He became an NFL offensive lineman and spent much of his professional career with the Chicago Bears.
Kyle earned three Pro Bowl selections during his time with the team.
He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs and has also worked in sports media.
Howard Long Jr.
Howard Long Jr. is Diane and Howie’s youngest son. Published biographies report that he was born in 1990.
Unlike his father and older brothers, Howard Jr. did not pursue a professional playing career in the NFL.
He studied at the University of Virginia and later entered football business operations.
He has worked in premium sales for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Published reports identify him as a manager in the team’s premium sales department, although his exact current position has not been independently confirmed.
Diane Addonizio’s Grandchildren
Diane is a grandmother through her eldest son, Chris Long.
Chris and his wife, Megan O’Malley, have two sons named Waylon and Luke.
In 2022, Chris shared photographs on Instagram showing Diane spending time with him and his children.
The post included a message expressing his love for his mother.
There is no reliable information in the supplied sources establishing whether Diane has additional grandchildren.
Diane Addonizio’s Community Work
Diane has reportedly been involved with the Boys & Girls Club.
According to a published account of a 2025 interview with Albemarle Magazine, her son Chris discussed his parents’ influence on his upbringing.
He reportedly described Diane’s involvement with the organization, including spending time with children and supporting its activities.
However, the exact dates and full extent of her community work have not been independently established.
Diane Addonizio’s Social Media
Diane does not have any independently verified public social media accounts identified in the available sources.
However, her sons have occasionally shared photographs of her online.
In 2020, Kyle Long reportedly posted a Mother’s Day tribute featuring Diane.
Chris also shared family photographs with his mother in 2022.
Diane has generally maintained a limited public presence outside her family’s activities.
Where Does Diane Addonizio Live Today?
Published biographies associate Diane and Howie with Albemarle County, Virginia.
Her book’s author profile has also been cited as a source for the family’s connection to the area.
However, her exact current residence has not been independently confirmed as of September 2026.
Diane continues to maintain a relatively private life, with limited public information about her everyday activities.
Diane Addonizio’s Net Worth
Diane Addonizio’s personal net worth is not publicly known.
She has reportedly worked as an attorney and is the author of He’s Just My Dad!.
However, her individual earnings, investments, and assets have not been publicly documented.
Some websites estimate Howie Long’s net worth at approximately $16 million. That figure is an unverified estimate of her husband’s wealth and should not be treated as Diane’s personal net worth.
Facts About Diane Addonizio
- Diane Addonizio is an American author and former attorney.
- She is best known as the wife of former NFL player Howie Long.
- She was reportedly born in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1962.
- She studied Classical Studies at Villanova University.
- She later earned a law degree from the University of Southern California.
- She met Howie Long while they were attending Villanova University.
- Their first date reportedly involved watching a televised NFL game.
- They married on June 27, 1982.
- They have three sons: Chris Long, Kyle Long, and Howard Long Jr.
- Chris and Kyle both became professional NFL players.
- Howard Jr. pursued a career in football business operations.
- Diane published He’s Just My Dad!: Portraits of Celebrity Athletes and Their Children in 2000.
- Her book includes approximately 200 photographs of professional athletes and their children.
- She has reportedly supported activities connected to the Boys & Girls Club.
- She has attended several film premieres and sports-related events with her husband.
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