Who Is Star Jones’ Husband? All About Ricardo Lugo

When Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo met through an online dating app, they immediately had something in common – their careers.

Not only did each profile contain their names and locations, but the word “attorney” was prominently featured in both usernames, as both Jones and Lugo are attorneys. (Jones currently serves as a judge on the Star Divorce courtand Lugo is an administrative judge.)

After eight weeks of talking, the two went on their first date, which quickly turned into a four-day date, and according to Jones, “they haven’t been apart since.” The couple got married in 2018 and renewed their vows in 2023.

Ever since she met Lugo that fateful day, Jones (61) has been enjoying every minute with the man she calls the love of her life. “I have my business for women… my consulting firm… living with a man I love, a child who adores me, and health that is magnificent,” Jones told Tamron Hall about her journey to true love.

The three most important women in Jones’ life – her mother, grandmother and dog Pinky – died shortly after her marriage to Lugo, but Jones believes they waited until they were sure she had found “the one”.

“Within six months of my marriage, they both left, with my sweetheart [dog] Pinky,” Jones explained. “Everyone knew that I was safe in the arms of someone who would love me forever. I used to say: ‘Mom, he’s so kind, he’s so sweet.’ She said, ‘Stop it, you’re acting like you don’t deserve it. You deserve every honor.’ ”

Here’s everything you need to know about Ricardo Lugo, the lawyer, father and husband of the original View co-hosted by Star Jones.

He’s from Chicago

Ricardo Lugo and Star Jones at the 2016 American Ballet Theater Fall Gala on October 20, 2016 in New York City.

Krista Kennell/Patrick McMullan/Getty

Lugo grew up in the Cabrini-Green and Humboldt Park neighborhoods of Chicago and was one of 12 siblings. After high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin Law School and Benedictine University in Illinois, where he played varsity football and was on the dean’s list.

Lugo is a lawyer

Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo at the 65th Vienna State Opera Ball on February 7, 2020 in New York City.

Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan/Getty

Like Jones, Lugo is a lawyer who has held various positions throughout his career. In 2017, he served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. He also served as Deputy Chief Counsel, Chief Investigator and Chief Deputy Clerk of the Cook County Clerk of Courts, where he managed more than 50 employees, including Chicago and Illinois police officers.

In 2018, he joined the law offices of Jeffery M. Leving with an emphasis on family law. According to his LinkedIn, Lugo is currently an administrative law judge.

He is the father

Jones star Jake Lugo and Ricardo Lugo at USC during Parents’ Weekend 2023.

Star Jones Instagram

Both Lugo and Jones were previously married, and Lugo has a son, Jake, from a previous relationship. Jake appears frequently on Jones’ Instagram and now attends USC. He and Jones are close. In an Instagram post from Parents’ Weekend at University 2023, she called him “our boy” and referred to herself as Jake’s “bonus mom” and “Jake’s noni.”

Jones and Lugo met online

Ricardo Lugo and Star Jones at the 2019 Angel Ball hosted by Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation on October 28, 2019 in New York City.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

According to Divorce court host, the couple met through an online dating platform, where they had incredibly similar usernames. “I used my real name, Starlet. And it said Starlet54LawyerNewYork,” Jones told Tamron Hall in 2020, adding that she used “slice of life” images in her profile instead of formal headshots.

“Ricardo’s was Ricardo54LawyerChicago,” Jones said, explaining that they had been talking for eight weeks before going on a first date at a French restaurant, where they tasted champagne. “He said, ‘Is that OK?’ I said, ‘The only thing I like more than champagne is more champagne,'” Jones joked.

Jones and Lugo made their first public appearance in 2016

Ricardo Lugo and Starr Jones.

Clint Spaulding/WWD/Penske Media/Getty

The couple went public with their relationship at an event in July 2016 in Bridgehampton, New York. Lug’s son Jake was also present. “This is my family,” Jones said of her companions. “I’m not married, but we’re together.”

Jones and Lugo got engaged in 2017

Ricardo Lugo and Star Jones at Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation 2017 Angel Ball on October 23, 2017 in New York City.

Cindy Ord/Getty

After dating for several years, the couple made it official, with Jones showing off her diamond engagement ring on Instagram in June 2017. “Looks like a heat wave is going through the Midwest,” she captioned the photo. “Additional warmth comes from the sun shining on my heart. The bells of fortune are ringing right now.”

Although she alluded to an engagement on social media, Jones kept the details of the proposal under wraps.

They got married in 2018

Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo.

Star Jones Instagram

Jones and Lugo tied the knot on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in the Bahamas on March 25, 2018, in front of 150 guests, including Phaedra Parks, Holly Robinson Peete and Tina Knowles.

Jones wore a form-fitting mermaid-style Dennis Basso gown with a bejeweled headdress and said the ensemble made her feel like a “beautiful beautiful Basso Black Barbie bride”. Lugo wore a white tuxedo and black pants, and many of the guests wore white.

The date was particularly significant: Jones’ birthday is March 24, and the night before the wedding, Lugo threw her a lavish party on board.

Lugo and Jones renewed their vows in 2023

Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo.

Star Jones Instagram

Lugo and Jones celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary by renewing their vows on another cruise, this time in Santorini, Greece. “Thank you @celebritycruises for helping us turn our vacation cruise into a 5 year marriage,” Jones wrote on Instagram, calling it a “dream come true.” Jones wore a sparkly white sequined dress with no cut-out sleeves, and Lugo wore a white jacket similar to the one he wore in 2018.

They like to travel

Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo in Italy in August 2023.

Star Jones Instagram

Jones and Lugo are a jet-setting couple – and stylish, too. The couple, who split their time between Chicago and East Hampton, travel frequently, including to Napa Valley in Italy and Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. They are always dressed to impress, with Jones in a variety of colorful cocktail dresses and Lugo looking equally sharp in tailored jackets.

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Source: HIS Education