Gina Liano

Gina Liano
Liano (far right) with her fellow Real Housewives of Melbourne co-stars in 2016
Born
Mary Eugene Smith

1966 (age 58–59)
Melbourne, Victoria
NationalityAustralian
Alma materMonash University
Occupation(s)Barrister, author, entrepreneur, television personality
Years active2014–present
Known forThe Real Housewives of Melbourne
Children2
RelativesBettina Liano (sister)
Teresa Liano (sister)
Websiteginaliano.com

Gina Liano (born 1966) is an Australian barrister, author, entrepreneur and television personality. She is best known for her role in The Real Housewives of Melbourne.

Early and personal life

Liano was born Mary Eugene Smith in Brighton, Victoria, to Italian parents Anita Bonollo and Nicola Italiano.[1] She is one of four siblings. Her sisters Bettina Liano and Teresa Liano are both fashion designers.[2]

Liano attended and graduated from Star of the Sea College in 1983. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University in 1992, followed by a Bachelor of Laws.[3]

In 2003, Liano was diagnosed with cancer. She went into remission after 12 months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.[4] She has been divorced twice and has two sons. She lives in Melbourne.[2]

Career

In 1985, Liano went into business with her sisters running a chain of boutiques.[2] Liano was admitted as a lawyer in 1997, and joined the Victorian Bar in 1999.[3] She is a criminal barrister, and practices in criminal law, intentional torts, commercial law, family law and employment law.[5]

Since 2014, Liano has appeared on the Australian reality television series The Real Housewives of Melbourne.[6] She has appeared as a panellist on a number of shows and had a segment on Seven Network's Legal Eagle.[3] She also been a property developer, an art curator and a wedding celebrant.[3]

Liano has released fragrances, a jewellery range and a tanning range.[3] Her autobiography, Fearless, was published in April 2015.[4] That same month, she joined the cast of Neighbours as Mary Smith.[7] Liano was hired after she impressed casting directors during a screen test.[8] She began filming on 14 April 2015.[8] Liano reprised the role in February 2016.[9]

In 2015, Liano was a contestant in the fourth season of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia. She withdrew from the competition in the fourth week on medical advice.[10]

In January 2016, it was announced Liano would make her theatre debut in July as the wicked stepmother in the pantomime adaptation of Cinderella at The State Theatre in Sydney.[11]

References

  1. ^ Rachel Wells (15 February 2014). "From fashion to stardom, sisters in step". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Duck, Siobhan (2 May 2014). "Gina Liano opens up about cancer, her fashion designer sisters and those bullying Real Housewives". News.com.au. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Olympians, actors, activists: Star of the Sea's top alumni". Herald Sun. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2024 – via Gale.
  4. ^ a b Koha, Nuite (6 April 2015). "Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gina Liano says she measures success by health not wealth". Herald Sun. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Barrister Profile - Gina Liano". Victorian Bar. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  6. ^ Harnick, Chris (5 March 2015). "Gina Liano Is Here to Entertain You: Meet Your New Favorite Real Housewives Star". E! Online. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Gina Liano's Neighbours role". TV Week. No. 15. 11–17 April 2015. p. 9.
  8. ^ a b Dennehy, Luke (14 April 2015). "Gina Liano of Real Housewives of Melbourne joins Neighbours cast". Herald Sun. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  9. ^ Fletcher, Hary (4 December 2015). "Neighbours: Lyn Scully is returning to Ramsay Street in 2016". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  10. ^ Hoyer, Melissa (20 July 2015). "Gabi Grecko, Geoffrey Edelsten, Mel Greig sign up for Celebrity Apprentice". news.com.au. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Real Housewives of Melbourne's Gina Liano to star in Cinderella pantomime". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 January 2016.