Dino Meminger is among those who have become notable due to their associations with well-known individuals. His recognition stems from his former wife, Stephanie Mills, an American gospel and R&B singer, as well as a former Broadway performer.
Dino Meminger’s Family
Dino Meminger was born on February 16, 1956, to James A. Watson Jr. and Gae B. Meminger. Raised in Mansfield, Ohio, he attended Malabar High School. In the 1990s, he relocated to Los Angeles and embarked on an acting career, securing a few minor roles. However, his prominence increased significantly following his marriage to the acclaimed singer and composer, Stephanie Mills.
Stephanie Mills, born Stephanie Dorthea Mills on March 22, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, USA, is the daughter of Joseph and Christine Mills. Her early years were marked by singing gospel music at Brooklyn’s Cornerstone Baptist Church. Starting her professional journey at the age of nine, she made her debut in the Broadway musical Maggie Flynn. Stephanie’s musical talents earned her the role of the opening act for the Isley Brothers, secured after winning Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater for six consecutive weeks at the age of eleven.
Stephanie Mills has experienced three marriages. Her first marriage, in 1980, was to Jeffrey Daniel, a member of the R&B/soul group Shalamar, and it concluded in 1983. Following this, she married Dino Meminger in 1989, but the marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce in 1991. Her third marriage was to Michael Saunders in 1993, with Minister Louis Farrakhan officiating the ceremony. Stephanie and Michael decided to part ways, finalizing their divorce in 2001. Stephanie is also the mother of Farad Mills, born with Down syndrome on February 19, 2001.
Dino Meminger passed away on January 17, 2004, at 47 years old in Tioga County, New York, USA. His death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Dino Meminger’s Net Worth
Dino Meminger pursued a career in acting, with notable roles in productions such as The Tomorrow Man, Profiler, and Brimstone. Additionally, he contributed as a stand-in and production assistant in various projects. However, Dino’s recognition was largely overshadowed by the success of his ex-wife, Stephanie Mills, an accomplished actress, singer, and director with a net worth of $3 million.
Stephanie gained widespread fame for her portrayal of “Dorothy” in the original seven-time Tony Award-winning Broadway production of the musical The Wiz. Her rendition of the song “Home” from the show became a Number 1 U.S. R&B hit and served as her signature song. Throughout the 1980s, she achieved five Number 1 R&B hits, including “Home,” “I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love,” “I Feel Good All Over,” “(You’re Puttin’) A Rush on Me,” and “Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel).”
Stephanie received a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her song “Never Knew Love Like This Before.” Several of her albums, namely What Cha Gonna Do with My Lovin’, Sweet Sensation, and Stephanie, attained gold or platinum status.