Last Updated on June 21, 2026 by
Michael Gambino was the first husband of actress and country music singer Jana Kramer. While he briefly entered the public eye due to his marriage to the star, his legacy is tragically defined by severe domestic violence, an attempted murder conviction, and his eventual death by suicide.
Trigger Warning: This article discusses severe domestic violence and suicide.
| Name | Michael Gambino |
| Famous Spouse | Jana Kramer (m. 2004) |
| Criminal Record | Attempted Murder Conviction (2005) |
| Death | Suicide (2012) |
Michael Gambino and Jana Kramer’s Wedding
Michael Gambino met Jana Kramer in 2004 when she was 19 years old. Following a whirlwind, intense two-week romance, the couple decided to elope. They had a quick wedding ceremony in Las Vegas in 2004, making Gambino her first husband.
However, the marriage quickly deteriorated into a nightmare. Kramer has spoken publicly and courageously about the fact that Gambino was severely abusive, controlling her life, isolating her from her family, and subjecting her to frequent physical violence.
The Attempted Murder Conviction
The abuse culminated in a horrific incident in August 2005. During a severe escalation of violence, Gambino choked Kramer until she was completely unconscious and left her bleeding on the gravel outside their Los Angeles home.
Gambino was subsequently arrested and faced serious criminal charges for the attack. He was convicted of attempted murder and was sentenced to six years in prison for his crimes against his then-wife.
Michael Gambino Suicide and Death
Michael Gambino served five years of his sentence and was released from prison in 2010 on parole.
For Kramer, his release brought immense fear. However, two years later, the tragic story reached its conclusion. In 2012, Michael Gambino died by suicide. Kramer has stated in interviews that while she felt an initial wave of relief for her own physical safety upon hearing the news, she also felt profound sadness over the tragic end to his life.
(Sources: Facts regarding the 2004 marriage, the 2005 attempted murder conviction, and Gambino’s 2012 suicide are documented in public legal records and through Jana Kramer’s own public statements on television networks and her podcasts.)
Official Embeds: Surviving Domestic Abuse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjRk99E8g2Y
FAQs
Who was Jana Kramer’s first husband?
Jana Kramer’s first husband was Michael Gambino. They were married in Las Vegas in 2004.
What did Michael Gambino do?
Michael Gambino was convicted of attempted murder in 2005 after severely abusing and choking his then-wife, Jana Kramer, until she was unconscious.
How did Michael Gambino die?
After being released from prison, Michael Gambino died by suicide in 2012.
