Introduction
Dino Guilmette is a name that has attracted public fascination, thanks to his layered personal history, his high-profile relationship with Shayanna Jenkins, and his tangled legal challenges. Known as a Rhode Island bar owner and former amateur boxer, he stepped into the spotlight when his relationship with Shayanna Jenkins—the ex-fiancée of late NFL star Aaron Hernandez—became public. Their partnership has remained a frequent topic of conversation, both for its intimate details and the controversies it has sparked.
Note: Guilmette's story touches on themes of reinvention, notoriety, and the complexity of public scrutiny.
Early Life and Background
Born on August 11, 1978, in Cranston, Rhode Island, Dino Guilmette grew up in a large, tight-knit family. He is one of nine siblings, including Patti Davis, Debbie Ziadeh, and William Guilmette III (who passed away in 2016). His upbringing was marked by a traditional American East Coast family dynamic, which would later influence his close relationships and personal values.
Raised on Long Island, New York, Dino pursued higher education rigorously. He graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Rhode Island Feinstein Providence Campus in 2000—a qualification that would eventually underpin his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Warning: His background reflects both privilege and challenge, foreshadowing later complexities in his public life.
Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures
Dino Guilmette's professional journey showcases a mix of blue-collar grit and business acumen. In 1997, he founded a bar in Rhode Island that remains his primary source of income. Competitors often described him as a "tough guy" with an unyielding approach to business.
His career also featured stints in modeling. Between 2002 and 2003, he worked with the One Model Place agency, showcasing his versatility and willingness to explore new opportunities. Alongside these roles, he built a reputation as an amateur boxer, participating in local events like the “Brawl For It All” in 2017—a bout designed to settle real-life rivalries in the ring.
Blockquote: "He’s just a bully around town. Big tough guy." – A local rival describing Dino in the lead-up to their boxing match.
Despite these achievements, Dino faced significant setbacks, including filing for bankruptcy twice (in 2005 and 2014), reflecting the volatility inherent in entrepreneurial endeavors.
Dino Guilmette and Shayanna Jenkins: Love Story
Dino’s relationship with Shayanna Jenkins began in 2017, the same year she lost Aaron Hernandez to suicide. Introduced by mutual friends, they quickly found solace in each other’s company. Their connection deepened in the face of shared grief and public attention.
Their bond grew into a blended family dynamic, with Dino stepping into a father-figure role for Shayanna’s daughter Avielle, while they welcomed their own child together, Giselle, in June 2018. Though the couple has often avoided confirming their marital status officially, many sources describe them as engaged rather than married.
Tip: Blended families often rely on open communication and shared values to navigate complex emotional landscapes.
Children and Family Life
Dino is the father of two daughters:
- Giselle Guilmette: Born in June 2018 to Dino and Shayanna, she became the public symbol of their bond, with Shayanna announcing her pregnancy just a month before the birth.
- Mia Guilmette: Dino’s daughter from a previous relationship, highlighting his role as a dedicated father.
He is also a stepfather to Avielle Janelle Hernandez, Aaron Hernandez’s daughter with Shayanna, born in November 2012. Dino has spoken publicly about the joy and responsibility of managing a household with three girls, emphasizing the importance of sibling relationships.
Note: Despite media attention, the family has kept many details of their private life intentionally shielded from the public.
Dino Guilmette’s Public Image and Legal Troubles
Dino’s public persona is anything but simple. While he’s seen as a devoted partner and father, his legal history complicates that narrative.
Key incidents include:
- Arrested at 18 for felony assault with a dangerous weapon, resulting in a year of probation.
- Later charged with malicious destruction of property (dismissed), willful trespass, and simple assault.
- Bankruptcy filings in 2005 and 2014, raising questions about financial management.
Locally, many have described Dino as a “bully” with a reputation for aggressive business practices and personal conflicts. These contrasting perceptions make him a polarizing figure in Providence and beyond.
Allegations of Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking
Perhaps the most sensational aspect of Dino’s recent public life involves his alleged ties to organized crime. In 2021 and 2022, the Rhode Island State Police filed affidavits linking him to the New England La Cosa Nostra and an elaborate cocaine smuggling operation through the Port of Providence.
Investigations included:
- Surveillance revealing “surveillance-conscious” behavior.
- Confidential informants describing Dino’s distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine.
- Controlled purchases of cocaine allegedly traced back to Dino.
| Question Category | Key Issue |
|---|---|
| Documentation vs. Exploitation | When does coverage of suspected criminal involvement cross into harmful sensationalism? |
| Intervention Responsibility | Who ensures public safety while safeguarding legal rights of the accused? |
| Consent Capacity | How should media respect the presumption of innocence in reporting? |
| Privacy Boundaries | Does a public figure’s notoriety justify deep investigation into their alleged criminal networks? |
These allegations have not yet resulted in convictions but have seriously impacted Dino’s public standing.
Shayanna Jenkins' Trust Fund Controversy
While Dino faced criminal allegations, Shayanna Jenkins was embroiled in her own legal battle over the management of her daughter Avielle’s trust fund. Established with funds from Aaron Hernandez’s NFL pension and Social Security benefits, the trust was intended to secure Avielle’s future.
In 2023, trustee David Schwartz refused to pay a $10,000 bill for dance lessons from the trust, citing Shayanna’s access to over $150,000 annually for the child’s expenses. Court filings questioned her spending, listing:
- $27,000+ on clothing
- $10,000+ on entertainment
- $16,000+ on car payments and washes
- Thousands on self-care and Amazon purchases
Warning: Managing a trust fund requires transparency, accountability, and a focus on the child’s best interests.
Shayanna defended herself, asserting her expenses were solely for maintaining a stable environment for her children.
Are Dino Guilmette and Shayanna Jenkins Still Together?
Speculation has often swirled around the couple’s status. While Shayanna’s social media grew quieter about Dino for a time, a pinned Instagram post in January 2025 showed them together with their daughters, suggesting they remain a family unit.
Tip: Social media silence doesn’t always signal separation—it can reflect a choice to protect family privacy.
Public records continue to identify them as engaged rather than married. For now, their exact status seems intentionally kept out of the public eye, balancing personal boundaries with public curiosity.
Dino Guilmette's Net Worth and Lifestyle
Despite multiple bankruptcies, Dino's estimated net worth in 2024 ranged between $1 million and $5 million. His primary source of income remains the bar he founded in 1997 in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Other sources include:
- Modelling work in the early 2000s
- Local celebrity appearances
- Investments, though details remain opaque
Blockquote: "I’m going to have my hands full but I’m happy about it. I’m excited. It’s my daughter." – Dino Guilmette on the birth of Giselle
His lifestyle, while at times under legal scrutiny, reflects both comfort and ambition, emblematic of many small-business owners balancing risk and reward.
