Discover the life of Dino Guilmette, entrepreneur and former boxer known as Shayanna Jenkins’ partner. Explore his boxing career, business ventures, family life with daughter Giselle, and connection to Aaron Hernandez.
Quick Facts About Dino Guilmette
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dino J. Guilmette |
| Date of Birth | August 11, 1978 |
| Age | 47 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Birthplace | Cranston, Rhode Island, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 70 kg (154 lbs) |
| Education | MBA in Finance from University of Rhode Island (2000) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Former Amateur Boxer, Bar Owner |
| Boxing Ring Name | “The Ghost” |
| Partner | Shayanna Jenkins (relationship status unclear) |
| Children | Three daughters: Mia Guilmette, Giselle Guilmette, and stepdaughter Avielle Janelle Hernandez |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1-5 million (2025) |
| Residence | Cranston, Rhode Island |
| Parents | William Guilmette II and Donna Guilmette |
| Siblings | Eight (one of nine children) |
Dino Guilmette Biography
Dino Guilmette has lived a life marked by athletic pursuits, entrepreneurial ventures, and unexpected media attention. Born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island, Guilmette grew up as one of nine children in a close-knit Italian-American family. His upbringing instilled values of hard work, resilience, and family loyalty that would shape his adult life.
Growing up in Rhode Island’s tight community, Guilmette developed interests in sports early on. He pursued higher education seriously, ultimately earning a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Rhode Island’s Feinstein Providence Campus in 2000. This educational foundation would later prove valuable as he navigated the business world.
Before becoming known publicly, Guilmette lived relatively privately, focusing on building his business interests and pursuing his passion for boxing. His life would eventually intersect with national headlines through his relationship with Shayanna Jenkins, but his story extends far beyond that connection.
Dino Guilmette Boxing Career
Before establishing himself as an entrepreneur, Dino Guilmette made his mark in Rhode Island’s amateur boxing scene. Known by the ring name “The Ghost,” he developed a reputation for elusive fighting tactics that made him respected in local boxing circles.
While Guilmette never transitioned to professional boxing, he remained active in the sport for several years. Boxing taught him discipline, physical toughness, and mental toughness—traits that would benefit him in future business endeavors. He trained at Providence’s Balletto Gym, where he honed his skills and built connections within Rhode Island’s boxing community.
In 2017, Guilmette participated in a notable “Brawl For It All” event in Providence, facing off against Louis Savastano, a former professional baseball player. The bout raised donations for the Gary Balletto Foundation, demonstrating Guilmette’s willingness to step into the ring for charitable causes. Despite the personal rivalry between the fighters, the event showcased Guilmette’s continued connection to combat sports.
Though his boxing career was relatively brief compared to professional fighters, it remained an important chapter in shaping the man he would become. The discipline and mental fortitude required in boxing translated well into his subsequent business ventures.
Dino Guilmette Entrepreneur
Guilmette’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1997 when he established his first bar in Rhode Island. This venture marked the beginning of his business career in the hospitality industry, an area where he would focus much of his professional energy.
Armed with his MBA in Finance, Guilmette approached business with strategic thinking. He built his reputation as a bar owner in the Cranston area, creating establishments that became fixtures in the local community. His business approach was notably low-key—preferring to work behind the scenes rather than seeking publicity or fame.
However, Guilmette’s entrepreneurial path wasn’t without challenges. Financial records indicate he faced bankruptcies in both 2005 and 2014, setbacks that would test his resilience. Despite these difficulties, he managed to rebuild and maintain his business operations, demonstrating the same perseverance he showed in the boxing ring.
Beyond bar ownership, Guilmette briefly explored modeling between 2002 and 2003, working with One Model Place agency in editorial, runway, and swimwear categories. He also took on small roles in independent film and theater productions in the early 2000s, showing his willingness to diversify his experiences.
As of 2025, Guilmette’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million, primarily derived from his hospitality business ventures. While not a billionaire, his consistent work and business acumen have allowed him to maintain financial stability and provide for his family.
