Cortese was born in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township, New Jersey to Italian-American parents John (1949–2016)[1] and Joan Cortese.[2] Cortese's older sister, Joanie Maiorella, was put up for adoption and lived down the road from them. Cortese learned this when she was seven-years-old and met her sister thereafter. Maiorella appeared in several episodes throughout season five of Jersey Shore.
Cortese was a cast member on the reality TV series Jersey Shore. Deena had originally auditioned for season 1, but declined an offer to participate due to a family emergency;[4] however, she was cast by MTV when Angelina Pivarnick left the show after season two, and Snooki suggested her as a replacement.[5] She joined the cast in season three, which filmed in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
In 2018, Cortese returned to MTV as one of the cast members of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, which is still running and she currently remains on the show.
Personal life
In November 2016, Cortese became engaged to Christopher Buckner.[6] They were married on October 28, 2017.[7] In 2018, Cortese revealed that she and her husband were expecting their first child, a son. Cortese gave birth to Christopher John "CJ" Buckner, named after her husband, Chris, and after her late father John, who died on January 5, 2016. In October 2020, she revealed that she and her husband were expecting their second child in May 2021 and later revealed to be a boy.[8][9] Cortese gave birth to Cameron Theo Buckner on May 1, 2021.[10] The couple recently had two homes in Jackson Township, New Jersey, and moved to another town after they had their second child.
