CLEARWATER, Fla. - A man whose brain-damaged wife was at the center of a contentious end-of-life battle that played out on a worldwide media stage has remarried, family members said. Michael Schiavo and Jodi Centonze were married Saturday in a private church ceremony, said John Centonze, the brother of the bride.
Schiavo's former wife, Terri Schiavo, died March 31, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed. Terri Schiavo suffered irreversible brain damage after collapsing at age 26 in 1990.
Her parents and siblings fought to keep her alive for years, arguing that she had some level of consciousness. Gov. Jeb Bush, the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress, the White House, and even the Vatican became involved in the case.
An autopsy supported Michael Schiavo's contention that she was in a persistent vegetative state with no consciousness and no hope of recovery.
Because of the attention attracted by the Schiavo saga, family members kept the location of the ceremony secret and reporters were not allowed inside the church in Safety Harbor, about 15 miles northwest of Tampa.
"It was very emotional," John Centonze said after the noon ceremony. "It's been a long time coming. A lot of things happened in between."
The bride and groom did not make any public comment. They had applied Friday for a marriage license.
The couple met in a dentist's office and began a relationship after Terri Schiavo was already in a nursing home. Michael Schiavo has called Centonze his fiancee for more than five years, relatives said. They have two young children.
"Except for the fact that the world knows their name, it was like any wedding you've ever been to," said Michael Hirsh, who attended, and who is helping Michael Schiavo write a book.
Hirsh estimated about 80 people attended.
*****
WTF? He isnt allowed to remarry or something? the man didnt do a thing wrong. By his actions he accepted Terris fate when he placed head stone on her grave. He gave the date she collapsed as the date she "departed". He has lived with this women for years and let the media crap die dwn. I can understnad the parnets wnating Terri to live, being the only child and all...but she was a veggie. and no hope for anyting but that.
***** WTF? He isnt allowed to remarry or something? the man didnt do a thing wrong. By his actions he accepted Terris fate when he placed head stone on her grave. He gave the date she collapsed as the date she "departed". He has lived with this women for years and let the media crap die dwn. I can understnad the parnets wnating Terri to live, being the only child and all...but she was a veggie. and no hope for anyting but that. let the man live w/o this crap, please,
Exactly !
I didn't know about the date on the headstone.
The parents were totally out of line IMHO. From what I've read he seems to be an honorable man.
__________________
"The statements and opinions contained in this communication do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Commission regarding these issues."
it just shows how media sensationalism rules peoples lives..it's only news becouse people cant mind there own business. i wish him luck with his new life.