Trino Marin: Life, Family, Crimes, and Prison
José Trinidad Marín, widely known as Trino Marin, is best known as the first husband of the late Mexican American singer Jenni Rivera.
His name became attached to one of the most talked about family scandals in Latin entertainment history after he was convicted of sexually abusing two of his own daughters and his sister in law.
This article covers his background, his marriage, his crimes, his time in prison, and where he stands today.
Trino Marin Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | José Trinidad Marín |
| Known As | Trino Marin |
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1964 |
| Birthplace | United States (raised partly in Mexico) |
| Nationality | Mexican American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | Around 148 lb (67 kg) |
| Ex Wife | Jenni Rivera |
| Marriage Period | 1984 to 1992 |
| Children | Chiquis, Jacqie, and Michael (Mikey) |
| Occupation Before Arrest | Restaurant and café manager |
| Crimes | Child molestation, sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse |
| Sentence | 31 years in prison |
| Convicted | 2007 |
| Prison Status | Released in November 2024 after serving about 18 years |
Trino Marin Age
Trino Marin was born on February 15, 1964, which makes him in his early sixties today. His age is one of the most searched details about him, largely because fans want context on how old he was during his marriage to Jenni Rivera, his years as a fugitive, and his time behind bars.
Trino Marin Height
Trino Marin stands at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm). He has brown hair and dark brown eyes, and weighs roughly 148 pounds. There is no verified recent photo confirming a change in his physical appearance since his release.
Trino Marin Net Worth
Before his 2006 arrest, Trino Marin reportedly worked as an administrative manager at a Mexican American café. Some reports estimate his net worth during that period at somewhere between 600,000 and 800,000 dollars, though this figure has never been independently confirmed.
After spending nearly two decades in prison, there is no reliable public information about his current finances. His financial profile stands in sharp contrast to that of his ex wife, whose music career made her a multimillionaire.
Trino Marin Personal Life
Trino Marin met Jenni Rivera in high school, when she was around 15 years old and he was about 20. She became pregnant with their first child, and the couple married in 1984. Together they had three children:
- Chiquis (Janney Marín) — born in 1985
- Jacqie — born in 1989
- Michael (Mikey) — born in 1991
Jenni filed for divorce in 1992, citing physical and emotional abuse during the marriage. At the time, the public did not yet know about the darker allegations that would surface years later.
Who is Trino Marin?
Trino Marin, born José Trinidad Marín, is a man whose public identity is now permanently tied to two things: his marriage to one of the most influential Mexican American singers of her generation, and the criminal case that followed years after their divorce.
Before his connection to Jenni Rivera made him a public figure, he lived a private life with no media attention. Today, most people who search his name want to understand what happened, how the crimes came to light, and what became of him afterward.
What Happened with Trino Marin?
In 1997, Jenni Rivera’s younger sister, Rosie Rivera, came forward and revealed that Trino Marin had sexually abused her starting when she was around seven years old. She also disclosed that he had done the same to his own daughter, Chiquis. A physical examination later showed that his other daughter, Jacqie, had also been abused.
Once these allegations surfaced, a criminal case was opened against him. Rather than face the charges, Trino Marin fled and became a fugitive, evading arrest for nearly nine years. During this period, Jenni Rivera had to raise her children while dealing with intense public scrutiny and the emotional weight of what her family had endured.
In April 2006, authorities finally arrested him. The trial that followed drew heavy attention from the Latino community and Jenni Rivera’s growing fan base. In May 2007, a jury found him guilty on eight felony counts, including:
- Three counts of a lewd act against a child
- Three counts of oral copulation
- One count of aggravated sexual assault
- One count of continuous sexual assault
The Long Beach Superior Court sentenced him to 31 years in prison. This case transformed his public identity almost overnight, turning what had been a private family matter into national news.
What Was Trino Marin’s Relationship with His Children?
Trino Marin’s relationship with his three children from his marriage to Jenni Rivera, Chiquis, Jacqie, and Michael, has been deeply complicated by the abuse case. Two of his daughters were direct victims of his crimes, which understandably shaped how they viewed him for years afterward.
