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Manti Te’o never wanted one chapter to define his whole life story.

In the years following an infamous catfishing scandal that rocked the sports world, Te’o found his forever fairytale in wife Jovi Nicole, whom he wed in 2020.

“I couldn’t give you the world but I think I did better…I gave you my last name and it looks good on you Mrs. Te’o,” the former Notre Dame linebacker, now 31, wrote on Instagram at the time.


  Manti Te’o and fitness enthusiast Jovi Nicole tied the knot in August 2020. Instagram/Manti Te'o Manti Te’o and fitness enthusiast Jovi Nicole tied the knot in August 2020. Instagram/Manti Te'o

  The couple announced their engagement in early 2020. Instagram The couple announced their engagement in early 2020. Instagram

  Jovi Nicole and Manti Te’o welcomed a baby girl, Hiro, last summer. Instagram Jovi Nicole and Manti Te’o welcomed a baby girl, Hiro, last summer. Instagram

First linked in 2016 — roughly three years after Ronaiah “Naya” Tuiasosopo, who went by “Lennay Kekua” online, was revealed to be the mastermind behind the relationship hoax — Te’o and Jovi appeared together in social media posts.

Jovi, who is working towards becoming a nurse, also supported Te’o during his time with the Chargers, the organization that selected the Heisman Trophy nominee in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Four years later, he signed a two-year deal with the Saints before joining the Bears’ practice squad in late 2020.

In February 2020, however, Te’o made a decision that would change his and Jovi’s life forever when he popped the question.

“We’re ENGAGED!” Jovi proudly announced at the time.

The life-altering news didn’t stop for Te’o and Jovi after their August 2020 nuptials, as the couple confirmed in January 2021 that they were expecting. The pair welcomed a baby girl that summer.

“The Queen is here✨ Baby Hiro graced us with her presence 8/12/2021 at 1:01pm by emergency c-section. 8 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches of perfection. Her, mommy and daddy are all strong, happy and healthy. God is good,” Jovi gushed on Instagram.


  Jovi Nicole frequently shares photos with Manti Te’o on her Instagram page. Instagram Jovi Nicole frequently shares photos with Manti Te’o on her Instagram page. Instagram

  The health and beauty enthusiast also posts pics of her favorite looks on social media. Instagram The health and beauty enthusiast also posts pics of her favorite looks on social media. Instagram

  Workout-centric content is also featured on Jovi Nicole’s Instagram page. Instagram Workout-centric content is also featured on Jovi Nicole’s Instagram page. Instagram

Though Jovi regularly uploads snaps of the couple’s daughter on Instagram, where she boasts 32,000 followers, the health and beauty enthusiast also posts fitness videos and photos of her favorite looks.

Recently, Jovi shared a clip of Te’o on “CBS Mornings,” where he spoke about the new Netflix documentary, “Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist,” which chronicles the catfishing controversy. Tuiasosopo, who has since become a transgender woman, is featured in the two-part series as well.

During the sit-down with CBS, Te’o revealed that Jay-Z’s opening line from a 2017 concert, “you cannot heal what you don’t reveal,” inspired him to speak out.

“It may have just been some random words to everybody, but for me at that time, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I needed to reveal it,” Te’o said.

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