Evelyn Melendez: Former Model and Wife of Jordan Knight

Evelyn Melendez is widely recognized as the wife of Jordan Knight, the lead singer of the legendary boy band New Kids on the Block. However, her identity extends far beyond her celebrity marriage. As a former fashion model who graced runways for some of the world’s most prestigious brands, Evelyn built her own successful career before stepping away from the spotlight to focus on family life.

Her commitment to privacy, combined with her professional achievements and dedication to family, makes her a compelling figure who has chosen substance over spectacle.

Who is Evelyn Melendez?

Evelyn Melendez is an American former fashion model born on May 17, 1970. At 55 years old as of 2025, she maintains a private life in Milton, Massachusetts, with her husband Jordan Knight and their two sons. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall with dark brown eyes, Evelyn built a respected modeling career throughout the 1990s and early 2000s before choosing to prioritize family over fame.

Unlike many celebrity spouses who use their partner’s fame for personal gain, Evelyn has consistently avoided the limelight. She rarely gives interviews, maintains no social media presence, and has kept her family life deliberately private.

Early Life and Background

Evelyn Melendez was born and raised in the United States. While she has chosen to keep details about her parents, siblings, and childhood private, her character reflects strong values of discipline, humility, and family commitment.

From a young age, Evelyn showed interest in art, fashion, and creativity. Her natural grace and determination laid the foundation for her future modeling career. Although specific educational details remain private, her professionalism and conduct suggest a well-rounded background.

Her upbringing instilled a quiet confidence and sense of independence that would later define both her professional choices and personal life. Even before her connection to Jordan Knight, Evelyn valued privacy and lived away from public attention.

Modeling Career

Evelyn Melendez launched her modeling career in the early 1990s during a period of significant growth in the fashion industry. Her natural beauty, statuesque presence, and professional demeanor quickly caught the attention of top designers and photographers.

Major Brand Collaborations

Throughout her two-decade career, Evelyn worked with some of the most prestigious names in fashion:

• Versace – Runway shows and campaigns
• Chanel – Fashion presentations
• Dior – Modeling assignments
• Calvin Klein – Advertising campaigns
• Ralph Lauren – Brand collaborations

Magazine Features

Evelyn’s elegant look earned her coveted features in leading fashion publications:

• Vogue – Cover appearances and editorial spreads
• Elle – Magazine features

Her sophisticated style and calm confidence made her a favorite among fashion industry professionals. Despite growing recognition, she remained grounded and focused on meaningful work rather than celebrity exposure.

Career Transition

In the early 2000s, Evelyn made the deliberate choice to step back from modeling to focus on her personal life and growing family. This decision reflected her values and priorities, placing family stability above career fame. Her modeling legacy remains one of elegance, professionalism, and integrity.

Meeting Jordan Knight

Evelyn Melendez and Jordan Knight met in the late 1990s through mutual friends. At the time, Jordan was exploring his solo music career following New Kids on the Block’s hiatus. While he faced global fame and the pressures of celebrity life, Evelyn offered stability and genuine connection.

Their relationship developed privately, away from media scrutiny. Unlike typical celebrity romances, their bond was built on mutual respect, emotional support, and shared values rather than publicity.

Who is Jordan Knight?

Jordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight, born May 17, 1970, is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He rose to international fame as the lead vocalist of New Kids on the Block, one of the most successful boy bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Key achievements include:

• Lead singer of New Kids on the Block (1984-1994, 2008-present)
• Successful solo career with multiple albums and Top 40 singles
• Hit songs include “Give It to You,” “Step by Step,” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff)”
• Estimated net worth of approximately $18 million
• Continued touring and recording with NKOTB following their 2008 reunion

Jordan has publicly credited Evelyn with providing emotional stability during challenging periods, including struggles with alcohol in the early 2000s.

Marriage and Family Life

Evelyn Melendez and Jordan Knight married on September 12, 2004, in a private ceremony attended only by close friends and family. The intimate wedding reflected their preference for privacy over publicity.

One memorable moment came when a friend wheeled in a piano and encouraged Jordan to perform. He serenaded Evelyn with “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever),” creating an emotional moment that moved both of them to tears. Jordan later described it as spontaneous but deeply meaningful, noting that Evelyn could tell he was singing from the heart.

1. Dante Jordan Knight

Born August 25, 1999, Dante is the couple’s first son. He was born before his parents’ marriage, during Jordan’s solo career transition. Despite having famous parents, Dante has been raised largely out of the public eye. The family has been intentional about protecting his privacy and providing him with a grounded upbringing.

