Most people recognize Noelle Inguagiato as Jesse Watters’ former wife, but there’s so much more to her story. She’s built an impressive career spanning fashion, television, and mental health counseling. Her journey shows remarkable resilience and reinvention that deserves recognition beyond her famous ex-husband.
Born May 5, 1976, in New York City, Noelle grew up surrounded by the energy and diversity that would later influence her career choices. Her parents, Peter and Rosemary Inguagiato, raised her with strong values and encouraged her creative interests from childhood.
Early Life and Background
New York City shaped Noelle in ways that became obvious later in her career. The city’s fashion scene, cultural diversity, and fast pace taught her adaptability. These skills proved invaluable when she entered the competitive world of television and media.
Her Scottish-Irish heritage gave her distinctive features – light brown hair and warm brown eyes that made her a natural on camera. At 5’6″, she had the presence that television executives notice, though her success came from much more than appearance.
The Inguagiato family emphasized education and hard work. These values stuck with Noelle throughout her life, influencing how she approached both career challenges and raising her own children.
Educational Journey and Academic Achievements
Education played a huge role in Noelle’s development. After high school in New York, she headed to Fairfield University in Connecticut. From 1994 to 1998, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus that would serve her well in media.
Her major in English Writing, combined with studies in Art History and International Studies, created a perfect foundation for her future work. The writing skills helped with television scripts and content creation. Art History developed her visual sense, crucial for fashion and styling work.
What many don’t know is that Noelle went back to school much later in life. Between 2019 and 2022, she completed a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Long Island University. She specialized in working with children and adolescents, showing her commitment to helping young people navigate difficult times.
Professional Career at Fox News
Noelle’s career began in fashion, not television. In 1998, she landed a job as an Account Executive at Calvin Klein. This role taught her about high-end fashion and client relationships, skills that transferred beautifully to her later television work.
A year later, she moved to HBHPMK as a Public Relations Specialist. Working in PR in New York City meant dealing with demanding clients and tight deadlines. She learned to stay calm under pressure and communicate effectively with different personality types.
Fox News hired Noelle in 2000 as a Senior Wardrobe Coordinator. What started as behind-the-scenes work gradually expanded into something much bigger. She had a natural eye for what looked good on camera and understood how clothing choices affected a presenter’s credibility.
Her role evolved over her nearly 12 years at Fox News. She began hosting iMag Style, a fashion web series that showcased her expertise and television presence. Viewers appreciated her practical advice and genuine enthusiasm for helping people look their best.
Noelle became a regular contributor to major Fox News shows. She appeared on The O’Reilly Factor as a style expert and contributed to Outnumbered. Her segments were popular because she made fashion accessible rather than intimidating.
Behind the scenes, she worked with celebrities, coordinating their appearances at premieres, photo shoots, and award ceremonies. This work required discretion, professionalism, and the ability to handle high-stress situations with grace.
Meeting Jesse Watters and Marriage
Workplace romances can be complicated, but Noelle and Jesse Watters made it work for many years. They met in 2002 when both were building their careers at Fox News. Their relationship developed slowly, starting as professional colleagues who respected each other’s work.
The Fox News environment brought them together frequently. They discovered shared interests and similar career ambitions. What began as friendship gradually became something deeper, built on genuine compatibility and mutual support.
Their 2009 wedding seemed like a perfect match – two successful media professionals who understood each other’s demanding careers. For several years, they managed to balance their individual ambitions with their relationship, both continuing to grow professionally while building a life together.
Those early marriage years were probably their happiest. They were both rising stars at Fox News, supporting each other’s careers while planning for their future family.
Motherhood and Family Life
Everything changed on November 4, 2011, when Noelle gave birth to twin daughters, Sophie and Ellie Watters. Becoming a mother of twins is challenging under any circumstances, but doing it while maintaining a television career required exceptional organization and energy.
Noelle threw herself into motherhood with the same dedication she’d shown in her career. She managed to continue her Fox News work while ensuring her daughters received the attention they needed. This balancing act wasn’t easy, but she made it look effortless.
