Star Jones Husband: Ricardo Lugo’s Life & Career

From her groundbreaking role as an original co-host on The View to her current position presiding over Divorce Court, Star Jones has lived much of her life in the public eye. While her professional journey—marked by legal expertise, television success, and public challenges—has been well-documented, her personal life has found a profound and steady anchor in her marriage to attorney Ricardo “Rick” Lugo. Their story is one of second chances, shared values, and a deep family bond that has brought lasting joy to the television personality.

This article delves into the life of Ricardo Lugo, exploring his professional background, his relationship with Star Jones, and the family they have built together.

Who is Star Jones’ Husband ?

Ricardo Lugo is husband of Star Jones. He is an accomplished legal professional in his own right. His life with Star Jones represents a partnership of equals, rooted in mutual understanding of the demanding legal world and a shared commitment to family. While he maintains a more private profile compared to his wife, his role as a supportive partner and devoted father is central to Jones’s life story of resilience and renewal.

The Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo Relationship Timeline

The relationship between Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo is a modern love story that began online and blossomed into a enduring partnership. Both having experienced divorce—Jones was previously married to banker Al Reynolds from 2004 to 2008—they found each other at the right time.

Table: Key Milestones in Their Relationship

Their initial connection was sparked by strikingly similar usernames on a dating platform: “Starlet54LawyerNewYork” and “Ricardo54LawyerChicago”. After talking for eight weeks, their first date at a French restaurant featuring champagne tasting lasted four days.

Family Life: A “Bonus Mom” and Her Son

A central and cherished part of Jones and Lugo’s union is his son, Jake, from a previous relationship. Jones has warmly and publicly embraced her role as a stepmother. When they began appearing together publicly in 2016, Jake was often by their side. Jones has referred to herself as Jake’s “bonus mom” and “Jake’s noni,” and the family celebrated together at the University of Southern California during parents’ weekend in 2023.

For Jones, building this family unit has been profoundly meaningful. She has stated that her mother and grandmother, who passed away not long after her marriage, were able to rest easy knowing she was “safely in the arms of someone who would love [her] forever”.

Public Life and Shared Interests

While Lugo is not a television personality, he and Star Jones share a vibrant public life together. They are frequently seen at high-profile events, from the Angel Ball to charity galas. The couple, who split their time between Chicago and East Hampton, are also avid travelers who enjoy stylish vacations to destinations like Napa Valley, Italy, and Greece.

Their social media posts, especially around anniversaries and birthdays, offer glimpses into a relationship filled with mutual admiration. For her birthday in 2024, Lugo posted a tribute calling her his “beautiful wife”.

Ricardo Lugo: Background and Career

Ricardo “Rick” Lugo’s personal and professional journey is a testament to dedication. A native of Chicago, he grew up in the city’s Cabrini-Green and Humboldt Park neighborhoods as one of twelve siblings.

His academic path laid the foundation for a career in public service and law. He played varsity soccer and made the dean’s list at Benedictine University in Illinois, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Lugo’s career has spanned several important roles within the legal system of Cook County, Illinois:

• Public Service: He served as a U.S. Probation Officer and a Deputy Public Defender early in his career.
• Prosecution: He worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County.
• Judicial Administration: He held positions as Chief Investigator and Chief Deputy Clerk of the Cook County Clerk of Court.
• Family Law Advocate: He worked at the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, a firm known for advocating for fathers’ rights in custody cases.
• Administrative Law Judge: He currently serves as an Administrative Law Judge, conducting hearings on municipal code violations.

Lugo is also actively involved in professional and community organizations, including the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Spanish Action Committee of Chicago.

Table: Ricardo Lugo At a Glance

How old is Ricardo Lugo?

He is assumed to be close in age to Star Jones, who was born in 1962.

What is Ricardo Lugo’s net worth?

His exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. As a seasoned legal professional and administrative law judge, he has a stable and successful career, but specific financial details remain private.

Do Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo have children together?

They do not have biological children together. However, Jones is a proud stepmother (or “bonus mom”) to Lugo’s son, Jake, from a previous relationship.

Conclusion

The narrative of Star Jones and Ricardo Lugo transcends a typical celebrity marriage story. It is a narrative of two accomplished individuals who found partnership and profound personal happiness on their own terms. Their relationship, built on the shared foundation of legal careers, a love for family, and mutual support, has provided Jones with a well-documented “safe place” away from the spotlight’s glare.

From a cruise ship wedding in the Bahamas to vow renewals in the Greek Isles, their journey reflects a love that is both intentionally celebrated and deeply rooted in the day-to-day fabric of family and partnership. In Ricardo Lugo, Star Jones has found not just a husband, but a true life partner—a reality that answers the public’s curiosity with a story of enduring, grounded love.