2. Eric Jacob Knight

Born February 21, 2007, Eric is the couple’s second son. Like his older brother, Eric has grown up away from media attention. Evelyn and Jordan have maintained their commitment to giving both children normal childhoods focused on education, family values, and personal development.

Evelyn’s approach to motherhood emphasizes stability, privacy, and normalcy. She has successfully shielded her children from unnecessary public exposure while teaching them humility, hard work, and family loyalty. Those close to the family describe her as nurturing, patient, and deeply devoted to her sons’ well-being.

Jordan has shared that family time remains a priority despite his touring schedule. The couple has worked together to balance his demanding music career with present, hands-on parenting.

Current Life

As of 2025, Evelyn Melendez continues to live in Milton, Massachusetts, with her husband and sons. In June 2020, the family purchased a home in this quiet suburban community. The property features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms across 2,252 square feet, purchased for approximately $575,000.

Milton’s peaceful environment aligns with the family’s preference for privacy and low-key living. The town provides normalcy for their children while remaining accessible to Boston when needed for Jordan’s career.

Evelyn maintains a private, family-centered life focused on her sons and supporting Jordan’s continued music career with New Kids on the Block. She avoids public appearances, social media, and interviews, staying true to her longstanding commitment to privacy.

While she no longer models, her influence remains visible in her family’s grounded approach to life despite Jordan’s ongoing fame.

Challenges and Resilience

In 2012, tabloids circulated rumors about marital problems, including speculation about separation and infidelity. Evelyn and Jordan chose not to address these rumors publicly, instead focusing privately on their relationship and family.

Jordan has spoken positively about Evelyn in interviews since then, making clear that their marriage has weathered challenges through mutual commitment and trust. Their refusal to engage with gossip has helped them maintain stability and dignity.

During the early 2000s, Jordan faced personal challenges, including alcohol dependency. Evelyn provided unwavering support during this difficult period, helping him work toward recovery while maintaining family stability. Jordan has publicly acknowledged her strength and the critical role she played in his healing process.

Financial Independence

Evelyn Melendez’s estimated net worth ranges between $100,000 and $1 million, primarily accumulated through her successful modeling career. This financial foundation was built independently before her marriage to Jordan Knight.

While modest compared to Jordan’s estimated $18 million net worth from his music career, Evelyn’s earnings reflect her professional success and financial independence. Her story is not one of depending on her husband’s wealth but rather building her own career before choosing to prioritize family.

Legacy and Influence

Evelyn Melendez represents a different kind of celebrity-adjacent figure. Her legacy is defined not by fame-seeking but by:

• Professional Achievement: Building a respected modeling career with top fashion brands
• Privacy: Maintaining dignity and boundaries in a media-saturated world
• Family Values: Prioritizing her children’s well-being and normal upbringing
• Supportive Partnership: Providing stability for Jordan during career highs and personal lows
• Independence: Establishing her own identity and financial foundation

In an era where celebrity relationships often become commodified, Evelyn’s approach demonstrates that fulfillment and success can exist without constant public validation. She has shown that supporting a famous spouse does not require sacrificing personal privacy or exploiting the relationship for attention.

Evelyn Melendez Timeline

• 1970: Born on May 17 in the United States
• Early 1990s: Began fashion modeling career
• 1990s-2000s: Worked with Versace, Chanel, Dior, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren; appeared in Vogue and Elle
• Late 1990s: Met Jordan Knight
• 1999: Gave birth to first son, Dante Jordan Knight (August 25)
• Early 2000s: Stepped back from modeling; supported Jordan through personal challenges
• 2004: Married Jordan Knight (September 12)
• 2007: Gave birth to second son, Eric Jacob Knight (February 21)
• 2008: Jordan reunited with New Kids on the Block for touring
• 2012: Faced and privately handled marriage rumors
• 2020: Family purchased home in Milton, Massachusetts (June)
• 2025: Continues private family life at age 55

Conclusion

Evelyn Melendez has crafted a life defined by grace, strength, and intentional choices. From establishing herself as a successful fashion model in the competitive 1990s industry to building a stable, private family life with Jordan Knight, she has consistently prioritized substance over spectacle.

Her story offers a counternarrative to typical celebrity spouse trajectories. Rather than capitalizing on her husband’s fame, she has maintained fierce privacy and independence. Rather than seeking attention, she has focused on raising her sons away from media scrutiny. Rather than publicizing challenges, she has faced them privately with dignity.

At 55 years old, Evelyn Melendez continues to embody quiet strength and unwavering dedication to what matters most: family, privacy, and living according to her values. Her influence extends beyond magazine covers and runway appearances—it lies in demonstrating how to navigate fame with integrity while preserving personal boundaries and family sanctity.