Dino Guilmette Shayanna Jenkins
The relationship between Dino Guilmette and Shayanna Jenkins thrust him into public consciousness in a way his business ventures never had. The two met in 2017 through mutual friends, during an incredibly difficult period in Jenkins’ life following the death of her fiancé, Aaron Hernandez.
Guilmette told media outlets that he and Jenkins “just hit it off from the beginning,” forming an immediate connection. Their relationship developed quickly, offering both individuals a chance at new beginnings amid personal challenges.
In May 2018, Jenkins announced via Instagram that she was expecting a child. Guilmette confirmed to media that he was the father, expressing excitement: “I’m going to have my hands full but I’m happy about it. I’m excited. It’s my daughter.”
Their relationship represented more than just a romantic partnership—it was the blending of two families with complex histories. Guilmette embraced his role not just as a partner to Jenkins but as a father figure in a household that required sensitivity, understanding, and commitment.
Guilmette’s father, Bill, spoke warmly of Jenkins: “Shayanna is a lovely young lady. She really is a special person. I adore her.” The elder Guilmette expressed hope that his son would eventually marry Jenkins, as his other children had done.
However, the current status of their relationship remains unclear. In recent years, Guilmette has been notably absent from Jenkins’ social media posts, leading to speculation about whether they remain together. Both have maintained privacy regarding their personal lives, neither confirming nor denying the relationship’s status.
Dino Guilmette Aaron Hernandez Connection
Many people wonder about the connection between Dino Guilmette and the late Aaron Hernandez. While they never had a close personal relationship, there are notable connections worth understanding.
Both Guilmette and Hernandez played football at the University of Florida, though they were not on the team simultaneously and did not develop a friendship during their time there. This shared institutional connection is often mentioned but represents a relatively minor link between the two men.
The more significant connection, of course, is through Shayanna Jenkins. Aaron Hernandez and Jenkins began dating in high school and maintained an on-and-off relationship for years. They became engaged in 2012, the same year their daughter Avielle was born. However, their relationship effectively ended when Hernandez was arrested in 2013 for the murder of Odin Lloyd, Jenkins’ sister’s boyfriend.
Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015 and died by apparent suicide in his prison cell on April 19, 2017. Following his death, Jenkins faced the challenge of raising their daughter alone while processing grief and navigating complex legal and financial matters related to Hernandez’s estate.
Guilmette entered Jenkins’ life several months after Hernandez’s death, offering support during her journey toward healing and rebuilding. While some scrutinized the timeline of their relationship, both Guilmette and Jenkins have maintained that they met through mutual friends and developed their connection naturally.
It’s important to note that Guilmette has no family relation to Hernandez beyond his role as stepfather to Hernandez’s daughter, Avielle. The Aaron Hernandez connection is primarily circumstantial, arising from Guilmette’s relationship with Jenkins rather than any direct personal history between the two men.
Dino Guilmette Daughter Giselle
On June 15, 2018, Dino Guilmette and Shayanna Jenkins welcomed their daughter, Giselle Guilmette, into the world. Her birth came approximately one month after Jenkins publicly announced her pregnancy on Instagram.
Speaking about the upcoming birth, Guilmette told media: “She will have two sisters. I have another daughter from a previous relationship and then there’s Shayanna’s daughter with Aaron. It’s very exciting.”
Giselle’s arrival created a blended family dynamic that Guilmette embraced wholeheartedly. She joined her half-sister Mia Guilmette (Dino’s daughter from a previous relationship) and her older sister Avielle Janelle Hernandez (Shayanna’s daughter with Aaron Hernandez, born on November 6, 2012).
According to sources close to the family, the three girls share a close bond. Guilmette has been described as a devoted father who takes his parental responsibilities seriously, providing a stable and loving environment for all three daughters.
Jenkins occasionally shares glimpses of family life on social media, though she has become increasingly private in recent years. The few photos that do emerge show a family unit that appears close and supportive, with Guilmette playing an active role in the girls’ lives.
For Giselle, born into a situation that attracted media attention, her parents have worked to provide as normal a childhood as possible, shielding her from excessive public scrutiny while balancing the reality of their public profiles.
