It seemed like former Bachelorette DeAnna Pappas got her fairy tale ending with Stephen Stagliano – until they divorced in 2023 after 11 years of marriage.

In Touch rounds up everything to know about Stephen, including his former marriage with DeAnna, his family’s Bachelor Nation connection and more.

What Is Stephen Stagliano’s Job?

Stephen changed his career path after receiving his bachelor’s degree in history teacher education from Illinois State University in 2006. After teaching for three years, Stephen transitioned into a sales position, according to his LinkedIn.

In 2010, Stephen cofounded Stesso Games and founded Story Games Inc in 2023, where he currently works as the CEO.

Stephen Stagliano’s Bachelor Nation Connection

Stephen is the twin brother of Michael Stagliano, who appeared on Jillian Harris’ season 5 of The Bachelorette in 2009. Michael was sent home during week 7, but he returned to the franchise in 2011 when he competed in and won Bachelor Pad season 2. The TV star returned to Bachelor Pad the following season, but fell short of the win and was sent packing during week 5.

Stephen would attend Bachelor Nation events with Michael, which led him to first cross paths with DeAnna in 2009 and the pair quickly became a couple.

Inside Stephen Stagliano’s Marriage With DeAnna Pappas

Stephen and DeAnna fell for each other quickly, and their whirlwind relationship ended up in an engagement in August 2010, and they were married by the following October.

“Marriage is a beautiful thing. Every day since our wedding has been magical. I love my husband more and more each day,” DeAnna told Green Wedding Shoes following their big day. “I went on a very long search for love with The Bachelor and The Bachelorette but, when I stopped searching. God sent me the man of my dreams. I couldn’t be happier and am thankful that I get to call Stephen my husband because he is truly the best man that I have ever known!! We’re on the 60 year plan!!”

Stephen and DeAnna welcomed their eldest child, daughter Addison, in 2014. Their son, Austin, was born two years later.

The couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary with a grand vow renewal ceremony and celebration in October 2021, only to shock fans with their split announcement in January 2023.

“We ask you to respect our privacy during this difficult time as we navigate the new normal,” DeAnna wrote in a statement at the time. “We want to thank our dear friends & family for your endless support & many, many prayers during what has become the most difficult time of our lives.”

In Touch exclusively reported in June 2024 that DeAnna and Stephen finalized their divorce.

Stephen Stagliano and DeAnna Pappas’ Post-Divorce Legal Troubles

As a part of their divorce settlement, the pair were granted joint shared custody of Addison and Austin. In the June 2024 filing obtained by In Touch, the couple agreed that “neither party shall drink alcohol in excess of the legal limit during their custody periods, or have a child and/or children in their custody and control when being intoxicated.” They also agreed not to take narcotics 12 hours before their children went back into their custody.

Things got worse the following March when DeAnna was arrested on a misdemeanor charge at her home after she and Stephen got into a physical altercation while he was picking up their kids.

DeAnna was released hours later after posting a $20,000 bond.

Stephen’s mother, Lynn Stagliano, filed a declaration of their divorce on March 7, 2025, stating, “On Wednesday, February 26, at 7:38 a.m., I went to DeAnna’s house to help get Austin to school. I very clearly smelled alcohol on DeAnna’s breath. I put Austin in the car and left.”

Meanwhile, DeAnna filed an opposition and shared her side of the story.

“The basis of [Stephen’s] is based on his fabrication that I am an alcoholic. This is wholly false and fabricated as way for [Stephen] to gain leverage in his attempt to alienate the children from me,” her statement read.

DeAnna went on to detail the alleged altercation, claiming that Stephen demanded she walk closer to him to smell her breath and “make sure that [she] was not drunk.”

“I had not consumed any alcohol. I ignored Stephen’s comment, and I walked back into the garage. I heard noise behind me. I turned around to see Stephen following me into my garage. [Our daughter] had been left alone sitting in his car with the engine running,” she wrote. “I tried to shut my garage door. Stephen pushed my garage door upward so that it would not close. I shouted at Stephen to get out of my garage. Stephen refused to leave.”

DeAnna alleged that Stephen ​​“Took his hands, grabbing me, and then forcefully shoved me. He pushed my back again. In fear that he would hurt me, I immediately went back inside the house and locked the door while I waited for the police to arrive.”

On March 11, 2025, In Touch exclusively shared screenshots from a video DeAnna submitted to the court, allegedly showing Stephen close to her garage door as she stood inside.