Bob Menendez, once a powerful figure in the U.S. Senate, is now facing the biggest downfall of his career. At 71 years old, the former New Jersey senator has been convicted of 16 federal crimes, including bribery, extortion, and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, all while serving as the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His corruption scheme, which spanned years, finally caught up with him, and on January 29, the infamous political leader was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
But Menendez wasn’t the only one wrapped up in the scandal. His wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, found herself right at the center of it all. The couple was indicted together in September 2023, accused of running an elaborate scheme that involved everything from cash bribes to gold bars.
When investigators raided Menendez’s home, they found $480,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes and hidden in clothing, along with over $100,000 worth of gold bars—the kind of evidence that raises more than a few eyebrows. Federal prosecutors wasted no time, charging five people, including Bob and Nadine Menendez, for their roles in the alleged corruption network.
But as Bob heads to prison, the big question remains: What happens to Nadine? Will the woman face the same fate as her husband?
Has Bob Menendez’s Wife Nadine Also Faced the Same Charges?
While Bob Menendez has already received his prison sentence, Nadine Arslanian Menendez has yet to stand trial. Unlike her husband, whose fate is sealed, Nadine remains in legal limbo—though not without complications of her own.
Her trial has been pushed back multiple times, and the reason isn’t just legal maneuvering. Nadine is currently battling an advanced stage of breast cancer, which has significantly delayed court proceedings.
In May 2024, Menendez released a statement revealing the severity of his wife’s condition. “Nadine is suffering from Grade 3 breast cancer, which will require her to have mastectomy surgery. We are, of course, concerned about the seriousness and advanced stage of the disease. She will require follow-up surgery and possibly radiation treatment. We hope and pray for the best results.”
For now, her trial is scheduled for March, but with her ongoing treatments, it remains uncertain whether the proceedings will move forward as planned.
They Got Engaged in 2019
The romance between Bob and Nadine took shape in 2018, but how exactly they met remains a bit of a mystery. Some reports suggest they had an on-again, off-again relationship throughout the year, while others claim their first encounter happened in December 2018 at an IHOP in Union City.
Regardless of when sparks first flew, Menendez made sure his proposal in 2019 was nothing short of theatrical. On October 3, 2019, while visiting India, Nadine found herself sitting on the Princess Diana bench at the Taj Mahal. Her future husband Menendez stood behind her and suddenly began singing “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. The emotional moment took Nadine by surprise, and before She knew it, tears started streaming down her face.
Then came the big question.
“Will you marry me?” Bob asked.
Through her tears, Nadine said yes, and Menendez, beaming, pulled out the engagement ring.
The couple sealed the moment with a long kiss, turning their whirlwind romance into something even more surreal.
Bob and Nadine Married in 2020
After their over-the-top Taj Mahal engagement, Bob Menendez and Nadine Arslanian officially became husband and wife on October 3, 2020. Unlike their grand proposal, their wedding was a low-key affair, held amid the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The couple exchanged vows in an intimate, socially distanced ceremony, surrounded by close family and friends. As the senior senator from New Jersey and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez kept the guest list small, celebrating outdoors in a setting that prioritized safety over spectacle.
For both Bob and Nadine, this was their second marriage. Menendez was previously married to Jane Jacobsen. He also shared two children, Alicia and Rob Menendez with his first wife. Their marriage ended in 2005, long before his political scandals would come to light.
Similarly, Nadine was also divorced in 2005 and has two children from her previous marriage.
