Drea de Matteo became a household name playing Adriana La Cerva on The Sopranos. The Emmy-winning actress turned heads with her authentic portrayal of mob girlfriends and complex women. Born January 19, 1972, in Queens, New York, she’s now 53 years old and still making waves in entertainment.
Her journey from HBO drama queen to OnlyFans creator shocked fans everywhere. De Matteo stands 5’6″ tall and has never married, though she raised two kids with musician Shooter Jennings. Her estimated net worth of $4 million tells a story of both success and struggle in Hollywood.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Andrea Donna de Matteo |
| Stage Name | Drea de Matteo |
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1972 |
| Age | 53 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Queens, New York, USA |
| Height | 5’6″ (1.68 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American |
| Education | NYU Tisch School of the Arts (BFA), HB Studio |
| Occupation | Actress, Entrepreneur, Podcast Host |
| Famous Roles | Adriana La Cerva (The Sopranos), Wendy Case (Sons of Anarchy), Gina Tribbiani (Joey) |
| Awards | Emmy Award (2004), Gracie Award (2004) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $4 million (2025) |
| Marital Status | Never married |
| Partner | Robby Staebler (current, as of 2025) |
| Ex-Partners | Shooter Jennings (2001-2013), Michael Devin (2015-2021) |
| Children | Alabama Gypsy Rose Jennings (b. 2007), Waylon Albert Jennings (b. 2011) |
| Languages | English, Italian, Spanish |
Early Life
Andrea Donna de Matteo grew up in an Italian-American household with creative and business influences. Her mother, Donna, worked as a playwright and teacher at HB Studio in Greenwich Village. Her father, Albert, owned Avery Boardman and Carlyle, a furniture manufacturer that provided the family with an Upper East Side lifestyle.
The family moved from Queens to Manhattan’s Upper East Side into a townhouse formerly owned by Aretha Franklin. De Matteo was the youngest of three children and the only daughter. She was raised primarily by her grandmother and a Nicaraguan nanny, who she still cares for today.
Growing up Catholic in an affluent environment shaped her worldview. She attended Loyola School, a prestigious Jesuit college prep institution. A childhood experience watching “Cats” on stage planted early theatrical interest when she was brought onstage from the audience.
Education and Training
De Matteo earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in film production from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She originally planned to become a film director, not an actress. Her interest shifted when acting classes captured her attention more than directing coursework.
She studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, the same institution where her mother taught playwriting. This training in method acting gave her a strong foundation in character development. Her dual exposure to acting technique and dramatic writing created unique insights into performance.
De Matteo speaks fluent Italian and Spanish, skills that enhanced her casting possibilities. Her educational background meant she understood filmmaking from both sides of the camera. This technical knowledge would later inform her nuanced performances across multiple TV drama series.
The Sopranos Era
De Matteo auditioned for The Sopranos pilot without understanding the show’s premise. She thought the series would be about opera singers since she hadn’t received a script. What started as a one-episode role as Christopher Moltisanti’s girlfriend evolved into television’s most memorable characters.
Adriana La Cerva represented something rare in mob narratives: genuine innocence corrupted by proximity to violence. De Matteo brought vulnerability and depth to what could have been a stereotypical role. In a 2004 interview, she reflected on the show’s tendency to kill beloved characters, noting that vulnerability made deaths more impactful for audiences.
In 2004, she won an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Season 5 according to her IMDb profile. She also received a Golden Globe nomination and multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Ensemble. The episode “Long Term Parking,” where Adriana meets her tragic fate as an FBI informant, remains one of television’s most devastating moments.
De Matteo received a Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media in 2004. Her portrayal helped establish the “mob wife aesthetic“—a style combining designer labels, big hair, and unapologetic femininity. This aesthetic has experienced renewed popularity on TikTok in 2024-2025, with younger generations discovering her Sopranos work.
Career Evolution
After The Sopranos, de Matteo joined the cast of Joey, the Friends spin-off from 2004 to 2006. She portrayed Joey Tribbiani’s sister Gina, showcasing her comedic timing. The show struggled compared to its predecessor, making the role less impactful for her career trajectory.
De Matteo played Wendy Case in Sons of Anarchy, beginning with the pilot episode on September 3, 2008. As Jax Teller’s ex-wife and recovering addict, she portrayed a woman fighting for redemption. She was promoted to series regular for the seventh and final season.
She appeared as Angie Bolen on season 6 of Desperate Housewives, leaving at the season finale in 2010. De Matteo later played Detective Tess Nazario in NBC’s Shades of Blue (2016-2018) alongside Jennifer Lopez. She also made guest appearances on Californication, A Million Little Things, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Power Book II: Ghost.
In 2023, she reprised her role as Wendy Case in Mayans M.C., the Sons of Anarchy spinoff. Her film work includes ‘R Xmas (2001) with director Abel Ferrara, Swordfish (2001) with John Travolta, and Assault on Precinct 13 (2005). Recent 2022 releases included Safe Room, Collide, and One Way.
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Personal Life
De Matteo started dating musician Shooter Jennings in 2001 when she was 29 and he was 22. They became engaged on June 11, 2009, when Jennings proposed onstage at the Stanley Theater in Utica, New York according to People Magazine. The couple had two children: daughter Alabama Gypsy Rose Jennings (born November 28, 2007) and son Waylon Albert “Blackjack” Jennings (born April 7, 2011).
The children’s names honor Shooter’s father, country music legend Waylon Jennings, and mother, Jessi Colter. De Matteo and Jennings separated around 2013 after twelve years together without marrying. She later became engaged to Whitesnake bassist Michael Devin in July 2015 during a concert proposal in Atlantic City.
