News
HIPPIE MOM
Oct 29 2012 07:44 PM EST
Photo Caption: Jesse Sylvia's family includes his father and two sisters – as well as his mother Marlene (pictured second from right). They are sitting at ringside of tonight's final table championship.
When WSOP Main Event finalist and early chip leader Jesse Sylvia was interviewed prior to taking his seat in poker's most thrilling game, he gave much of the credit for the man he has become to his proud parents.
In particular, he thanked his mother – Marlene Distefano, who Sylvia described as his “hippie mom.”
Distefano lives on Martha's Vineyard, the iconic island off the coast of Massachusetts where son Jesse grew up and still frequents. She owns and operates a small flower shop. She also has designed a clothing line, along with Sylvia's sister. But poker was the only thing on "Hippie Mom's" mind on this evening.
“It's pretty unreal. I mean, I never expected this,” Distefano said as sat thirty feet away from her son at the final table. “It's like a fantasy.”
As might be expected with Sylvia's proud parents, tonight's results will have little impact on the pride the feel for being able to watch their son realize his poker dream.
“It doesn't matter what happens, he's still our winner,” Distefano said. “We are so proud of him. He is living his dream. That's all any parent can hope for when they raise a child.”
