Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kathy Colace Laurinaitis |
| Also Known As | Kathy Laurinaitis; Kathy Colace |
| Birthdate | October 19, 1964 (reported) |
| Nationality | American |
| Residence | Arizona, USA (publicly associated) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Business Development Executive, Reality TV Personality |
| Company | Founder/Managing Partner, JBN & Associates (est. late 1990s) |
| Notable For | Mother of Nikki and Brie (The Bella Twins); appearances on Total Divas and Total Bellas |
| Marital History | Married John Laurinaitis (2016); divorce confirmed in 2024; previously married to Jon Garcia |
| Children | Nicole “Nikki” Garcia; Brianna “Brie” Garcia; JJ (Jon) Garcia |
| Grandchildren | Birdie Joe (2017), Buddy Dessert (2020), Matteo Artemovich (2020); JJ and Lauren Garcia’s daughters are also referenced in family coverage |
| Philanthropy | Brain Injury Association of Arizona; Phoenix Suns Charities |
Early Life and Family Roots
Kathy Laurinaitis stepped into public view as the steady center of a fast-rising family in sports entertainment. Her twin daughters, Nicole (Nikki) and Brianna (Brie), were born on November 21, 1983, and would go on to become The Bella Twins—global performers, media personalities, and entrepreneurs. Her son, JJ Garcia, rounds out a family that has often shared its milestones with fans.
As her daughters’ careers accelerated, Kathy’s presence—supportive, candid, and often wry—became a familiar element of their story. She charted her own course in business while serving as the family’s north star, the voice of reason amid the flashing lights.
Building a Business: JBN & Associates
Long before television cameras rolled, Kathy was a builder. In the late 1990s, she founded JBN & Associates, a business development and recruiting firm. The company’s focus reflects her strengths: connecting people, refining teams, and scaling operations with a practical eye for talent. Over two decades later, JBN has stood as a quiet engine—steady, resilient, and relationship-driven.
Her entrepreneurial style is pragmatic and service-oriented. While the family name gained pop-culture traction, JBN remained grounded in client results, long-term placements, and community relationships. In an industry where numbers matter, longevity is the strongest metric: more than 20 years in market, spanning economic cycles and rapid technological change.
On Camera: Total Divas and Total Bellas
Kathy appeared frequently on Total Divas and later Total Bellas, shows that chronicled career pivots, relationships, weddings, and the complex dance of work and family. Her on-screen role was never mere ornament; she often provided the ballast—cool-headed counsel in the middle of high-stakes decisions and public scrutiny.
These appearances stitched intimate moments into the broader narrative of the Bella Twins’ careers: celebrations, cross-country moves, maternity journeys, and business ventures. Kathy’s presence added warmth and clarity, the kind that only a mother can deliver when the spotlight gets hot.
Philanthropy and Community
Beyond business and television, Kathy has been publicly active in community efforts. She has engaged with the Brain Injury Association of Arizona—appearing at events and supporting awareness—and has been connected to Phoenix Suns Charities. Her charitable profile reflects a personal touch: local, hands-on, and focused on making tangible impact where she lives and works.
Family at a Glance
| Relation | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daughter | Nicole “Nikki” Garcia | WWE alum, media personality, entrepreneur; mother of Matteo |
| Daughter | Brianna “Brie” Garcia | WWE alum, media personality, entrepreneur; married to Bryan Danielson; mother of Birdie and Buddy |
| Son | JJ (Jon) Garcia | Appears in family programming and public coverage |
| Former Spouse | Jon Garcia | Father of Nikki, Brie, and JJ |
| Former Spouse | John Laurinaitis | Married in 2016; divorce confirmed in 2024 |
| Grandchildren | Birdie Joe (2017), Buddy Dessert (2020), Matteo Artemovich (2020) | Often featured in family stories and media pieces |
| Extended Family | Lauren Garcia and daughters | Referenced in family and fan coverage |
Key Dates Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| October 19, 1964 | Reported birthdate of Kathy Colace |
| November 21, 1983 | Birth of twins Nicole (Nikki) and Brianna (Brie) |
| Late 1990s (c. 1999) | Founded JBN & Associates |
| 2013–2019 | Appearances across Total Divas and Total Bellas |
| March 24, 2016 | Married John Laurinaitis |
| 2017 | Became a grandmother with the birth of Birdie Joe |
| 2020 | Welcomed grandchildren Buddy Dessert and Matteo Artemovich |
| October 2024 | Divorce from John Laurinaitis confirmed |
Recent Headlines
In 2024, Kathy confirmed her divorce from John Laurinaitis, bringing a new chapter to a family story often lived in public. The news landed during a period of heavy attention on the broader wrestling industry, but Kathy’s own public note was measured and personal. Family updates continued to center on the next generation—birthdays, school moments, and the small joys that never make it into press releases.
Media Moments and Public Appearances
Kathy has appeared in red-carpet interviews, family specials, and charity-stage moments. Memorable beats include welcoming new grandchildren on camera, offering unvarnished advice to her daughters during pivotal career choices, and giving remarks at community events. These scenes capture her signature balance: part business leader, part nurturing matriarch—always grounded.
Business Philosophy in Action
What stands out about Kathy’s career is a practical creed: build relationships, show up, and keep promises. JBN & Associates reflects this blueprint. Recruiting and business development are industries that reward consistency and trust, and Kathy’s approach has been to cultivate both. In a world that often celebrates disruption for its own sake, she favors durable scaffolding—the sort that helps teams stand taller without wobbling.
A Matriarch’s Role
Families like the Garcias—public, successful, and five-steps-ahead busy—need a center of gravity. Kathy has played that role with equanimity. Births, weddings, cross-country moves, business spin-ups, hiatuses, returns: the family rhythm has been quick and sometimes turbulent. Kathy’s voice, on and off camera, acts like a metronome keeping time. The result is a family brand that feels both aspirational and accessible.
Influence and Legacy
Kathy Laurinaitis represents a kind of quiet influence that often goes under-credited: the executive who charts a profitable route while nurturing a family brand that spans sports, media, and commerce. She doesn’t seek center stage, yet she anchors the scene. Her legacy travels through JBN’s longevity, the charitable footprints in Arizona, and the steady counsel that helped launch—and sustain—one of the most recognizable sister acts of the last decade.
FAQ
Who is Kathy Laurinaitis?
She is an American entrepreneur and television personality best known as the mother of Nikki and Brie, widely known as The Bella Twins.
What company did she found?
She founded JBN & Associates, a business development and recruiting firm established in the late 1990s.
When was she born?
Her birthdate is reported as October 19, 1964.
Is she still married?
No. She married John Laurinaitis in 2016, and their divorce was confirmed in 2024.
How many children does she have?
Three: Nicole “Nikki” Garcia, Brianna “Brie” Garcia, and JJ (Jon) Garcia.
How many grandchildren does she have?
Grandchildren include Birdie Joe (2017), Buddy Dessert (2020), and Matteo Artemovich (2020); JJ and Lauren Garcia’s daughters are also referenced in family coverage.
What TV shows has she appeared on?
She has appeared on Total Divas and Total Bellas in episodes featuring family milestones.
What philanthropic work is she associated with?
She has been publicly active with the Brain Injury Association of Arizona and has connections with Phoenix Suns Charities.

