Diane Clohesy is an Irish former model and media worker best known as the former wife of Steve Bannon, an American media executive and political strategist. Before her marriage brought her into the public eye, she had already pursued modeling in Ireland and later moved to the United States to continue her education and explore new career opportunities.
Clohesy’s name also appears in the credits of several political documentaries associated with Bannon. Her work included production and other behind-the-scenes responsibilities. In later years, news reports brought renewed attention to her personal history, including court cases and investigations. Although many details about her current life remain private, her background offers a look at her journey from modeling to political media and her connection to one of America’s most recognizable political figures.
Quick Bio
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diane Clohesy |
| Birthplace | Limerick, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Profession | Former model and media producer |
| Education | Fashion Institute of Technology |
| Known For | Being Steve Bannon’s former wife |
| Marriage Year | 2006 |
| Divorce Year | 2009 |
| Film Work | The Undefeated, Occupy Unmasked, District of Corruption |
| Other Film Credit | The Hope & the Change |
| Public Event | Rose of Tralee contestant representing Limerick in 1990 |
| Current Status | Maintains a low public profile |
Diane Clohesy Early Life in Ireland
Diane Clohesy grew up in Limerick, Ireland, where she reportedly began exploring opportunities in modeling. Public accounts describe her as a young woman who became involved in the local fashion scene before moving abroad. Her early experiences helped introduce her to work that required confidence and a public presence.
In 1990, Clohesy represented Limerick at the Rose of Tralee event, a celebration of Irish culture, community, and heritage. Her participation brought her some public recognition while she was still building her life and career. At that stage, her interests centered on modeling and personal development rather than politics. Her later move to the United States marked a new chapter in her life.
Her Modeling Years and Move to America
Modeling was an important part of Clohesy’s early professional life. She worked in Ireland before deciding to move abroad, gaining experience in an industry that required communication skills and the ability to work in public-facing settings. Although detailed records of her modeling career are limited, this period preceded her later involvement in media production.
After relocating to the United States, Clohesy spent time in New York, where she sought to broaden her professional skills beyond modeling. Reports state that she studied marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology when she was 24 years old. She reportedly completed her studies in 1998. The institution is known for its programs related to fashion, business, and related professional fields, making it relevant to her interests and career development.
How Did Diane Clohesy Meet Steve Bannon?
The exact circumstances of Diane Clohesy’s first meeting with Steve Bannon have not been firmly established in public records. Reliable accounts do not provide a definitive date or a detailed description of their introduction. However, reports indicate that the two knew each other by the late 1990s.
Some accounts place them together in Laguna Beach, California, around 1999. At that time, Bannon had already worked in finance and media and had developed connections within the film industry. Clohesy, meanwhile, had experience in modeling and had pursued studies in the United States. Their professional backgrounds were different, but both would later become connected through political filmmaking.
Their relationship developed over a period of years before they married in 2006. Although the details of their early courtship remain largely private, their marriage eventually became part of the public discussion surrounding Bannon’s personal and professional history.
Diane Clohesy Marriage to Steve Bannon
Diane Clohesy married Steve Bannon in 2006, becoming his third wife. During their marriage, the couple lived in the United States and maintained connections to media and business activities. Their relationship unfolded before Bannon became widely known for his role in national politics.
The marriage lasted approximately three years, ending in divorce in 2009. Their separation took place before Bannon became a prominent figure in conservative political media and before his involvement in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign brought him greater national attention.
Although the marriage ended, their connection did not immediately disappear. Public records and later reporting indicated that they continued to have certain professional and financial ties. Their later connections included political film projects and reported housing arrangements, showing that their relationship remained relevant in some areas after the divorce.
Life With Steve Bannon
Before marrying Clohesy, Steve Bannon had already developed a varied career. His professional background included banking, film, and media. He later became closely associated with Breitbart News, a conservative media outlet that played a significant role in political discussions in the United States.
As Bannon moved further into political media, Clohesy also became involved in that world through her work on documentaries. Several projects connected to Bannon focused on American politics, elections, and political movements. Her participation gave her a behind-the-scenes role in a media environment that would later attract considerable public attention.
However, Clohesy’s story should not be viewed only through Bannon’s later fame. She had her own background in modeling and education, followed by work in film production. Although her public career was more limited than Bannon’s, her production credits provide evidence of her involvement in political media during the early 2010s.
Diane Clohesy Media Career
Diane Clohesy worked on several political documentaries, with credits reportedly covering production, script-related duties, continuity, and other behind-the-scenes responsibilities. Rather than appearing as the main public figure in these projects, she contributed to the work involved in making the films.
Her best-known film work dates to 2011 and 2012. The projects explored political figures, elections, and movements in the United States. Several were associated with Steve Bannon, connecting her professional record to the conservative political media scene.
