Meet Mario Banchero, Paolo Banchero's Father in the Spotlight

Mario Banchero used to play football in college, but now he is a businessman. He is best recognized for being the father of Paolo Banchero, who plays for the Orlando Magic. 

Mario Banchero Wiki/Bio

Mario Banchero was born in Seattle, Washington on April 16, 1974. He grew up there and has lived in Seattle for a long time. He talks about his father more than his mother, and he mentioned his mom in June 2017 on his Facebook.  

Banchero's family background is mostly Italian. His ancestors came from the northern part of Italy and moved to the United States around 1900. They worked as coal miners in Black Diamond and were farmers too. 

Mario's great-grandfather didn't become a U.S. citizen, so his son Paolo Banchero, was able to become an Italian citizen officially in February 2020. The Italian Basketball Federation contacted Mario a few years ago about this possibility. Mario filled out some forms, and Paolo became an Italian citizen. 

How Rich is Mario Banchero?

Mario Banchero has a net worth of around $500,000. He previously played as a tight end for the University of Washington football team. 

After his active years as a collegiate athlete, Banchero transitioned into the business world. Presently, he holds the position of president at Mondo and Sons Inc., a meat processing and distribution company located in Tukwila, Seattle, Washington. 

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Mario is actively involved in various ventures. Apart from his role at Mondo and Sons Inc., he serves as a managing partner at 1150 LLC. Additionally, Mario has held positions such as president of the Genesee Merchants Association and vice president/secretary at the City of Seattle District Council. 

Banchero also has contributed as a board member at the Rainier Chamber of Commerce.

Mario Banchero is Married to Rhonda Smith Banchero

Mario Banchero thought a lot before asking Rhonda Smith Banchero to marry him. Ald finally the lovebirds tied the knot in July 1999.

In a video celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, Mario shared that he got the idea for his proposal from a funny TV show. He liked how a character named Martin proposed to Gina. 

Mario, who was working near Green Lake in Seattle at that time, thought it would be the perfect place to propose to Rhonda. It was special because his dad had proposed to his mom there too.  

On the day Mario wanted to propose, Rhonda's parents and his were supposed to meet. But since Mario worked near Green Lake, he had to wait until evening to join them. When he finished work, Mario called Rhonda at the lake and said his car wouldn't start, asking her to come pick him up.  

Rhonda agreed and when she arrived at Green Lake, they went for a walk. During their walk, one of Mario's friends secretly gave him flowers without Rhonda knowing. Mario had planned this surprise to make the moment extra special. 

Mario Banchero's Wife is a Basket Ball Player

Mario Banchero's spouse Rhonda Smith Banchero excelled in basketball. Rhonda showcased her talent as a collegiate player for the Washington Huskies Women’s basketball team, earning recognition for numerous achievements. 

By the end of her college journey, Rhonda amassed an impressive tally of 2,948 points and 803 rebounds. In 2000, she continued her basketball journey, entering the WNBA draft as a third-round pick and later playing professionally both overseas and in the American Basketball League. 

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Transitioning from her professional sports career, Rhonda now dedicates her time to philanthropy. She actively contributes to a nonprofit organization, aiding the homeless while also focusing on supporting individuals dealing with addiction and mental health challenges.

Mario Banchero and Rhonda Smith Banchero crossed paths during their time as athletes at the University of Washington. Reflecting on this, Rhonda mentioned in an interview, "I probably didn't notice him much at first since he came into his own a bit later."

Mario Banchero Children

After Mario Banchero and Rhonda Smith Banchero got married, they became parents to three children. Aside from Paolo Banchero, they have another son named Lio and a daughter named Mia. Both Lio and Mia are younger than their NBA-playing brother, Paolo. 

Paolo, the first child of Mario and Rhonda, stands at an impressive six feet ten inches tall and wears the number 5 jersey for the Orlando Magic. Growing up with both Mario and Rhonda being athletes themselves, they understandably influenced and supported Paolo's career significantly. 

In Paolo's interviews, he highlights his mother Rhonda's dedication and her past experiences as an athlete, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping and advancing his career. Initially, Paolo started as a freshman quarterback at O'Dea High School, following in his father's footsteps. However, he later transitioned from football to basketball.

Their daughter Mia stands tall at 5 feet 10 inches. Although athletic, Mia's passion lies in soccer, where she serves as a defensive midfielder for Reigh Academy and Holy Names Academy in Seattle, Washington. 

Mario's other son, Lio, is presently a student at Mario's former high school, O'Dea, and is scheduled to graduate in 2026. He is also active in football, playing for the Benson Bruins.

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