Dana Dokmanovich is known as the wife of the famous NFL player Franco Harris. However, her life story goes far beyond being married to a football star. She built her own career, raised a successful son, and lived a life full of grace and strength. This article tells you everything about Dana Dokmanovich and her interesting journey.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Dana Dokmanovich |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | Between 1951-1954 |
| Age | 70-73 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Heritage | Serbian-American |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 63 kg (139 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Education | Penn State University |
| Profession | Former Model, Flight Attendant |
| Spouse | Franco Harris (married 1972 – died 2022) |
| Children | 1 son (Franco “Dok” Harris Jr.) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $600,000 |
Early Life and Family Background
Dana Dokmanovich was born in the United States between 1951 and 1954. Her parents, Peter and Bess Dokmanovich, came to America from Serbia looking for better opportunities. They brought with them strong values about hard work, family, and staying humble.
Growing up in a Serbian-American home shaped Dana’s character. Her parents taught her to be strong, kind, and to always help others. These lessons stayed with her throughout her whole life. Dana’s mother, Bess, later lived with Dana and Franco in Pittsburgh, and she even worked as Franco’s secretary.
Dana also has a brother named Gary Dokmanovich. Her family was close and supportive, which helped Dana become the strong woman she is today.
Education and Meeting Franco Harris
Dana went to Penn State University for her higher education. This was where her life changed forever. At Penn State, she was a good student who also had an interest in fashion and modeling.
During her college years, Dana met Franco Harris, who was already becoming a star football player at the university. The two students connected quickly and became friends first. As they spent more time together, their friendship grew into love.
Franco was known for his calm nature and kindness, which Dana admired. She saw not just a talented athlete, but a good person with strong values. Their college days built the foundation for a relationship that would last for fifty years.
Dana’s Career Before Marriage
Before becoming Franco Harris’s wife, Dana had her own successful career path. She worked as a model during her college years and shortly after. Dana worked with some very famous fashion brands including Calvin Klein and Victoria’s Secret. Her natural beauty and professional attitude made her popular in the fashion industry.
However, Dana wanted more than just modeling. She loved to travel and meet new people from different places. This led her to become a flight attendant. She worked for Eastern Airlines, which allowed her to see the world and experience different cultures. This job showed her adventurous spirit and her desire to learn about the world.
Dana’s work experience before marriage showed that she was independent and capable. She built her own identity and career before joining her life with Franco’s.
Marriage to Franco Harris
Dana and Franco got married in 1972 in a private ceremony. They chose to keep their wedding small and personal, with only close family and friends attending. This happened just before Franco started his professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The timing of their marriage was important. Franco was about to enter the NFL, which would bring fame and public attention. Dana became his strongest supporter from the very beginning. She stood by him through his entire 13-season career in professional football.
Their marriage was built on love, respect, and trust. Even though Franco became very famous, especially after his legendary “Immaculate Reception” play in 1972, Dana and Franco kept their personal life private. They did not share too much with the media, preferring to enjoy their life together away from cameras.
Life as an NFL Wife
Being married to an NFL star came with many challenges. Franco Harris was constantly in the public eye. Fans wanted to know everything about him, and the media followed his every move. However, Dana handled this pressure with amazing grace.
She attended many public events with Franco, including NFL games, award ceremonies, and charity functions. In 2016, they appeared together at the NFL Honors event in California. Despite these public appearances, Dana always maintained her dignity and composure.
Dana was more than just a supportive wife. She was Franco’s best friend and closest advisor. She helped him make important decisions about his career and life. Franco often spoke about how important Dana was to him and his success.
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Raising Their Son
Dana and Franco had one son together, Franco Dokmanovich Harris Jr., who everyone calls “Dok.” He was born in 1979 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a mother, Dana was loving and dedicated to giving Dok a normal childhood.
Interestingly, Dana did not want Dok to play football. Even though his father was a football legend, Dana worried about the dangers of the sport. She wanted to protect her only child from injuries. Dok respected his mother’s wishes and chose a different path.
Instead of sports, Dok focused on education and other interests. He went to Princeton University where he studied political economy. Later, he attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and also studied business at Carnegie Mellon University. Dok became a lawyer and later got involved in politics. In 2009, he ran for mayor of Pittsburgh and received 25% of the votes, finishing second in the election.
Dana raised Dok to be intelligent, compassionate, and hardworking. She taught him the same values her parents taught her. Today, Dok is a successful professional who makes his parents proud.
Supporting Franco’s Business Ventures
Franco Harris was not just a football player. After retiring from football, he became a businessman. He started several companies, including Super Bakery and Parks Sausage Company. Dana played an important role in these business ventures.
While Dana stayed mostly behind the scenes, she offered support and helped make important decisions. Her experience and practical thinking helped the family’s businesses succeed. She understood finances well and made smart choices that protected the family’s future.
Dana’s involvement in these businesses shows that she was more than a wife and mother. She was also a business partner who contributed to the family’s financial stability.
Community Service and Personal Interests
Dana Dokmanovich has always believed in helping others. Throughout her life, she has been involved in various charity activities and community programs. She supported local organizations and helped people in need.
Dana worked quietly on these projects, not looking for attention or praise. This reflected her humble nature. She believed in making a difference without needing recognition.