Clohesy’s work in this area represents the clearest public record of her media career. Her name appears in production credits, although information about her broader employment history and later professional activities remains limited. These credits help establish that she participated in political filmmaking during a relatively short period.
Work on The Undefeated
One of Diane Clohesy’s most recognizable film credits is The Undefeated, a documentary released in 2011. The film examined Sarah Palin’s political career and her rise to prominence. It presented Palin’s public life and political development from a perspective associated with conservative media.
Steve Bannon directed the documentary, while Clohesy reportedly worked as an associate producer. This position placed her within the film’s production team and connected her directly to one of Bannon’s political media projects.
The film added a notable credit to Clohesy’s professional record. It also linked her work to the growing conservative documentary scene, in which filmmakers used political films to present arguments about prominent figures and current events. Although she did not serve as the film’s public face, her associate producer credit remains an important part of her known career.
Occupy Unmasked and Other Films
In 2012, Clohesy worked on Occupy Unmasked, a documentary about the Occupy Wall Street movement. The film took a strongly critical position toward the protests, which had attracted attention for their opposition to economic inequality and the influence of major financial institutions. Its political perspective placed it within a broader debate over the movement and its goals.
Her reported credits also include District of Corruption, a film examining political power and allegations of corruption in Washington, D.C. The documentary addressed concerns about political influence and the conduct of people working within the American political system.
Clohesy was also credited on The Hope & the Change. Together, these projects form the main public record of her work in political filmmaking. They suggest that she contributed to several productions during the early 2010s, although the available information does not establish a long-term career in film beyond that period.
What Happened After the Divorce?
Diane Clohesy continued to work with Steve Bannon after their 2009 divorce. Her involvement in films directed by Bannon extended into 2011 and 2012, indicating that their professional connection survived the end of their marriage.
Their financial ties also reportedly continued for some time. Public records later showed that Bannon helped cover housing costs, and both names appeared on a lease application in Miami in 2013. Reports placed the property in the Coconut Grove area and stated that Clohesy lived there.
According to accounts cited in reporting about the property, neighbors said Bannon was rarely seen at the home. These details drew attention because they showed that the former couple maintained some connections after separating. However, the precise nature and extent of their financial arrangements should not be assumed beyond what the public records and reports establish.
Legal Case Linked to an Aer Lingus Flight
An incident in 2002 brought Diane Clohesy into Irish court records. The case followed an event aboard an Aer Lingus flight, during which she was accused of assaulting a member of the cabin crew. Reports state that she later pleaded guilty to the assault.
The court ordered Clohesy to pay fines and costs. The airline also reportedly banned her from using its flights. Irish news outlets revisited the case years later, bringing an incident from before her marriage to Bannon into wider public discussion.
The event occurred long before Bannon became a major political figure. It received renewed attention when journalists began examining Clohesy’s background and past records. The case forms part of her publicly reported history, but it should be distinguished from the later Florida matter, in which the criminal charge against her was dismissed.
Florida Court Cases in 2009
In 2009, Diane Clohesy was involved in a legal case in Florida following a domestic dispute. Police arrested her, and the case included a misdemeanor battery charge. The incident became part of the public reporting surrounding her personal life and her relationship with Bannon.
Prosecutors later dismissed the criminal charge. A separate request for a restraining order was also filed, but that matter reportedly did not proceed. These outcomes are important when describing the case because an arrest or accusation does not establish that someone was found guilty.
In Clohesy’s case, the reported criminal charge was dismissed. A fair account of her legal history should include that outcome rather than presenting the arrest as proof of guilt. The case attracted attention partly because it occurred in the same year as her divorce from Bannon.
The 2013 Jail Contraband Investigation
Clohesy’s name appeared again in connection with a 2013 investigation involving a jail in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Investigators were examining allegations that prohibited items were being brought into the facility.
Reports stated that Clohesy provided money and items to a jail officer for an inmate she knew. The items reportedly included marijuana and a mobile phone. The investigation focused on how the items were allegedly being delivered into the jail and the role of the officer involved.
According to the published accounts, Clohesy cooperated with investigators and was not charged in the case. The case against the jail officer was also later dismissed. These details are essential to understanding the outcome: although her name appeared in reporting about the investigation, the available account does not indicate that she faced charges in connection with it.
Why Did Diane Clohesy Gain More Media Attention?
Much of the renewed public interest in Diane Clohesy came after Steve Bannon became a prominent figure in conservative media and American politics. Bannon played a major role in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and later served as White House chief strategist. His growing influence led journalists to examine his personal background, previous relationships, and business connections.
