Evanka Franjko is best known as the wife of Joey Buttafuoco, whose involvement in the Amy Fisher case made national headlines during the 1990s. Unlike her husband, Evanka has maintained a relatively private life, appearing publicly only occasionally.
The couple married in 2005, but their relationship attracted attention when Evanka filed for divorce in 2007. Reports later indicated that the petition was withdrawn. As of 2026, entertainment coverage continued to describe them as married, although details about Evanka’s current life remain limited.
Quick Bio of Evanka Franjko
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Evanka Franjko |
| Also Known As | Evanka Buttafuoco |
| Known For | Marriage to Joey Buttafuoco |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | Not publicly confirmed; reported Croatian roots |
| Nationality | Not publicly confirmed |
| Education | Not publicly confirmed |
| Profession | Not publicly documented |
| Spouse | Joey Buttafuoco (married March 5, 2005) |
| Public Relationship Status | Reported as married in 2026; current legal status not independently verified |
| Notable Public Appearance | Crime Watch Daily interview (2015) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Who Is Evanka Franjko?
Evanka Franjko became publicly known through her marriage to Joey Buttafuoco, a former Long Island auto body shop owner. His connection to the 1992 Amy Fisher shooting case brought intense media scrutiny that continued long after the original events.
Evanka entered his life years after the controversy. Although she has appeared with him at entertainment events and in television interviews, she has never maintained an extensive public profile.
She is sometimes identified as Evanka Buttafuoco, reflecting her married name, but Evanka Franjko remains widely used in biographical coverage.
Early Life and Background
Family Origins and Childhood
Several published biographies describe Evanka as having Croatian roots, while older references identify her as Yugoslavian-born. These descriptions are not necessarily contradictory, as Croatia was part of Yugoslavia before declaring independence in 1991.
However, her exact birthplace, nationality, and citizenship history have not been independently verified. Some websites publish a specific birth date, but reliable records confirming it are unavailable.
Little is known about her childhood, parents, siblings, or upbringing. There is also no dependable public account establishing when she moved to the United States.
Education
Evanka’s educational background remains uncertain. One secondary biography links her to California State University, Northridge, but no independently verified records confirm her attendance, degree, or graduation.
Claims about her early interests and professional training are similarly unsupported. Without credible documentation, these details cannot be presented as established facts.
Career and Public Recognition
What Does Evanka Franjko Do?
Unlike Joey, whose business activities and personal controversies attracted substantial attention, Evanka has no clearly documented public career.
Some online profiles speculate about her employment history or describe circumstances in which she supposedly met Joey. However, available reporting does not reliably establish her occupation, employers, or professional achievements.
There are no independently confirmed records of major acting roles, business ventures, published works, or professional awards associated with her.
Her public recognition developed primarily through her marriage rather than a documented entertainment career.
Becoming a Public Figure
Evanka became known to audiences already familiar with Joey’s controversial past. Their marriage and occasional appearances together attracted interest from entertainment publications.
However, she did not pursue the continuous television exposure associated with many celebrity spouses. Her public appearances have been relatively infrequent, leaving much of her personal life undocumented.
Marriage to Joey Buttafuoco
Joey’s Life Before Their Relationship
Joey Buttafuoco became nationally known following the 1992 shooting of his then-wife, Mary Jo Buttafuoco, by Amy Fisher. Mary Jo survived the attack but suffered serious injuries.
The case generated extensive media coverage. Joey subsequently pleaded guilty to a statutory rape charge involving Fisher, who was a minor at the time.
Mary Jo filed for divorce in 2003, ending their marriage after years of public controversy.
Evanka had no involvement in the 1992 events. Her relationship with Joey began years later, although his past remained an important part of the media attention surrounding their marriage.
Their Wedding in 2005
According to published biographical records, Evanka and Joey married on March 5, 2005, approximately two years after his divorce from Mary Jo.
Some secondary accounts place their wedding in Las Vegas, but the precise venue and ceremony details have not been independently confirmed.
Their marriage marked a new chapter in Joey’s personal life. Nevertheless, the publicity surrounding his earlier relationships continued to shape how the couple was portrayed in entertainment coverage.
The 2007 Divorce Filing
In May 2007, Evanka filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences. TMZ reported the filing on May 8, and CNN discussed it during the May 23 broadcast of Larry King Live.
The petition attracted attention because Joey was again appearing in reports involving Amy Fisher and possible television projects. However, the available evidence does not establish that those developments directly caused Evanka’s decision.
