Profile Text
Birth Name: Catherine Marie Cortez
Place of Birth: Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Date of Birth: March 29, 1964
Ethnicity: * father – Mexican * mother – Italian/Sicilian
Catherine Cortez Masto is an American attorney and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served as a U.S. Senator from Nevada, since January 3, 2017. She was previously Attorney General of Nevada, from January 1, 2007 to January 5, 2015, and Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, from January 3, 2019 to January 28, 2021.
Catherine is the daughter of Joanna and Manny Cortez. Her father was born in Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and was head of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, as well as a Clark County Commissioner, and attorney for the county. Catherine is married to Paul Masto, who was in the U.S. Secret Service. She is Catholic.
Catherine’s paternal grandfather was named Eduardo/Edward Cortez. Eduardo emigrated from Chihuahua, Mexico to Nevada.
Catherine’s paternal grandmother was named Mary Tapia.
Catherine’s maternal grandfather was Lawrence John “Larry” Musso (the son of Luciano Musso and Jennie Fermaturo). Lawrence was born in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. Luciano was born in Trapani, Sicily, the son of Ignazio/John Musso and Francesca. Jennie was born in Kansas City, the daughter of Maria C. Bianchino.
Catherine’s maternal grandmother was Katherine M. Balestrere (the daughter of James/Giralomo Balestrere and Josephine Falcone). Katherine was born in Missouri. James Balestrere was born in Palermo, Province of Palermo, Sicily, Italy, and was considered to be a gang boss and powerful member of the Kansas City crime family, one of the town’s “Five Iron Men.” He was the son of Frank Balestrere and Caterina Brunetta. Catherine’s great-grandmother Josephine was born in Missouri, the daughter of Italian parents, Angelo Falcone and Maria.
Sources: Genealogy of Catherine Cortez Masto – https://www.geni.com
Genealogies of Catherine’s maternal grandparents, Lawrence John “Larry” Musso and Katherine M. (Balestrere) Musso – https://www.findagrave.com