Who Is Aaron Hernandez's Fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins? Inside Her Relationship with the Late Athlete and Their Daughter’s Disputed Trust Fund

Mar. 15, 2025

Shayanna Jenkins and Aaron Hernandez.Photo:Shayanna Jenkins/Instagram

Shayanna Jenkins/Instagram

Shayanna Jenkins will “always” love the late Aaron Hernandez.

The pair first met as kids and went on to date in high school. Hernandez proposed in 2012, right around the time Jenkins gave birth to their daughter, Avielle.

Having signed a $40 million contract with the New England Patriots, Hernandez seemed to have it all — a successful football career and a happy home.

“I want Aaron to be known as innocent because he was,” she toldDr. Philin a 2017interview. “He was full of life, so sweet, very lovable, would do anything for anyone … He’s the love of my life. I want him to be known for what he is instead of what people are speculating. They want to make him out to be this monster and he’s not.”

So, who is Aaron Hernandez’s fiancée? Here’s everything to know about Shayanna Jenkins and her relationship with the disgraced NFL player.

She and Hernandez were high school sweethearts

Shayanna Jenkins and Aaron Hernandez.Shayanna Jenkins/Instagram

Jenkins and Hernandez, both from Bristol, Conn., met in elementary school. They later dated in high school but split when the football star attended the University of Florida.

She and Hernandez got engaged in 2012

Shayanna jenkins and Aaron Hernandez.Shayanna Jenkins/Instagram

Hernandez proposed to Jenkins in 2012. At the time, they were expecting their first child, Avielle.

Jenkins supported the former football player throughout his trial and time in prison but the couple were not married at the time of his death.

She has two daughters

Shayanna Jenkins and daughters Avielle and Giselle.Shayanna Jenkins/Instagram

Jenkins is a mom of two.

She and Hernandez welcomed their daughter, Avielle, on Nov. 6, 2012, which was also the former football star’s birthday. According to Jenkins, Hernandez was a “loving” father until the very end.

On June 16, 2018, Jenkins gave birth to her second daughter,Giselle.

“Aaron had demons; we all know that,” a former teammate of Hernandez’s said in May 2018. “But he really was devoted to his daughter. Boy, did he love her.I think he’d be very gladto know that she was going to have a little sister.”

She testified in Hernandez’s trials

Shayanna Jenkins on witness stand at Aaron Hernandez’s trial in 2015.MediaNews Group via Getty

MediaNews Group via Getty

Hernandez was arrested on June 26, 2013, and charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd — a semi-professional football player Jenkins' sister was dating. Lloyd’s body was found in an industrial park after being shot six times. The murder weapon was never found.

In May 2014, while awaiting trial, Hernandez was indicted again — this time in connection with a 2012 double homicide. He was eventually found guilty of murdering Lloyd and found not guilty of the double homicide.

She shared this version of events on the witness stand, however, it was not the testimony she gave a grand jury ahead of the trial. Initially, she said nobody asked her to remove the box from the house and said she couldn’t remember where she disposed of it.

Jenkins was ultimately indicted for perjury but prosecutors granted her immunity due to the importance of her testimony. The perjury charges were eventually dropped, perESPN, and Jenkins went on to testify at Hernandez’s double murder trial.

“I testified to the truth,” she told Dr. Phil. When asked about the box and her lack of curiosity about its contents, Jenkins said: “I’m glad I didn’t [open it]. I’d rather be in the dark.”

Shayanna Jenkins in the courtroom during Aaron Hernandez’s double murder trial in 2017.MediaNews Group via Getty

“I don’t think this was a suicide,” she told Dr. Phil, explaining that Hernandez was “excited to come home” following his acquittal in the double murder trial and a pending appeal of his original murder conviction. “That would make me doubt that he took his own life. The feedback I was getting from our last talk had nothing to do with suicidal thoughts.”

Hernandez left behindsuicide notesaddressed to Jenkins, Avielle and his lawyer.

She has addressed rumors about Hernandez’s sexuality

Days before Hernandez’s death, rumors began to swirl about the former football player’s sexuality — including claims that he had multiple affairs with men. Jenkins has addressed these rumors over the years, stating that she didn’t know if her fiancé was gay or not.

“If he did feel that way, I wish that I was told.I would not have loved him any differently. I would have understood. It’s not shameful,” she said onGood Morning Americain 2020.

That same year, a source close to the athlete told PEOPLE that Hernandez believed Jenkins was “his soulmate.” The insider added: “Aaron was attracted to men, but the relationship that he had with her was100 percent genuine. He loved her.”

She is an insurance broker and event planner

According to Jenkins’Instagram profile, she is a licensed insurance broker with Symmetry Financial Group.

Jenkins also has her own event-planning business calledMommy and Me, which she launched in May 2024.

She has been accused of misusing her daughter’s trust fund

Shayanna Jenkins and daughter Avielle.Shayanna Jenkins/Instagram

In recent years, Jenkins, the conservator, has come under fire for requesting reimbursements for expenses that appear unrelated to Avielle — for example, a $12,000 charge for HomeGoods.

Jenkins and Schwartz came to a point of contention in September 2023 when she asked to be reimbursed$10,000 for Avielle’s competitive dance lessonsand was denied. Approximately $150,000 in funds is issued to Jenkins each year to cover her daughter’s daily expenses.

As a result, Schwartz has requested that Jenkins be removed as conservator.

She honors Hernandez on social media

Every year on the date of Hernandez’s death, April 19, Jenkins pays tribute to her fiancée.

“Todaywe think of you with heavy heartsand positive memories! Although you aren’t here physically Avielle and I speak about you often and keep you in close spirit,” she wrote in April 2019. “We love and miss you very much! May you continue to Rest In Peace.”

In 2024,she wrote, “You are truly loved & missed” alongside a selfie of the couple.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.

source: people.com