Mario Lopez’s 3 Kids: Get to Know Gia, Dominic, and Santino
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- UPDATED SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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Mario Lopez is determined to pass down the life lessons he learned from his parents to his three children: Gia, Dominic, and Santino. The Saved by the Bell star met actress Courtney Lopez while working together on the Broadway musical A Chorus Line in 2008. They tied the knot in 2012 during a beautiful ceremony in Punta Mita, Mexico, surrounded by their loved ones. Their first child, Gia, had already arrived two years earlier and even served as the flower girl at their wedding. A year after that, Dominic was born. Before welcoming their youngest, Santino, in 2019, Mario joked to Mini magazine, “Once we go to number three, we are going to be outnumbered — then it will get very real!” The proud dad also shared why he cherishes his role as a father: “You don’t realize the amount of love you have for these little humans. It changes your whole perspective and priorities.
Gia Francesca Lopez, 13
Mario and Courtney welcomed their first child, Gia, on September 11, 2010, just two years into their relationship. Mario couldn’t contain his joy when Gia was born, telling Extra how surreal it felt: “It happened so fast. I just want to go and stare at her, check her out—she’s chubby and looks so cute!” According to Mario, Gia is “a total Daddy’s girl” and has a sharp mind. “She’s very smart, sensitive, and nurturing,” he told in 2017. Though Gia has a caring nature, she’s no stranger to roughhousing, especially when it comes to wrestling with her dad. “It’s WWE at my house every night,” Mario joked, sharing that Gia is the wrestler to watch in their household.
Dominic Luciano Lopez, 11
Dominic, born on September 9, 2013, was named after Mario’s maternal great-grandfather, Dominico. However, Dominic has earned several nicknames over the years. “We call him Nico for short, but he’s got a bunch of nicknames—Dom, Nico Suave,” Mario shared in a 2022 Today interview. Mario even admitted that he and Courtney sometimes refer to him as “Wreck-It Ralph” because of his energetic and mischievous personality. Although they initially worried about how Gia would react to having a younger sibling, Courtney told that Gia quickly stepped up, becoming “the best big sister,” taking her role seriously and showing nurturing qualities from the start.
Santino Rafael Lopez, 5
Santino, the youngest of the Lopez clan, was born on July 7, 2019. Before his birth, Mario and Courtney were uncertain about whether they’d be able to have a third child, calling Santino their “miracle baby.” “If it didn’t happen, it wasn’t meant to be. But it snuck in there!” Mario told, describing their third pregnancy as a bit of a Christmas miracle. Though Gia and Dominic needed some time to adjust to the idea of another sibling, Santino has been a joyful addition to the family.
Who Is Mario Lopez’s Wife? All About Courtney Lopez
Mario Lopez and Courtney Lopez (née Mazza) first met on Broadway in 2008, and their love story has only grown since then. After welcoming their first child, Gia, in 2010, the couple got married in a festive ceremony in December 2012 in Punta Mita, Mexico. The event, complete with a mariachi band and Gia as the flower girl, was even filmed for the TLC special Mario and Courtney’s Wedding Fiesta. Their family expanded with the births of their sons, Dominic and Santino, in 2013 and 2019, respectively. Throughout their marriage, Mario and Courtney have shared sweet moments and family updates with their fans, always celebrating their strong bond.
