Who Is Kadima Selmani? Biography
Kadima Selmani is a private person, not a public figure in her own right. VH1 once had a picture of Drita and her mom, Kadima Selmani, looking almost exactly the same. That 2017 story is one of the only times that mainstream outlets have named her.
She is almost entirely a public figure via her daughter. She has not done interviews or appeared as a cast member on Mob Wives or built her own media career.
Kadima Selmani’s Family & Relationships
The Selmani family is originally from Albania. Drita was born in Staten Island, New York, and her family immigrated from Albania when she was a child, raising her in the Todt Hill neighborhood.
Kadima is married to Nezir “Ness” Selmani. Fan and biography sites name the two as Drita’s parents. Ness Selmani was born in Kosovo to Albanian parents and raised there, according to his coaching biography at Fordham University.
Some celebrity profile sites provide an exact date and place of birth for Kadima Selmani. However, none of these sites cite a reliable source, and the details contradict other pages. This is why this article does not repeat them.
Kadima Selmani Family Table
| Family Member | Relationship / Public Details |
|---|---|
| Kadima Selmani | Mother of Drita D’Avanzo; maintains a private life |
| Nezir “Ness” Selmani | Husband: longtime soccer coach and former Fordham women’s soccer coach |
| Drita D’Avanzo (née Selmani) | Daughter of Mob Wives star, makeup artist, and founder of Lady Boss |
| Lee D’Avanzo | Son-in-law; married Drita in 2000; separation announced in 2024 |
| Two granddaughters | Drita’s daughters, born in 2001 and 2007 |
| Florina Kaja | Extended family; Drita’s cousin, according to Wikipedia |
The Career of Ness Selmani: The Husband Behind the Family
Kadima Selmani’s husband has a more public-facing career. Ness Selmani has been the head coach of the Fordham Rams women’s soccer program for a long time. In ten seasons, he helped guide the Rams to become a major Atlantic 10 contender, earning conference championship berths five times.
His resume extends beyond Fordham. He coached semi-pro clubs, Olympic Development State Teams, and both Empire State teams. He was also Director of coaching for the Cosmopolitan Soccer League and wrote about World Cup soccer for the Staten Island Advance.
Soccer defined the home. In her youth, Drita played soccer and her father, a coach, trained her. She went on to play goalie for Susan Wagner High School in the 1990s.
Drita D’Avanzo, Daughter of Kadima Selmani
People search for Kadima Selmani’s name largely because of her famous daughter. Drita D’Avanzo, born Drita Selmani on February 6, 1976, starred in VH1’s Mob Wives from 2011 to 2016 and its spin-off, Big Ang.
Drita’s career has extended beyond just one show. She has appeared on Celebrity Ghost Stories and Watch What Happens Live!. In 2017, VH1 cast her in Scared Famous. She also worked as a makeup artist for high-end cosmetic brands on a freelance basis and created her own line, “Lady Boss by Drita.”
Key Public Mentions and Highlights
The most common moment Kadima Selmani was shared publicly was through social media. Drita posted a throwback photo, and VH1 published a 2017 story about the mother-daughter resemblance. The piece highlighted the strong family resemblance and showed how those family traits passed down to Drita’s own daughters.
Kadima is seldom mentioned in the news beyond that. Her family did receive some publicity when Drita got into legal trouble. Drita and her husband Lee were arrested in December 2019, but prosecutors dropped charges against her in February 2020. There are no reports linking Kadima to those events.
The Personal Side of the Kadima Selmani Story
Kadima Selmani’s story is that of an immigrant family. Her family left the Balkans and began a new life on Staten Island. There, her daughter was brought up in a home influenced by soccer and Albanian tradition.
Little is known about her daily life, work, or personal interests. She has not publicly told her own story through interviews. This privacy is notable considering that her daughter’s career was built around sharing personal drama with millions of viewers.
Recent Public Attention
Kadima Selmani has no verified social media account. Her name comes up on Instagram search pages, but these are collections of posts that mention her rather than evidence of an official account.
More often, her daughter’s life makes the news. In March 2024, Drita revealed that she had quietly separated from her husband following his 2020 arrest. Kadima has made no public comment on the report.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kadima Selmani
Who is Kadima Selmani?
Kadima Selmani is the mother of VH1’s Mob Wives reality star Drita D’Avanzo. She has largely stayed out of the media and maintains a private life away from the spotlight.
Who is Kadima Selmani’s husband?
Her husband, Nezir “Ness” Selmani, has been a longtime soccer coach. He spent many years as a women’s soccer coach at Fordham University.
Was Kadima Selmani on Mob Wives?
No credible source lists Kadima Selmani as a cast member of Mob Wives. The show centered around her daughter, Drita D’Avanzo.
How old is Kadima Selmani?
Kadima Selmani’s age has not been verified by a reliable public source. Some biography websites list a birth date, but those details are not adequately sourced.
What is Kadima Selmani’s ethnicity?
The Selmani family has Albanian roots. Drita’s family emigrated from Albania and settled in Staten Island.
Does Kadima Selmani have grandchildren?
Yes. Drita D’Avanzo has two daughters, who were born in 2001 and 2007.
Is Kadima Selmani on Instagram?
There is no verified public Instagram account for Kadima Selmani. Most social media posts mentioning her are connected to her daughter, Drita D’Avanzo.