Over time, Chiquis Rivera has spoken publicly about her healing journey. In her memoir titled Forgiveness, she opened up about the abuse she experienced and how she worked through the trauma. She has stated in interviews that despite everything, she does not carry hatred toward her father, and she reportedly visited him in prison and expressed forgiveness before his release.
Jacqie has been more private about her personal feelings, while Michael has largely stayed out of the public conversation surrounding the case.
Did Trino Marin Have Another Daughter?
Reports mention a second relationship that reportedly produced a daughter named Diana, but there is no verified source confirming full details about this claim. It remains one of the less documented parts of his personal history.
Is Trino Marin Still in Prison or Has He Been Released?
As of the most recent confirmed reports, Trino Marin was released from prison in November 2024, after serving approximately 18 years of his 31 year sentence. His release was reportedly linked to good behavior credits, a practice that exists within the California penal system, though it proved controversial given the nature of his crimes.
Mexican journalists confirmed his departure after his name no longer appeared in the California state prison inmate records. Rosie Rivera, one of his victims, was notified of his release by Long Beach authorities and later spoke about having mixed emotions regarding the news.
Was Maria Trino Marin Wife?
This is one of the more persistent rumors circulating online, but there is no credible evidence to support it. Trino Marin’s only publicly confirmed marriage was to Jenni Rivera.
While there are unverified reports of a second relationship, no reliable source identifies that person as someone named Maria. This claim appears to be a rumor that spread on social media without solid fact checking behind it.
How Much Was Jenni Rivera Wealth, and Who Received It?
Jenni Rivera built an estimated net worth of around 25 million dollars by the time of her death in a plane crash in December 2012. Her estate, which included music royalties, real estate, and business ventures, was passed on primarily to her five children. Her estate has continued to generate income through album sales, television projects, and brand partnerships managed by her family.
Who Did Jenni Rivera Love?
Jenni Rivera’s romantic life played out largely in public view. She was married three times:
| Husband | Marriage Period | Notes |
| Trino Marin | 1984 to 1992 | Father of Chiquis, Jacqie, and Michael |
| Juan Lopez | 1997 to 2003 | Father of Jenicka and Johnny; later convicted on drug charges and died in prison in 2009 |
| Esteban Loaiza | 2010 to 2012 | Retired professional baseball pitcher; divorce was in progress when she died |
Beyond her three marriages, Jenni revealed in her autobiography Unbreakable: My Story, My Way that she had a deep private love for a man she referred to as “El Corredor,” a radio promoter she cared for outside the public spotlight. She wrote that addiction ultimately kept that relationship from becoming permanent.
Conclusion
Trino Marin’s story is one of the most difficult chapters connected to the Rivera family’s public history. His marriage to Jenni Rivera, the crimes he committed against his own daughter and sister in law, his years as a fugitive, and his eventual conviction and imprisonment all left a lasting mark on the family.
While he has since been released after serving 18 years of his sentence, the impact of his actions continues to shape how his children and the public remember his story. His case remains a reminder of how survivors like Chiquis and Rosie Rivera have chosen to speak openly and pursue healing despite deep trauma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trino Marin still alive?
Yes, based on the most recent reports, Trino Marin is alive and was released from prison in November 2024.
How many years did Trino Marin serve in prison?
He served approximately 18 years out of his original 31 year sentence.
Who are Trino Marin’s children?
His confirmed children with Jenni Rivera are Chiquis, Jacqie, and Michael. Reports also mention a daughter named Diana from another relationship, though this is not fully verified.
Did Jenni Rivera forgive Trino Marin?
Jenni Rivera never publicly stated forgiveness toward Trino Marin, though she expressed relief when his trial concluded. Her daughter Chiquis has spoken about her own personal forgiveness.
What crimes was Trino Marin convicted of?
He was convicted of eight felony counts, including lewd acts against a child, oral copulation, aggravated sexual assault, and continuous sexual assault.