As of 2025, she is reportedly with Robby Staebler, drummer for UVWAYS (formerly All Them Witches). De Matteo lost her apartment home of 22 years when a gas explosion destroyed three buildings in Manhattan’s East Village on March 26, 2015 according to CBS News. This traumatic event occurred during an already difficult period, foreshadowing the financial challenges ahead.
Business Ventures
In 1997, de Matteo opened Filth Mart, a clothing store in the East Village with boyfriend Michael Sportes. The store specialized in rock-and-roll vintage clothing and alternative fashion. She closed the store in 2004, the same year she won her Emmy.
In 2024, de Matteo launched Ultrafree, a streetwear line with boyfriend Robby Staebler. The brand features politically charged designs promoting free speech and anti-establishment messaging. Designs include “War Machine” slogan t-shirts and anti-surveillance messages targeting big tech companies.
She also founded Tombstone, a jewelry collection capitalizing on the “mob wife aesthetic” she pioneered as Adriana La Cerva. De Matteo and Chris Kushner began hosting a Sopranos rewatch podcast called Made Women on March 13, 2020. The podcast was retooled and renamed Gangster Goddess Broad-Cast in July 2020.
Financial Crisis and OnlyFans
In September 2022, de Matteo announced plans to join OnlyFans, with the account going live in August 2023. She claimed her refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine put her out of work. According to de Matteo, her agent dropped her without communication, and she faced financial ruin as a single mother.
In a 2024 Variety interview, she stated: “I couldn’t work anymore. Nobody would help me at that time because I didn’t ‘do the right thing.'” The OnlyFans decision proved financially successful, reportedly allowing her to save her home. The move sparked discussions about actors monetizing fame outside traditional channels.
The venture came with controversy when de Matteo revealed in July 2024 that her 13-year-old son edits her content. This claim raised concerns about appropriateness and involving a minor in adult content creation. De Matteo has defended the arrangement despite ongoing criticism.
Political Transformation
De Matteo voted for the first time in 2020 at age 48, casting her ballot for Joe Biden. By 2024, she had reversed course, co-endorsing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump. Her shift represents one of the more unexpected celebrity political transformations in recent years.
In interviews throughout 2024, de Matteo positioned herself as anti-establishment, criticizing Hollywood liberals while attending Trump rallies. She appeared on Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News to publicly declare her support. In her Variety interview, she claimed: “I think half of Hollywood is actually voting for Trump.”
She has criticized celebrities like Sean Penn and Billie Eilish, questioning their positions on various issues. De Matteo stated she’s pro-choice, noting her great-grandmother was “the only abortionist in 1950s Harlem.” This outspokenness has likely limited her mainstream opportunities while building a new conservative media audience.
As of November 2024, de Matteo revealed: “I have people coming to measure my house for gates. For the apocalypse.” She attended the Rescue the Republic gathering in Washington, D.C., where Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke.
Current Status
At 53 years old as of 2025, de Matteo occupies a unique space in entertainment culture. She remains active on OnlyFans, runs her Ultrafree streetwear line and Tombstone jewelry collection, and hosts the Gangster Goddess Broad-Cast podcast. She has upcoming film projects including “Nonnas” (2025) and “That’s Amore!” in post-production.
According to Celebrity Net Worth her estimated net worth of $4 million is relatively modest for an Emmy-winning actress with multiple series regular roles. Her OnlyFans venture and fashion businesses appear to have stabilized her finances. She currently lives in Laurel Canyon in the Los Angeles area with boyfriend Robby Staebler.
Her work on The Sopranos remains culturally significant, regularly cited in discussions of television’s golden age. Her teenage daughter Alabama is now 17-18 years old, while son Waylon is 13-14 years old. As The Sopranos continues finding new audiences through streaming, her cultural footprint extends beyond any single career choice.
Conclusion
Drea de Matteo’s career represents a uniquely American story of talent, disruption, and reinvention. From Emmy glory on The Sopranos to controversial OnlyFans creator, she’s chosen authenticity over palatability. Her journey illustrates both the precarious nature of Hollywood employment and the changing ways actors can monetize their fame.
Whether viewed as a cautionary tale or success story, de Matteo remains a compelling figure. Her willingness to sacrifice traditional career paths for personal principles keeps her relevant in 2025. As the “mob wife aesthetic” experiences cyclical revivals, her influence on television and pop culture remains undeniable.
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FAQ About Drea De Matteo
What is Drea de Matteo’s net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth Drea de Matteo’s estimated net worth is approximately $4 million as of 2025, earned through her television career, OnlyFans income, and business ventures.
Is Drea de Matteo married?
No, Drea de Matteo has never been married, though she was engaged twice and has two children with musician Shooter Jennings.
How old is Drea de Matteo?
Drea de Matteo was born on January 19, 1972, making her 53 years old as of 2025.
How tall is Drea de Matteo?
Drea de Matteo stands 5 feet 6 inches tall (1.68 meters).
What awards has Drea de Matteo won?
De Matteo won an Emmy Award and Gracie Award in 2004 for her role as Adriana La Cerva on The Sopranos.
Who are Drea de Matteo’s children?
De Matteo has two children: daughter Alabama Gypsy Rose Jennings (born 2007) and son Waylon Albert “Blackjack” Jennings (born 2011)
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a passionate writer with over 4 years of experience in lifestyle, biography, and internet culture content. I specialize in creating engaging, easy-to-read articles that simplify modern trends, slang, and real-life stories for every reader. My goal is to make complex topics relatable, offering well-researched insights and fresh perspectives that keep readers informed, inspired, and connected.