| Gina Liano | |
| Birth Name: | Mary Eugene Smith |
| Birth Place: | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Alma Mater: | Monash University |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Occupation: | Barrister, author, entrepreneur, television personality |
| Years Active: | 2014–present |
| Known For: | The Real Housewives of Melbourne |
| Children: | 2 |
| Relatives: | Bettina Liano (sister) Teresa Liano (sister) |
Gina Liano (born 1966) is an Australian barrister, author, entrepreneur and television personality. She is best known for her role in The Real Housewives of Melbourne.
Liano was born Mary Eugene Smith in Brighton, Victoria, to Italian parents Anita Bonollo and Nicola Italiano.[1] She is one of four siblings. Her sisters Bettina Liano and Teresa Liano are both fashion designers.[2]
Liano attended and graduated from Star of the Sea College in 1983. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University in 1992, followed by a Bachelor of Laws.[3]
In 2003, Liano was diagnosed with cancer. She went into remission after 12 months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.[4] She has been divorced twice and has two sons. She lives in Melbourne.[2]
In 1985, Liano went into business with her sisters running a chain of boutiques.[2] Liano was admitted as a lawyer in 1997, and joined the Victorian Bar in 1999.[3] She is a criminal barrister, and practices in criminal law, intentional torts, commercial law, family law and employment law.[5]
Since 2014, Liano has appeared on the Australian reality television series The Real Housewives of Melbourne.[6] She has appeared as a panellist on a number of shows and had a segment on Seven Network's Legal Eagle.[3] She also been a property developer, an art curator and a wedding celebrant.[3]
Liano has released fragrances, a jewellery range and a tanning range.[3] Her autobiography, Fearless, was published in April 2015.[4] That same month, she joined the cast of Neighbours as Mary Smith.[7] Liano was hired after she impressed casting directors during a screen test.[8] She began filming on 14 April 2015.[8] Liano reprised the role in February 2016.[9]
In 2015, Liano was a contestant in the fourth season of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia. She withdrew from the competition in the fourth week on medical advice.[10]
In January 2016, it was announced Liano would make her theatre debut in July as the wicked stepmother in the pantomime adaptation of Cinderella at The State Theatre in Sydney.[11]