Joey Buttafuoco’s wife is Evanka Franjko, a Croatian-born woman who has largely remained outside the public eye. She married the former auto-body-shop owner in 2005, years after his criminal relationship with Amy Fisher turned the Buttafuoco name into a fixture of American tabloid coverage.
Despite her husband’s notoriety, Evanka has never built a conventional entertainment career. She has occasionally attended events and participated in interviews with Joey, but she generally keeps her family, work and everyday life private. Consequently, many claims about her age, education, height and wealth cannot be independently verified.
Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Evanka Franjko |
| Married name | Evanka Franjko Buttafuoco |
| Reported birth year | Around 1961 or 1962 |
| Estimated age | Approximately 64–65 in 2026 |
| Heritage | Croatian |
| Reported birthplace | Former Yugoslavia |
| Residence | Los Angeles area, California |
| Husband | Joey Buttafuoco |
| Marriage date | March 5, 2005 |
| Children together | None publicly confirmed |
| Known for | Being Joey Buttafuoco’s second wife |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Early life
Evanka is widely described as having Croatian roots. Some contemporary reports called her Yugoslavian-born, which would be historically possible because Croatia was part of Yugoslavia until 1991. Her exact birthplace and immigration history have not been documented by an authoritative public source.
Several online profiles claim that she was born on March 24, 1962. However, no official record or direct interview confirms that date. A New York Post report from May 2007 described Evanka as 45, placing her birth sometime around 1961 or 1962. Therefore, she would be approximately 64 or 65 in 2026, but her precise age remains unconfirmed.
Little reliable information exists about her childhood and relatives. Claims that she has a brother named Frank Franjko or attended California State University, Northridge, appear on biography websites without dependable supporting evidence.
Meeting Joey
Evanka reportedly met Joey after bringing her vehicle to his auto-body shop in Southern California. They formed a connection and began dating during the early 2000s.
During a reported 2015 appearance on Crime Watch Daily, Joey said that Evanka had helped turn his life “right side up.” Evanka explained that he had been honest with her about his troubled history and that she recognised the pain surrounding it. She encouraged him to focus on the future rather than remain trapped by his past.
That perspective became one of the most frequently quoted aspects of their relationship. It also helped explain why she stayed with a man whose name had been linked to one of the most heavily covered criminal scandals of the 1990s.
Their marriage
Evanka and Joey married on March 5, 2005, roughly two years after his divorce from Mary Jo Buttafuoco. Reports place their wedding at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
The marriage brought Evanka more public attention than she had previously experienced. She accompanied Joey to selected entertainment events, including the 2006 Lingerie Bowl and a 2011 celebrity boxing event in Hollywood. Even so, she never became a regular reality television personality.
Updated coverage from A&E confirms that Joey remarried Evanka in 2005. Later accounts continue to describe them as husband and wife, suggesting that their marriage has lasted for more than two decades.
Divorce filing
Evanka filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 4, 2007, after approximately two years of marriage. She cited irreconcilable differences. Reports at the time connected the marital tension to Joey’s renewed communication with Amy Fisher, although the couple did not publicly provide a detailed joint explanation.
The petition reportedly described their assets as “consumer debt only.” Evanka withdrew the filing the following month, and the divorce was never completed. Articles that describe her as Joey’s former wife are therefore misleading; subsequent reporting continued to identify her as his spouse.
Children and family
No reliable source confirms that Evanka and Joey have children together. Joey has two children, Paul and Jessica “Jessie” Buttafuoco, from his first marriage to Mary Jo.
Some websites claim that Evanka has a son from an earlier marriage, while others state that she has no biological children. These conflicting accounts lack sufficient documentation. The name of a reported former husband and details about a supposed child should not be presented as fact without reliable records.
Evanka’s relationship with Joey’s adult children has also remained private. Jessie has spoken publicly about growing up inside the Buttafuoco family, but she has shared little verified information about her stepmother.
