Almost everyone has heard of Steve Bannon. He’s a well-known name in American politics. But here’s a question few can answer. Who was the Irish woman he once married?
Her name is Diane Clohesy. She was Steve Bannon’s third wife, back in the late 2000s. Yet most people know very little about her.
Here’s something interesting to start. Long before America, Diane competed in Ireland’s famous Rose of Tralee. She dreamed of modeling and chased that dream across the ocean.
In this article, we’ll get to know Diane Clohesy. We’ll explore her Irish roots, her career, and her marriage to Bannon. We’ll also stick to the facts and respect her private life. Let’s begin.
Who Is Diane Clohesy?
So, who is Diane Clohesy, really? In simple terms, she is best known as Steve Bannon’s ex-wife. That marriage is what first brought her name to public attention.
But there’s more to her than that link. Diane Clohesy is Irish-American, with roots in both countries. She carries a bit of Ireland wherever she goes.
She also built her own working life. Diane started out as a model and later moved into film. Over time, she worked as a producer behind the scenes.
Away from the cameras, Diane keeps things quiet. She lives a private, low-key life out of the spotlight. And honestly, some personal details about her aren’t publicly confirmed, which we’ll be upfront about.
Diane Clohesy’s Early Life in Ireland
Let’s rewind to where it all began. Diane Clohesy was born and raised in Castletroy. It’s a suburb of Limerick, in Ireland.
By all accounts, she enjoyed a happy childhood there. Ireland shaped her early years and her warm personality. Those roots stayed with her for life.
Family was part of her story, too. Diane has a brother named Declan. Even today, her family reportedly still lives in Limerick, Ireland.
Beyond this, not much about her early life is public. Diane has kept those details private over the years. What we do know is that Ireland gave her a strong start before she set off for America.
The Rose of Tralee and Modeling Start
Here’s where Diane’s public story really begins. In 1990, Diane Clohesy took part in the Rose of Tralee. It’s a famous festival celebrated by the Irish community around the world.
For a young woman, this was a big moment. She represented her local area in the event. It put her in the spotlight for the first time.
Around this time, Diane worked as a model in Limerick. Her talent didn’t go unnoticed. Her agent, Celia Holman Lee, later praised her as a beautiful woman with a huge personality.
This early success lit a spark in her. Diane dreamed of a bigger modeling career. And she knew just the place to chase it: the United States. That dream would soon take her across the sea.
Moving to America and College
So Diane took a brave leap. In the early 1990s, she moved from Ireland to the United States. She was still a young woman in her early 20s.
Why make such a big move? Simple: opportunity. America offered far more chances for a rising model. Diane wanted to grow, learn, and build a real future.
She also valued education. At age 24, Diane Clohesy enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. There, she studied Marketing and Communications.
Her hard work paid off. Diane graduated from the school in 1998. This mix of modeling and marketing skills would shape the next chapter of her life, including how she met a certain political figure.
Here’s the second half, keeping the same easy, friendly tone and staying on the public, non-damaging record as we agreed.
How She Met Steve Bannon
Now for the turning point in her story. How did Diane Clohesy meet Steve Bannon? Their paths crossed in New York in the late 1990s.
The two reportedly met around 1999. By then, Bannon’s earlier marriages had already ended. He was ready for a fresh chapter, and so was Diane.
Their romance grew quickly. Before long, they moved in together in Laguna Beach, California. It was a sunny, laid-back place to build a relationship.
A few years later, they made another move. Around 2003, Diane and Steve relocated to Florida. Their bond kept growing stronger with each passing year.
Diane Clohesy and Steve Bannon’s Marriage
After years together, the couple took the big step. In 2006, Diane Clohesy and Steve Bannon got married. They had been a couple for several years before saying “I do.”
Following the wedding, they moved again. This time, the pair settled into a home in Manhattan, New York. It was a fresh start in a busy, exciting city.
Sadly, the marriage didn’t last long. Diane and Steve were married for about three years. During that time, the couple did not have any children together.
By 2008, things were shifting. They sold their Florida home that year. Then, in 2009, their divorce was finalized. One chapter closed, but their story wasn’t quite over.
Life and Friendship After Divorce
Here’s a surprising and kind part of the story. Even after the divorce, Diane and Steve stayed on good terms. There was no loud, bitter fallout between them.
In fact, they kept working together. The two collaborated on several film and media projects. Their professional bond continued well past the marriage.
