Posted on 01/21/2006 2:03:21 PM PST by amdgmary
They might have done this years ago, but he already had a wife.
Michael Schiavo and Jodi Centonze applied for a marriage license in Pinellas County on Friday. She listed her last marriage as ending in divorce on March 29, 1989. He listed his as ending in death on March 31, 2005.
Their relationship has long been a curious sidenote in the national right-to-die case of Michael's first wife, Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years.
Michael Schiavo, 42, has called Jodi Centonze his fiancee for at least six years, relatives said. They live together and have two young children. For years Jodi has been the other woman, the target of death threats and scorn. Michael always had Terri, and his famous legal fight to let her go.
That ended in March, when Terri's feeding tube was removed against the wishes of her parents, many in the religious community and the Florida legislature.
Michael Schiavo and Jodi Centonze have had a relatively quiet life since Terri's death.
Family members confirmed Friday the Pinellas County marriage license, but would not reveal details of the upcoming wedding, saying they hoped to keep media attention to a minimum.
"I know it's going to be big news when it happens," said Jodi's brother John Centonze. "I've even had the (National) Enquirer contact me offering me money to give them pictures if they got married. Five grand just for a picture of my sister and they didn't care how old it was."
He said he hopes the wedding will be a step toward normalcy.
Michael Schiavo's brother Brian was more coy. "What wedding?" he said. "I have to call them and find out why I haven't been invited."
John Centonze said the wedding will take place sometime before his sister's 41st birthday on Valentine's Day. He said he hasn't rented a tuxedo yet because "it's too early."
Jodi Centonze was in Michael Schiavo's life before the lawsuits and the cameras.
The two met in a dentist's office and began a relationship about 11 years ago. Terri was already in a nursing home. She had collapsed in 1990, likely from a potassium imbalance.
Then came the split between Michael and his in-laws, followed by eight years of litigation. Michael said he had given up on Terri's chances of recovering and had promised not to keep her alive by artificial means. Bob and Mary Schindler accused their son-in-law of trying to kill their daughter so he could keep money from a malpractice settlement.
The case reached the Florida Legislature, the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress, the White House, the Vatican and the national conscience. Protesters outside Terri's hospice in Pinellas Park held signs that said, "Michael don't plan the wedding yet, we still have hope!" and "Arrest Mike for bigamy."
Friends and relatives say Michael Schiavo told them then that Terri was his first love and the only woman he called his wife.
The marriage license is valid for 60 days.
The Centonze family
This is soooo cozy. Must be quite the time around the table at gatherings...
--John Centonze is one of Michael Schiavo's best friends.
--Jodi Centonze is John Centonze's sister.
--John Centonze's wife Gloria "was one of Terri's caregivers" in 1990, according to page 59 of the April 4, 2005 issue of People magazine.
--Jodi Centonze once also helped care for Terri, to the point of washing Terri's linens.
--Jodi Centonze has borne Michael Schiavo two (or more) children.
If those stark facts don't send chills down your spine, you're made of sterner stuff than I am...
Is that what you call such people now? They used to have other names for that.
I wonder if they'll keep that "till death do us part" line in the marriage vows. I suppose they could edit it to fit the facts. How about this? "...till court-ordered death by torture gets the wife out of the way."
Any pics of the blushing bride?
We already have one. "Save the Whales."
Would it be too old-school to send the newlyweds a lifetime supply of insulin, needles and potassium citrate?
If you were a woman so desperate for marriage that she'd take Michael Schiavo, would you want a photographer around?
If she lives that long!
It's probably a "shotgun" wedding in an odd sort of way. It isn't that her daddy is holding a shotgun. It's that he has to marry her or else she could testify against him.
Thanks for the ping. So, they're finally going to do it. I wonder where the bride has registered for gifts? Who's going to marry them, and if it turns out to be a Catholic priest, I will personally write the Vatican and complain.
Oh, and I especially like what the St. Pete Times have to say about how Terri died. What chutzpah : (
Ahhh, but that's where you could be wrong. She could be a very attractive looking woman. On the outside at least. As for why she hooked up with him, it could have been out of greed, or very low self esteem. Super models have been know to actually have low self esteem. I am very curious to see what the bride looks like.
Lol, I remember the comments about Charles and Camila's wedding.
Second best plan for her .....keep some damning evidence against Michael in a safe deposit box.
How lovely! Excuse me while I go puke. Any time Michael's name is mentioned, well let's just say my stomach turns all sour on me.
You're a better Christian than I am right now. Praying for them is one thing. That's about all I can handle.
Same here. He's a sleazebag.
Really?
Not one word about the fact that Schaivo has formed a PAC and is dipping his cruddy toes into politics.
The Slimes didn't mention this this little tidbit.....three guesses why not.
Leni
Is it just me, or does she slightly resemble Terri when she was a brunette? Michael probably likes brunettes, which is why he came unglued that Terri wanted to stay a blonde.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.