Later accounts indicated that she withdrew the divorce petition. A July 2007 UPI report also described Joey appearing publicly with Evanka, consistent with reports that they had reconciled.
Some online relationship databases still list their marriage as ending in 2007. Those entries conflict with subsequent reporting and do not adequately account for the reported withdrawal.
Did Evanka and Joey Reconcile?
Reports from 2008 provide further evidence that the couple remained together. During an appearance on Maury, Joey discussed his life with Evanka and referred to her as his wife.
UPI covered the interview in February 2008, reinforcing accounts that their relationship continued after the previous year’s divorce filing.
Their later public appearances also supported this account. Although these reports cannot establish every private or legal development, they provide stronger evidence than database entries describing a permanent separation in 2007.
Family Life and Children
Joey has two children, Paul and Jessica Buttafuoco, also known as Jessie, from his earlier marriage to Mary Jo.
Published biographies generally indicate that Evanka and Joey did not have children together. However, Evanka’s complete family history has not been independently documented.
Some websites offer conflicting accounts of an earlier marriage or children from a previous relationship. Because these claims lack reliable confirmation, they should not be treated as established facts.
Television Appearances and Public Image
Although Evanka has generally avoided extensive publicity, she has appeared alongside Joey at several documented events.
The couple attended the Lingerie Bowl arrivals event in Los Angeles in February 2006. They were also photographed at FilmOn’s Celebrity Fight Night at Avalon in Hollywood on November 5, 2011.
One of their most notable television appearances came in 2015, when Crime Watch Daily published an interview featuring both of them.
Secondary reporting about the interview describes Evanka discussing Joey’s openness regarding his past. She reportedly explained that she listened to his experiences and encouraged him to focus on the future.
The appearance offered a rare public perspective on their relationship. Beyond such interviews and occasional event photographs, Evanka has remained largely outside entertainment coverage.
Where Is Evanka Franjko Now in 2026?
As of 2026, Evanka continued to be identified as Joey Buttafuoco’s wife in published entertainment reporting.
EntertainmentNow described the couple as married in January 2026, while a July 2026 update from Legit.ng also presented their relationship as ongoing. These reports are consistent with their earlier reconciliation, although they do not constitute independent confirmation of their current legal marital status.
Evanka’s exact residence has not been reliably established. Some biographies associate the couple with the Los Angeles area, but recent independent confirmation is unavailable.
Her current employment and daily activities are also unknown. There is no verified evidence of a new entertainment project, public business venture, or professional announcement involving her.
Renewed Attention in 2026
Interest in the Buttafuoco story resurfaced when Lifetime premiered I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco on January 17, 2026.
The production revisited the 1992 shooting from Mary Jo’s perspective. In a January 16 interview with PEOPLE, Mary Jo discussed the lasting effects of the attack.
Although Evanka was not the central subject of this coverage, renewed interest in Joey’s history also brought attention to his later marriage.
Net Worth and Financial Information
Evanka’s net worth has not been independently verified. Celebrity biography websites sometimes publish financial estimates, but these figures generally lack supporting records or transparent calculations.
There is no reliable public documentation establishing her personal income, assets, or business holdings. Financial figures associated with Joey should not automatically be attributed to her.
Any published estimates of Evanka’s wealth therefore remain unofficial and unconfirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Evanka Franjko?
Evanka Franjko is best known as the wife of Joey Buttafuoco, a former auto body shop owner who gained national attention during the Amy Fisher case.
When did Evanka Franjko marry Joey Buttafuoco?
Evanka Franjko and Joey Buttafuoco married on March 5, 2005.
Is Evanka Franjko still married to Joey Buttafuoco in 2026?
Entertainment reports in 2026 continued to describe them as married, although their current legal marital status has not been independently verified.
Where is Evanka Franjko now?
Evanka maintains a private life. Some reports associate her with the Los Angeles area, but her exact current residence and activities are unconfirmed.
What is Evanka Franjko’s net worth?
Her net worth is unknown. Figures published by celebrity biography websites are unofficial estimates without reliable financial verification.
Conclusion
Evanka Franjko entered the public eye through her marriage to Joey Buttafuoco, but she has maintained a comparatively private life. Their 2005 wedding, the 2007 divorce filing, subsequent reports of reconciliation, and occasional public appearances form the clearest documented timeline of their relationship.
As of 2026, entertainment reporting continued to describe them as married, although Evanka’s present residence, career, and personal circumstances remain largely unverified.
Her story is defined as much by the limits of public information as by her connection to a widely recognized figure. Beyond the documented relationship history, much of her life remains private.
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