As reporters looked more closely at Bannon’s past, Clohesy’s name resurfaced. Her marriage to him, film credits, court history, and reported housing arrangements became subjects of media coverage. Information that had previously attracted limited attention became more widely discussed because of Bannon’s public role.
This increased attention did not necessarily mean that Clohesy had returned to political work or become a public figure in her own right. Instead, much of the coverage focused on her past association with Bannon. Her own documented career remains centered on modeling, education, and a small number of political film projects.
Diane Clohesy and Breitbart Era Connections
Steve Bannon became a prominent figure at Breitbart News, a website that developed into an influential outlet within conservative media. His role at the organization helped increase his political profile, particularly as he became involved in national campaigns and political strategy.
Diane Clohesy’s documented film work placed her within a related conservative media circle during the early 2010s. Her credits on political documentaries show a professional connection to some of the same people and projects associated with Bannon’s media career. However, that connection should not be confused with evidence that she held a major leadership position at Breitbart.
There is no strong public record establishing that Clohesy had a long-term leadership role at the organization. Claims about a more extensive position should therefore be treated cautiously unless supported by reliable documentation. Her known film credits offer a clearer and more defensible picture of her involvement in political media.
Did Diane Clohesy Stay Active in Politics?
Diane Clohesy’s public record became much quieter after the early 2010s. There are few reliable reports establishing that she continued working on political films or took on new political roles after that period. The projects for which she is best known remain connected to the earlier part of her career.
Various websites have published claims about her present occupation, financial situation, and private relationships. However, strong public sources do not confirm many of these details. Without reliable evidence, such claims should not be treated as established facts.
The most clearly documented parts of Clohesy’s story include her early modeling career, education in New York, marriage to Steve Bannon, work on political documentaries, and reported legal history. Beyond those areas, the public record is limited. Keeping that distinction clear helps separate verifiable information from speculation.
Life Away From Public Attention
Diane Clohesy has maintained a low public profile in recent years. She rarely appears in major media reports, and newer articles about her generally focus on her past association with Steve Bannon rather than on confirmed developments in her own life.
Reliable information about her current residence and employment is limited. There is also no strong public evidence establishing her present income or financial position. Although online articles may offer specific claims about these subjects, those details require credible support before they can be accepted as facts.
The last widely reported period of Clohesy’s life was closely connected to Bannon’s growing political influence and the renewed scrutiny of his background. Since then, she has remained largely outside public view. Her privacy makes it difficult to confirm what she is doing today, so any claims about her current circumstances should be approached carefully.
Bottom Line
Diane Clohesy is widely recognized as Steve Bannon’s former wife, but her life story began before their marriage. She grew up in Limerick, Ireland, pursued modeling, represented her hometown at the Rose of Tralee event in 1990, and later moved to the United States to study marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
She also developed a documented, though relatively limited, record in political filmmaking. Her credits include The Undefeated, Occupy Unmasked, District of Corruption, and The Hope & the Change. These projects connected her to the political media world in which Bannon later became an influential figure.
Clohesy’s legal history also received considerable media attention, but the outcomes of the individual cases matter. She reportedly pleaded guilty in the Aer Lingus incident, while the Florida misdemeanor battery charge was dismissed and the 2013 jail investigation did not result in charges against her. Today, little verified information is available about her private life or current work. Her story is best understood through documented details rather than unsupported claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Diane Clohesy?
Diane Clohesy is an Irish former model and media producer best known as the former wife of Steve Bannon, the American media executive and political strategist. She began her career in modeling and later studied marketing in New York. She also worked on several political documentaries during the early 2010s, including The Undefeated and Occupy Unmasked.
When Did Diane Clohesy Marry Steve Bannon?
Diane Clohesy married Steve Bannon in 2006. She was his third wife, and their marriage lasted approximately three years before they divorced in 2009. Although their marriage ended, reports and public records indicated that some professional and financial connections continued afterward.
What Movies Did Diane Clohesy Work On?
Clohesy’s reported film credits include The Undefeated, Occupy Unmasked, District of Corruption, and The Hope & the Change. Her work included production responsibilities, an associate producer credit, and other behind-the-scenes roles such as script and continuity work. These films form the main publicly documented part of her media career.
Was Diane Clohesy a Model?
Yes. Diane Clohesy reportedly worked as a model in Ireland before moving to the United States. In 1990, she represented Limerick at the Rose of Tralee event, which celebrates Irish culture and community. She later studied marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, reportedly completing her studies in 1998.
Where Is Diane Clohesy Now?
There is little reliable public information about Diane Clohesy’s current residence, occupation, or personal circumstances. She has kept a low profile in recent years, and most coverage focuses on her past marriage to Steve Bannon and her earlier media work. Claims about her present job, income, relationships, or location should not be treated as confirmed without credible evidence.