Dino Guilmette Rhode Island
Dino Guilmette’s roots in Rhode Island run deep. Born in Cranston on August 11, 1978, he has maintained strong ties to the Ocean State throughout his life. Cranston, Rhode Island, remains his primary residence, where he continues to operate his business interests.
Growing up in Rhode Island shaped Guilmette’s identity significantly. As one of nine children in the Guilmette family, he experienced a upbringing grounded in community and family values typical of Rhode Island’s close-knit neighborhoods. His parents, William Guilmette II and Donna Guilmette, raised their large family in the state, creating a network of siblings that includes William Guillemette III (who passed away in 2016), Dina Patnaud, Michelle, Tammy, Kathy Guilmette Cipriano, Maria, Debbie Ziadeh, and Patti Davis.
Guilmette’s business ventures have been primarily centered in Rhode Island. His bar, established in 1997, operates in the Cranston area, serving the local community he knows intimately. This geographical loyalty has been a constant throughout his adult life, even as his relationship with Jenkins brought national media attention.
The Rhode Island boxing scene also played a crucial role in Guilmette’s development. Training at Providence’s Balletto Gym, he became a recognized figure in local amateur boxing circles. His 2017 “Brawl For It All” match against Louis Savastano took place in Providence, demonstrating his continued involvement in the state’s sporting community.
Rhode Island’s relatively small size creates a tight-knit community where Guilmette’s reputation—both in business and boxing—precedes him. While he maintains a low public profile compared to some associated with high-profile cases, he remains a known figure in Rhode Island’s business and social circles.
Dino Guilmette Family
Family has always been central to Dino Guilmette’s life story. Growing up as one of nine children taught him the importance of family bonds and mutual support—values he has carried into his own role as a father.
His parents, William Guilmette II and Donna Guilmette, raised their large family in Rhode Island with strong values and close connections. The loss of his brother William Guilmette III in 2016 was a significant tragedy for the family, bringing them closer together in grief and demonstrating the strong bonds that continue to connect the Guilmette siblings.
When discussing his upcoming daughter with the media, Guilmette’s father Bill expressed enthusiasm: “Shayanna is a lovely young lady. She really is a special person. I adore her.” The elder Guilmette’s support for his son’s relationship showed the family’s welcoming attitude toward Jenkins and her daughter.
As a father himself, Guilmette has three daughters:
- Mia Guilmette – His daughter from a previous relationship, about whom he maintains privacy regarding her mother and specific details
- Giselle Guilmette – Born June 15, 2018, to Dino and Shayanna Jenkins
- Avielle Janelle Hernandez – His stepdaughter, Shayanna’s daughter with Aaron Hernandez, born November 6, 2012
Guilmette has reportedly embraced his role as stepfather to Avielle, treating all three girls as part of one family unit. According to sources, the sisters share close relationships, with Guilmette providing a stable father figure for all of them.
His approach to fatherhood appears to prioritize privacy and normalcy for his children, keeping them largely out of the public eye despite the media attention surrounding his relationship with Jenkins. This protective stance reflects his broader preference for maintaining boundaries between his personal life and public scrutiny.
The blended family dynamic presents unique challenges, particularly given the complex history surrounding Avielle’s father. However, by all public accounts, Guilmette has approached these challenges with maturity and dedication, focusing on creating a supportive environment for his daughters.
Dino Guilmette Age
Born on August 11, 1978, Dino Guilmette is currently 47 years old as of January 2026. His zodiac sign is Leo, an astrological designation associated with traits like confidence, determination, and loyalty—characteristics that align with his life story.
At 47, Guilmette finds himself in a phase of life where his business experience and personal maturity intersect. His age represents decades of accumulated knowledge from his varied pursuits: amateur boxing in his twenties, establishing businesses in his twenties and thirties, and navigating complex family dynamics in his forties.
The age difference between Guilmette and Shayanna Jenkins (who was born in 1989, making her approximately 11 years younger) has occasionally been noted in media coverage, though it has not appeared to be a significant factor in their relationship.
