Alex Lagina is an American engineer, business man, producer and TV personality, born on 21 May 1987, in Traverse, Michigan USA. He’s known for his appearances in the series “The Curse of Oak Island”.
Early Life
Alex and his sister Maddie are children of Marty and Olivia Lagina. There’s no information about Alex’s childhood and early education, though it’s known he followed his parents’ career path, choosing to enroll into the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 2009 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Career
Business Man
After his graduation Alex returned to his hometown to start working in his family’s business – Mari Vineyards company – intending to prolong his Italian family’s tradition.
Alex’s father Marty founded Mari Vineyards in 1999, firmly believing it could create unique, internationally recognized wines by growing unexpected, unusual grapes in Michigan. Although it seemed like an impossibly idea at first, Marty succeed and in 2006 Mari Vineyards effectively produced and distributed Row 7, their first product after a long seven years of trying and failing to create a wine suitable to their expectations.
Situated in Old Mission Peninsula, nowadays Mari Vineyards owns around 60 acres of vineyard, and their products are commercialized in many stores and restaurants of the town. The company also offers guided tours to wine enthusiasts, and collectors interested in the vineyard.
Alex Lagina has become a key contributor to his family’s business, as he has been in charge of its development department for over a decade, helping to construct and expand the winery to Traverse City.
TV Debut – Oak Island
In 2014 Alex Lagina appeared for the first time in “The Curse of Oak Island”, a show centered on his father’s and Uncle Rick’s journey to find ancient treasures supposedly hidden in Oak Island, in Nova Scotia. Although Alex’s job in his family’s vineyard is still his main occupation, he spends summers working on the Island supporting his family’s quest, guiding the treasure hunt project as an engineer.
Alex also appears in the series as a qualified diver, though it’s unknown exactly when he developed an aptitude in said activity. He has worked as the series’ associate producer as well.
Regarding his work on the series, Alex commented it was ‘an opportunity to spend time with my uncle and dad doing this crazy adventure’.
Besides “The Curse Of Oak Island”, Alex has also appeared in its spin-off, entitled “Drilling Down”.
What is Hidden in Oak Island?
The first mention of an ancient treasure buried on Oak Island dates back to 1700, when a dying former sailor – who was said to form part of Captain Kidd’s crew – hinted the iconic pirate had buried ancient artifacts and gems on the island. However, it wasn’t until 1799 that a man named Daniel McGinnis found what is nowadays known as The Pit, where the treasure is speculated to be buried.
Besides huge quantities of gold and precious rocks estimated at $7 million, some of the treasures rumored to be hidden are Masonic artifacts, Marie Antoinette’s jewels, the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant.
Although none of these items have been found yet, carbon-14 dating suggests The Pit was constructed in the 16th century.
Since the 1800s, several men have unsuccessfully tried to dig out the supposed treasures, marking the origin of “The Curse” – a legend dating back to the beginning of the 20th century – which states seven men will die until a big treasure can be found. To date, six men have died while in search of the ancient treasure.
In 1960 Dan Blankenship and David Tobias bought Oak Island, and invested millions of dollars in excavations. Their efforts were unsuccessful, however, and they sold the island in 2006 to Rick and Marty Lagina, who have different ideas of what the rumored treasure actually is: ‘This is where my brother and I diverge’.
Posted by Alex Lagina Fans on Thursday, June 18, 2020
Said Rick in 2014: ‘There’s a story buried on that island that I want to figure out, and I think that’s the real treasure. A fabled, long-lost treasure would be fantastic. But there’s a wonderful story written on that ground, and I want to know the who, what, when, where, why and how’.
Alex Lagina’s interest in the island lies towards the curiosity aspect though: ‘I would like to see, more than anything, some verification of things that have already been discovered.’ He continued: ‘I’m not as excited about things that lead to new theories, but things that confirm existing theories.’
Other Show
In 2019 Alex appeared in the second season of “The Curse of Civil War Gold”, a documentary series showcasing history teacher Kevin Dykstra’s hunt for civil war lost gold in Muskegon, Michigan.
In the search of what us theorized to be $140 million worth of gold, Alex’s father Marty appears in the series as well, accompanied by other history enthusiasts, researchers and treasure hunters such as Brad Richards and Fred Monroe.
Did Alex Lagina die in Oak Island?
It has been speculated that Alex Lagina died on Oak Island, though said rumors are unfounded as Alex is alive. Nowadays he dedicates his time to work in his family’s Mari Vineyards, and is part of the production staff of “The Curse of Oak Island”.
Personal Life
Alex Lagina maintains his private life out of the spotlight. However, it’s known he’s in a romantic relationship with Instagram influencer and fashion blogger Katherine Sneed. The couple often shares photos of their holidays and trips together, on their social media accounts.
In a photo posted in 2020, Katherine posted a photo congratulating Alex on his birthday with the following caption: ‘HBD to the man who loves wine, oysters, pasta and British TV as much as I do. Can’t wait to go somewhere other than the living room with you.’
How much Alex Lagina worth?
Alex Lagina has an estimated net worth of $50 million, as of mid-2020, the result of his work in Mari Vineyards, and the earnings obtained from his appearances in “The Curse of Oak Island” and other TV series.
Physical Appearance
Alex Lagina is a man of white ethnicity who has handsome features, brown hair and green eyes. There’s no information about his current height and weight, though he has a noticeably strong build.
Interesting Facts
Alex is part of the board of Da Capo Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization which provides economic support to underprivileged children, who can’t afford music lessons by their own means.
He’s an avid golf player.
Oak Island has no permanent residents.
Alex’s family owns Oak Islands Tour Inc.
Alex’s father Marty Lagina is a graduate of Michigan Tech, from where he obtained a degree in Science and Mechanical Engineering. He founded the gas extraction company Terra Energy Ltd, which was worth $60 million in 1995 when he sold it.
Although they have been unable to discover Oak Island’s big treasure, Lagina’s brothers have found many interesting items in The Pit, such as a 1652 Maravedis Spanish coin, human bones, and a jewelry piece made of Rhodolite Garnet.
Dan Blankenship died in 2019 at 95 years old. He was the former owner of Oak Island and spent around 50 years leading excavations on it.
The mystery of Oak Island has been called a fraud by detractors of the show, though Rick Lagina has defended his family from these accusations: ‘when people say it’s a hoax, you scam someone and then run off; that’s not what’s happening on Oak Island. You don’t perpetrate a hoax through your family. The same families come back to it over and over again because they believe.’
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