Key Takeaways
- Dina and Caroline Manzo’s feud turned violent with her home invasion tied to her ex-husband and sister.
- Dina believes Caroline got envious when she saw her sister dating her brother-in-law.
- RHONJ stars, Dina and Caroline Manzo, remain estranged after Thomas was convicted.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey are no strangers to feuds, but Dina and Caroline Manzo’s rivalry took arguing housewives to a new level.
Dina Cantin (Nee Laurita, formerly known as Manzo) and sister Caroline Manzo have been embroiled for years in a family drama which escalated to the point where Dina and her current husband were attacked in their home. Dina was formally married to her sister Caroline’s brother-in-law, Thomas, who was arrested in connection to the attack.
The two former reality TV stars have not spoken in years. Dina previously claimed that her older sister grew “jealous” when she married her husband Thomas, although the pair split in 2013.
In 2015, Thomas Manzo, Dina’s ex, was charged with hiring a hitman to attack her current partner, David Cantin. He was also linked to a home invasion in 2017 on Dina and David’s property. Dina was furious when her sister picked her ex-husband’s side during the long legal battle.
The Brutal Home Invasion On This Former RHONJ Star
Former The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dina Manzo’s ex-husband, Thomas, was indicted as an alleged accomplice for a 2017 home invasion, which involved Dina and her current partner to being tied up before their property was robbed.
The attack happened in May 2017, as Dina and her then-fiance drove home after attending a First Communion party for Dina’s goddaughter Audriana Giudice, Teresa Giudice‘s daughter. As they arrived at their Californian home, two men were allegedly waiting, including “an Italian guy with a North Jersey accent” who allegedly told the couple, “This is what happens when you f*** with people from Paterson,” according to records.
According to police reports, the couple were tied up with zip ties, assaulted with a baseball bat, her new engagement ring and $500 were robbed. Dina explains the ordeal as “two men in our house who assaulted us and zip-tied us together.”
“I have physical injuries, emotional injuries, lingering fear… I thought I was going to die.”
During the terrifying ideal Dina said she went through “a very beautiful moment, oddly enough,” in which she “went through my whole life.”
“It was the most peace I’ve ever felt … kind of [becoming] proud of myself for my accomplishments through my life and grateful to understand true love.”
Thomas Manzo has also been accused of hiring a member of the Lucchese Crime Family to assault Dave back in 2015. On December 16, 2020, Lucchese crime family soldier John Perna pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on Dave Cantin after Thomas Manzo hired him. John carried out the assault in exchange for a discounted price for his wedding reception.
On June 4, 2024, Thomas Manzo was convicted of three felonies, with sentencing scheduled for October. He was convicted of one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity, one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of falsifying and concealing documents related to a federal investigation.
How Did The Feud Between Caroline And Dina Start?
Former The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo is married to Thomas’ brother, Albert Manzo. She has expressed support for her brother-in-law throughout this trial, prompting Dina to speak out.
Caroline asked the judge to free her brother-in-law after his arrest in connection to the home invasion and described Thomas as “kind-hearted and caring” in a letter read at a hearing,
Dina admits that their appearance on the Bravo show led to the breakdown in their relationship. Dina was an original cast member and appeared 2009-2010 and 2014, as well as starring in her own party-planning television series Dina’s Party.
Dina, who left RHONJ mid-way through season 2, believes her sister became jealous of her after Dina rebuilt her life after her first divorce and started dating Thomas Manzo.
“I think what happened was, you know, there’s always some competition in families, so everyone loved when I was like the poor sister, when I was working my a*s off or whatever. Although she encouraged me dating her brother-in-law [Dina’s ex-husband Tommy Manzo], I don’t think she loved it too much when I kinda came to her level, as far as like ‘I have a range rover, I got a house in Franklin Lakes,’ so I think that’s where it started.”
It is thought that the two sisters are still estranged, although Caroline admitted she was “heartbroken,” upon hearing about Dina’s home invasion ordeal.
What Happened Between RHONJ Star Dolores Catania and Dina Manzo
Although they never shared the screen, with Dina leaving before Delores Catania joined RHONJ, the pair are old friends. “Dolores and I were super close. Like season one, she was actually one of the original cast members that was supposed to come on as my best friend because we were best friends.”
But an incident happened that made Dina start to distrust Dolores.
“[Dolores] was on the phone with someone who didn’t really care for my ex-husband. And she didn’t know that I could hear the conversation like the cell phone was loud. He was trashing Tommy and his brother, and she was like ‘Yeah, yeah. They ain’t no good.’ And here I am hearing the whole thing. It turned me off so much…”
“That’s what made me take a step back from our relationship.”
After hearing this phone call, Dina took a step back from her friendship with Dolores. “Then after that, something happened and she started hanging out more with Jacqueline [Laurita]. She wanted to be back on the show… And then all of a sudden, she just didn’t talk to me anymore.”
This feud reared its head in the 13th season of RHONJ after Dolores was not invited to Teresa’s engagement party. Teresa felt it inappropriate to invite Dolores out of respect for Dina.
Dolores admits that she and Dina “never had a fight or a falling out.”
“Sometimes friendships have expiration dates. There’s no rhyme or reason why two people have to always stay in each other’s lives. You don’t need to get in a fight to go separate ways… She moved to California, I’m here on the show, she’s not.”.