The twins became Noelle’s top priority, influencing every major decision she made afterward. She often talked about how much she enjoyed watching them develop their unique personalities and how being their mother was her most important role.
Despite their parents’ public profiles, Noelle worked hard to give Sophie and Ellie a normal childhood. She valued their privacy and tried to shield them from the pressures that come with having famous parents.
The Divorce and Its Aftermath
In 2017, Noelle’s world turned upside down when she discovered Jesse’s affair with Emma DiGiovine, a 25-year-old associate producer on his show. The betrayal was devastating, made worse by the public nature of their relationship and Jesse’s position at Fox News.
The details of how the affair began – Jesse reportedly deflating Emma’s car tires to offer her a ride – added insult to injury. What should have been a private family matter became public knowledge, making an already difficult situation even more painful.
Noelle handled the situation with remarkable dignity. Instead of engaging in public battles or seeking media attention for her side of the story, she focused on protecting her daughters and making the best decisions for their future.
She filed for divorce in late 2017, and the legal process continued through 2018. The divorce was finalized in March 2019, ending a decade-long marriage. Noelle chose to reclaim her maiden name, Inguagiato, symbolizing her fresh start.
The custody arrangement gave Noelle primary custody of Sophie and Ellie. This outcome reflected her role as their primary caregiver and her commitment to providing stability during a turbulent time in their lives.
Career Transition and New Beginnings
Leaving Fox News meant starting over professionally, but Noelle had already begun planning her next chapter. In 2011, she’d founded NKW, Inc., an interior design consultancy based in Huntington, New York. This business gave her creative outlet and financial independence.
Her interior design work allowed her to use her visual skills in a new way. She enjoyed working with clients to create beautiful, functional spaces that reflected their personalities and needs. The work was satisfying in a different way than television had been.
The most significant change came with her decision to pursue mental health counseling. Her Master’s degree from Long Island University prepared her for this meaningful career shift. She wanted to help people in a more direct way than television allowed.
Today, Noelle works as a mental health counselor at Kane Psychology PLLC. She specializes in treating ADHD, ODD, anxiety disorders, OCD, and depressive disorders. Her work with the LGBTQIA+ community shows her commitment to supporting people who often face additional challenges.
This career change from media to mental health counseling reflects Noelle’s desire to make a real difference in people’s lives. Her own experiences with adversity probably help her connect with clients facing their own difficulties.
Current Life and Personal Interests
These days, Noelle keeps a deliberately low profile. She focuses on raising Sophie and Ellie away from public attention, giving them the normal childhood she’s always wanted for them. This choice shows her priorities clearly – family comes first.
Her social media presence has become almost nonexistent since the divorce. Her Instagram account is private, and she rarely posts on other platforms. The last public posts were around 2021, showing her commitment to privacy and family focus.
Noelle has found ways to give back through advocacy work. She campaigns for stroke survivor support, using her platform to help people facing serious health challenges. This work reflects her caring nature and desire to help others.
She loves outdoor activities, which provide both exercise and stress relief. She’s also an animal lover, finding joy in pets that complement her family life. These interests show a woman who values simple pleasures and genuine connections.
The balance she’s achieved between meaningful work in mental health counseling and fulfilling motherhood represents success on her own terms. Her choices show wisdom gained through challenging experiences and a clear understanding of what matters most.
Legacy and Impact
Noelle Inguagiato’s story goes far beyond being Jesse Watters’ ex-wife. During her Fox News years, she helped establish professional styling standards and brought polish to the network’s on-air personalities. Her work behind the scenes contributed to the network’s visual success.
Her transition to mental health counseling represents a meaningful second act that prioritizes service over fame. This career change shows that it’s possible to reinvent yourself and find new purpose after major life disruptions.
Most importantly, Noelle’s handling of her divorce provides an example of grace under extreme pressure. Rather than seeking revenge or public sympathy, she chose dignity and privacy, always putting her children’s well-being first.
Her journey from fashion coordinator to television personality to mental health advocate shows the power of resilience and staying true to your values. Noelle Inguagiato has successfully created a meaningful life on her own terms, proving that personal worth has nothing to do with fame or association with celebrities.
