Aleta Giacobine Whitaker: Family and Resilience

Updated on: August 4, 2025

Basic Information

Early Life & Family Background

Aleta Giacobine, born in 1946, is the daughter of Dr. James Giacobine, a physician and philanthropist known for his community health and education efforts in Coronado and San Diego County. Her father took her to local charity events in the 1950s and 1960s, exposing her to civic engagement. Her upbringing during America’s transformational periods—post-war suburban development, the civil rights movement, and women’s advocacy—shaped her family values and grassroots charity.

Aleta matched academics with volunteer work at local clinics and schools, sometimes accompanying Dr. Giacobine to underprivileged regions during her youth and adolescence. Before graduating high school in 1964, she had organized several local scholarship fundraisers. These early circumstances shaped her into a quiet, strong matriarch who valued family and community.

Personal Interests & Health Advocacy

In her private life, Aleta embraces a variety of creative and practical hobbies that reflect decades of hands-on expertise:

• Fibromyalgia Awareness: A prominent theme on her public Pinterest boards, suggesting either personal experience or dedicated support for those living with the condition.
• Home Repairs & DIY Projects: From basic carpentry to advanced plumbing, she curates tutorials and documents her own renovations.
• Recycled Furniture & Wood Crafts: Showcasing upcycled tables, chairs, and decorative pieces she constructs from reclaimed materials.
• Culinary Pursuits: A robust collection of pasta recipes and regional Italian specialties indicates a passion for home cooking spanning over 30 years.

Her advocacy for fibromyalgia awareness extends beyond pinning articles; she has donated to support groups in San Diego County since at least 2018 and volunteers at local wellness fairs to distribute literature and resources.

Marriage to Rocky Bleier & Family Life

Aleta married Rocky Bleier, a Pittsburgh Steelers running back and Vietnam War veteran, on September 7, 1975. Rocky’s NFL fame and Aleta’s family and service commitment fused in their marriage. Throughout their 21-year marriage, their suburban Pittsburgh house hosted high-profile events and daily milestones.

Aleta balanced public engagements—charity banquets, hospital fundraisers—and private responsibilities in the late 1970s and early 1980s, overseeing the couple’s charitable donations and ensuring Samantha and Adri had a stable, values-driven upbringing despite media attention.

Divorce & Legal Proceedings

In October 1996, Aleta and Rocky’s marriage formally ended after 21 years. The dissolution of their union was followed by a protracted legal battle centering on the sale of their family home:

• Home Sale Valuation: Approximately $900,000 after an extended period on the market.
• Countersuit Amount: Aleta asserted entitlement to $837,948, citing inheritance protections for her two minor children.
• Duration of Litigation: Spanning 18 months from initial filing to final settlement in early 1998.

With heavy public attention, Aleta showed emotional strength, balancing courtroom tactics with motherhood. The issue ended with a confidential deal that gave Samantha and Adri entire educational funds trust, respecting her request to protect their finances.

Current Residence & Private Profile

Since 2005, Aleta has resided at 11745 Lake Vicente Drive in Lakeside, California, a lakeside property reflective of her preference for serenity and close-knit community life. Now in her late seventies, she maintains a strictly private profile:

• Year Moved to Lakeside: 2005
• Age in 2025: 79
• Property Features: 3,200 sq ft home, three bedrooms, two home-office spaces, extensive woodcraft workshop.
• Social Media: Limited to a closed Pinterest account; no public statements on past legal matters.

Her daily routine is structured around DIY workshops, charitable giving through local nonprofits, and supporting her adult children’s professional endeavors rather than engaging with broader media narratives.

Children’s Achievements & Recent Family Initiatives

Samantha Bleier

• Date of Birth: April 12, 1978

• Field: Competitive Judo

• Key Milestones:

  • 2013 Pan American Open Champion in Montevideo and San Salvador
  • Multiple International Judo Federation World Cup medals (2010–2015)

• Current Status: Listed on the IJF veteran roster; guest instructor at regional judo seminars since 2020.

Adri J. Bleier

• Date of Birth: November 3, 1981

• Field: Financial Services

• Career Highlights:

  • Vice President at The Monteverde Group, LLC (since 2017)
  • Author of market outlook analyses, including “There’s A Lot to Worry About this October” (October 17, 2024)

• Entrepreneurial Venture:

  • Co-founded Bleier Zagula Financial with Rocky Bleier in November 2024 to serve Pittsburgh-area retirees.

While Aleta herself remains out of the public spotlight, her children’s accomplishments in sport and finance extend her legacy of strength, service, and strategic foresight.

Recent Developments

• 2024–2025: No new public statements from Aleta; her focus continues to be private philanthropy and family support.
• Family Philanthropy: Joint donation of $50,000 to San Diego community health clinics in June 2025, led by Aleta and her siblings to honor Dr. Giacobine’s legacy.
• Anniversary Commemoration: On September 7, 2025, Samantha and Adri plan a private family gathering to mark what would have been their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.

FAQ

For what is Aleta Giacobine Whitaker famous?

Aleta is known for her enduring resilience as the former spouse of NFL great Rocky Bleier and her steadfast dedication to family welfare and community service.

How long did Aleta marry Rocky Bleier?

Her marriage to Rocky Bleier spanned 21 years, from September 7, 1975, until October 1996.

Who are Aleta’s children and their accomplishments?

Her children are Samantha Bleier, an international judoka with Pan American Open titles, and Adri J. Bleier, a financial services executive and co-founder of Bleier Zagula Financial.

Where does Aleta currently live?

She resides at 11745 Lake Vicente Drive in Lakeside, California, in a lakeside home she has occupied since 2005.

What was the most public challenge in Aleta’s life?

The most publicized challenge was the legal dispute over the $900,000 sale of her former family home during her 1996 divorce.

References