Career
Evanka’s occupation is not publicly established. A 2005 New York Post report quoted her while covering an ice-cream business she and Joey were attempting to operate in California. This provides some evidence that she participated in a family business.
However, it does not support the broad claims that she is a successful entrepreneur or established business executive. There is also no dependable evidence that she worked as an actress, model or television presenter.
The most accurate description is that Evanka is a private individual who has reportedly participated in business activities with her husband.
Height and appearance
Many biography pages list Evanka’s height as 5 feet 8 inches and her weight as approximately 132 pounds. No recognised publication, official profile or direct statement verifies either measurement.
Public event photographs show her with brown eyes and hair that has appeared brown or reddish-blonde at different times. Claims about her body measurements should be omitted because they are unsupported and add little meaningful information to her story.
Net worth
Evanka Franjko’s net worth is not publicly confirmed. She has not disclosed her income, property, investments or other assets. Online estimates are speculative and do not cite financial records.
Joey’s wealth should not be treated as hers. Celebrity-finance websites have estimated his net worth at around $20,000, but this is not an audited figure. The couple’s reported reference to consumer debt in the 2007 divorce filing also cannot establish their finances nearly two decades later.
Social media
Evanka does not appear to maintain a verified public Instagram, X or TikTok account. Facebook profiles using variations of Evanka Franjko-Buttafuoco have appeared online, but they have not received formal platform verification.
Because another person with a similar name may appear in search results, publishers should avoid linking accounts without checking photographs, history and connections. Evanka is best described as having no confirmed public social-media presence.
Who is Joey Buttafuoco?
Joey Buttafuoco was born on March 11, 1956, in Massapequa, New York. He became nationally infamous after beginning a sexual relationship with Amy Fisher when she was underage.
On May 19, 1992, Fisher went to the Buttafuoco family home and shot Joey’s first wife, Mary Jo, in the face. Mary Jo survived but experienced lasting injuries. Joey eventually admitted having sex with Fisher while knowing her age, pleaded guilty to statutory rape and served four months of a six-month sentence.
Mary Jo remained married to Joey for several years after the attack. The family moved to California, but she eventually filed for divorce in 2003. Joey later faced additional legal cases involving solicitation, insurance fraud and illegal possession of ammunition.
Evanka was not involved in the 1992 shooting or Joey’s relationship with Fisher. She met him years later and should not be portrayed as a participant in his earlier crimes.
Life today
Evanka and Joey have reportedly remained in the Los Angeles area. Recent photographs and personal updates are limited because Evanka has moved away from regular public appearances.
Her story is less about celebrity achievement and more about choosing privacy while married to a controversial public figure. Although online profiles often fill the gaps with precise but unsupported personal details, the confirmed picture is simple: she is a Croatian-born woman who married Joey in 2005, withdrew a divorce petition in 2007 and has largely stayed outside the spotlight ever since.
Conclusion
Evanka Franjko became known through her marriage to Joey Buttafuoco, but she has never appeared interested in turning that connection into fame. Their marriage has survived public scrutiny, a temporary divorce filing and the continuing attention surrounding Joey’s criminal past.
Her marriage date, Croatian heritage and reported Los Angeles residence are supported by public coverage. In contrast, her exact birthday, height, education, children, siblings and net worth remain unverified. Treating those limits honestly creates a more accurate and respectful profile of Joey Buttafuoco’s wife.
FAQs
Who is Evanka Franjko?
Evanka Franjko is a Croatian-born private woman best known as Joey Buttafuoco’s second wife.
When did Evanka Franjko marry Joey Buttafuoco?
Evanka and Joey reportedly married on March 5, 2005, in Las Vegas.
Are Evanka Franjko and Joey Buttafuoco still married?
Yes. Recent reports continue to identify them as married, although Evanka briefly filed for divorce in 2007 before withdrawing the petition.
Does Evanka Franjko have children?
Evanka and Joey have no publicly confirmed children together. Reports about her having a child from an earlier marriage remain unverified.
What is Evanka Franjko’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly confirmed, and figures shared by unofficial biography websites are only estimates.
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