Bannon also offered her support. Reports say he helped Diane with housing for a number of years. That kind of ongoing care is rare after a split.
Through it all, Diane Clohesy kept her private life quiet. She chose peace over publicity. It’s clear she preferred to handle her personal world away from the headlines.
Diane Clohesy’s Film Career
Beyond modeling, Diane built a real career in film. She worked as a producer and social media manager. Behind the scenes, she helped bring several projects to life.
One of her notable credits was The Undefeated (2011). This documentary was based on Sarah Palin’s story. It was a big project in conservative media at the time.
She took on more work, too. In Occupy Unmasked (2012), Diane served as an assistant producer. She also worked on the documentary District of Corruption (2012).
On top of that, Diane contributed to Breitbart News. She helped with social media and production tasks there. Step by step, she grew into a skilled media professional in her own right.
Who Is Steve Bannon?
To understand Diane’s story, it helps to know her famous ex. So, who is Steve Bannon? He is an American political strategist and media executive.
Bannon rose to fame in politics. He served as CEO of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Later, he briefly became White House Chief Strategist in 2017.
But his career started long before that. Bannon served in the U.S. Navy, then worked as an investment banker. He even spent time producing films in Hollywood.
He’s also a media figure. In 2007, Bannon co-founded the news website Breitbart News. Over the years, he became one of the most talked-about names in American politics.
Steve Bannon’s Earlier Marriages
Diane was actually Bannon’s third wife. He had been married twice before meeting her. Knowing this adds helpful context to his life.
His first wife was Cathleen Houff. Together, they had a daughter named Maureen, born in 1988. Maureen went on to attend West Point and served in the military. She’s had an impressive path of her own.
His second marriage was to Mary Louise Piccard, in 1995. The couple welcomed twin daughters. However, that marriage ended a couple of years later.
More than a decade passed before Bannon married again. That’s when Diane Clohesy came into his life. Their 2006 wedding marked his third and, so far, final marriage.
Where Is Diane Clohesy Now?
So where is Diane Clohesy today? The simple answer is that she lives a private, quiet life. She has stepped far away from the public eye.
Reports suggest she has lived in California in recent years. There, she reportedly worked as a consultant. Her focus included marketing, business development, and product ideas.
She’s also shown interest in other fields. Some sources link her to work in areas like skincare and new products. It seems she likes to stay busy and creative.
Beyond that, much about her current life stays unknown. And that’s by her own choice. Diane clearly values her privacy, and that decision deserves respect.
Interesting Facts About Diane Clohesy
- She was born and raised in Castletroy, a suburb of Limerick, Ireland, and her family reportedly still lives there today.
- She competed in Ireland’s famous Rose of Tralee festival in 1990, one of her first moments in the public eye.
- Her modeling agent, Celia Holman Lee, once described her as a beautiful woman with a “huge personality.”
- She moved from Ireland to the United States in the early 1990s to chase bigger modeling opportunities.
- She studied Marketing and Communications at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, graduating in 1998.
- She has a brother named Declan, who has spoken publicly about their close family.
- She met Steve Bannon around 1999 and dated him for several years before they married in 2006.
Bottom Line
Diane Clohesy’s story is one of change and quiet strength. She grew up in Ireland, chased a modeling dream, and built a new life in America. That took real courage.
Her journey led her through modeling, marketing, and film. Along the way, she married Steve Bannon and later found a peaceful path after their divorce. Notably, the two stayed friendly.
Today, Diane Clohesy lives far from the headlines. She values her privacy, and that’s perfectly fair. In the end, she’s more than a famous ex-wife. She’s an Irish-American woman who quietly built a life on her own terms.
(FAQs)
Where is Diane Clohesy from?
She was born and raised in Castletroy, a suburb of Limerick, Ireland. She later moved to the United States in the early 1990s.
What does Diane Clohesy do?
She began as a model and later worked as a film producer and social media manager. Her credits include documentaries like The Undefeated and Occupy Unmasked.
Did Diane Clohesy compete in the Rose of Tralee?
Yes. She took part in the 1990 Rose of Tralee, a famous festival celebrated by the Irish community around the world.
Are Diane Clohesy and Steve Bannon still in touch?
After their 2009 divorce, they stayed on good terms and worked together on projects. Bannon also reportedly supported her for several years.
Where is Diane Clohesy now?
She lives a private life, reportedly in California, and has worked as a consultant. She stays out of the public spotlight by choice.
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