In her personal time, Dana enjoys several hobbies. She loves gardening, which allows her to relax and connect with nature. She also enjoys reading books and spending time with family and friends. These activities help her maintain a balanced and peaceful life.
Physical Appearance
Dana Dokmanovich stands about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 63 kilograms. She has beautiful blonde hair and warm brown eyes that reflect her kind personality. Even in her seventies, Dana maintains a healthy and active lifestyle.
Her appearance shows the care she takes of herself. Dana believes in eating healthy food and staying active. Her classic style and graceful manner make her stand out in any gathering. She dresses simply but elegantly, showing her good taste.
The Loss of Franco Harris
On December 20, 2022, Franco Harris passed away at the age of 72. His death came just two days before the 50th anniversary celebration of his famous “Immaculate Reception” play. The exact cause of his death was not publicly shared.
This was an incredibly difficult time for Dana. After fifty years of marriage, she lost her life partner and best friend. The family released a statement expressing their deep sadness and describing Franco as someone who represented “kindness, charity, decency and humility.”
Many people from the football world and beyond sent their condolences to Dana and her family. Terry Bradshaw, Franco’s former teammate, said he was in a “state of shock.” The Pittsburgh Steelers and many other teams honored Franco’s memory.
Despite her grief, Dana showed remarkable strength during this difficult period. She handled everything with the same grace and dignity she had shown throughout her life.
Dana’s Legacy and Impact
Dana Dokmanovich’s life teaches us important lessons. She shows that you can be strong without being loud, and you can make a big difference without seeking attention. Her support helped Franco become one of the greatest football players in history. Her love and guidance helped raise a successful and caring son.
Dana’s legacy is not about fame or money. It is about being a good person, supporting your family, and helping your community. She balanced many roles in her life – student, model, flight attendant, wife, mother, and community volunteer – and she did each one with excellence.
Today, Dana continues to live a private life. She does not seek media attention but focuses on honoring Franco’s memory and spending time with her son and loved ones.
Life After Franco’s Passing
Since Franco’s death, Dana has maintained her privacy. She has not given many interviews or made public statements. This is consistent with how she has always lived her life – away from the spotlight.
Dana continues to live in the Pittsburgh area, where she spent most of her married life. The community there knows and respects her. She remains involved in some charitable activities, continuing the work that both she and Franco cared about.
As of 2025, Dana does not have grandchildren yet. Her son Dok once joked in an interview that he is “still single” and looking for someone with “patience, patience, patience.” Dana enjoys her relationship with her son and supports him in whatever he chooses to do.
Lessons from Dana’s Life
There are many things we can learn from Dana Dokmanovich’s life story:
Stay True to Yourself: Even when married to a famous person, Dana kept her own identity. She had her own career and interests.
Support Your Loved Ones: Dana showed incredible support for Franco throughout his career. She was always there for him.
Value Privacy: In a world where many people seek attention, Dana chose to keep her personal life private. This choice gave her family peace and normalcy.
Give Back to Others: Dana believed in helping her community without seeking recognition for it.
Be Strong During Hard Times: When Franco died, Dana showed great strength and courage. She handled her grief with dignity.
Raise Children with Good Values: Dana made sure her son grew up to be a good, educated, and caring person.
Conclusion
Dana Dokmanovich is much more than “Franco Harris’s wife.” She is a woman who built her own career, raised a wonderful son, supported her husband’s dreams, and gave back to her community. Her life is a beautiful example of strength, love, and humility.
From her Serbian-American roots to her education at Penn State, from her modeling career to becoming a flight attendant, from her fifty-year marriage to raising a successful son, Dana’s journey is filled with meaning and purpose.
While Franco Harris will always be remembered for his football greatness, those who know the full story understand that Dana was an essential part of his success. Behind every great person, there is often someone giving support, encouragement, and love. For Franco Harris, that person was Dana Dokmanovich.
Today, Dana’s story reminds us that the most important things in life are not always the ones that make headlines. Sometimes, the greatest achievements happen quietly, through daily acts of love, support, and dedication to family and community.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Dana Dokmanovich?
Dana Dokmanovich is the wife of the late NFL Hall of Fame player Franco Harris. She is a former model and flight attendant who has lived a life focused on family, community service, and supporting her husband’s career. She is also the mother of Franco “Dok” Harris Jr., who became a lawyer and politician.
2. How did Dana Dokmanovich meet Franco Harris?
Dana and Franco met while they were both students at Penn State University in the late 1960s or early 1970s. They became friends during their college years, and their friendship grew into a loving relationship that led to marriage in 1972.
3. What did Dana Dokmanovich do for work?
Before marriage, Dana worked as a professional model with famous brands like Calvin Klein and Victoria’s Secret. She later became a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines, which allowed her to travel around the world and experience different cultures.
4. Does Dana Dokmanovich have children?
Yes, Dana and Franco Harris have one son named Franco “Dok” Harris Jr. He chose not to pursue football like his father. Instead, he became a lawyer and got involved in politics. In 2009, he ran for mayor of Pittsburgh.
5. What is Dana Dokmanovich doing now?
After Franco Harris’s death in December 2022, Dana has continued to live privately in the Pittsburgh area. She maintains her privacy and focuses on honoring her late husband’s memory while staying close to her son and family. She remains involved in some community activities but keeps most of her life away from public attention.
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