Guilmette’s age also provides context for his life experiences. At 47, he belongs to a generation that came of age before social media dominance, which may partially explain his preference for privacy and his limited online presence. His approach to public attention reflects values formed in an era when personal matters remained more easily shielded from public view.
Physically, Guilmette maintains the athletic build developed during his boxing years. Standing approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 70 kilograms (154 pounds), he has preserved the fitness mindset cultivated through years of training and athletic discipline.
Legal Challenges and Controversies
While Guilmette has largely maintained a low profile, his life has not been without legal complications. In his youth, he faced a felony assault charge at age 18 involving a dangerous weapon, which resulted in probation. This early brush with the law marked a difficult period in his young adulthood.
More recently, Rhode Island State Police conducted investigations involving Guilmette. According to law enforcement documents, investigations beginning around 2019 examined allegations related to organized criminal activity. In December 2021, authorities executed search warrants at locations connected to Guilmette as part of these ongoing investigations.
These legal matters have brought unwanted attention and raised questions about Guilmette’s activities. However, it’s important to note that investigations do not equal convictions, and the ultimate outcomes of these matters remain unclear in public records.
Guilmette has also faced financial challenges throughout his business career. Public bankruptcy filings in 2005 and 2014 reveal periods of financial difficulty, though he ultimately recovered from these setbacks to rebuild his business operations.
These controversies and challenges add complexity to Guilmette’s story. They represent difficulties he has faced while simultaneously demonstrating resilience in overcoming obstacles and continuing to provide for his family.
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Current Life and Future Outlook
As of 2026, Dino Guilmette’s current situation remains somewhat mysterious due to his preference for privacy. His relationship status with Shayanna Jenkins is unclear, as he has been notably absent from her recent social media posts. Whether this represents a relationship that has ended or simply increased privacy is unknown.
What is clear is that Guilmette continues to reside in Rhode Island, where he maintains his business interests. His primary focus appears to be on his entrepreneurial ventures and his responsibilities as a father to his daughters.
Guilmette’s approach to life has consistently favored privacy over publicity. Unlike many associated with high-profile stories who seek to capitalize on media attention, he has largely avoided the spotlight, preferring to conduct his business and personal life away from public scrutiny.
Looking forward, Guilmette’s path will likely continue to balance his business interests with his family responsibilities. Any ongoing legal matters will need resolution, and his business ventures will require continued attention to maintain financial stability.
For someone thrust into public awareness through circumstances rather than seeking fame, Guilmette’s future likely holds more of the same: quiet persistence in building his businesses, dedication to his daughters, and a preference for keeping personal matters private.
Conclusion
Dino Guilmette’s life story defies simple categorization. He is simultaneously a former athlete, an entrepreneur, a father, and a man connected to one of sports’ most tragic stories—yet none of these labels fully captures who he is.
From his beginnings as one of nine children in Cranston, Rhode Island, through his amateur boxing career as “The Ghost,” to his establishment as a business owner and his role in a blended family, Guilmette’s journey reflects both ordinary struggles and extraordinary circumstances.
His relationship with Shayanna Jenkins brought him into the public eye in a way his business ventures never would have. Yet even under that spotlight, he has maintained boundaries, protecting his privacy and that of his children while navigating complex personal and legal challenges.
What emerges from the available information is a portrait of resilience: someone who has faced financial setbacks, legal troubles, personal loss, and intense public scrutiny, yet continues moving forward. His commitment to his daughters, his persistence in rebuilding businesses after bankruptcies, and his embrace of a blended family situation all speak to a character defined by determination rather than seeking easy paths.
In an age of social media oversharing and reality television fame-seeking, Dino Guilmette represents something different—a person who finds himself in headlines but doesn’t live for them, who faces challenges quietly rather than publicly, and who measures success in terms of family and stability rather than fame and fortune.
Whether his relationship with Shayanna Jenkins continues, whether his business ventures flourish, or whether legal matters are resolved favorably, Guilmette’s story reminds us that behind every headline is a complex human being navigating life’s challenges with whatever tools they possess. In his case, those tools appear to be resilience, family dedication, and a preference for letting his actions speak louder than his words.
