Alex Lagina: Engineer, Oak Island Star, Family Man & His Real Life Story Explained

Admin December 18, 2025

0 14 8 minutes read

Alex Lagina has become one of the most recognizable faces on The Curse of Oak Island, the long-running History Channel series revolving around one of the world’s greatest treasure mysteries. As the son of engineer and entrepreneur Marty Lagina, Alex has grown into a vital figure in the multi-decade exploration project, combining engineering skills with a calm, analytical presence. Over the years, his importance to the Oak Island team has steadily increased, making him one of the younger leaders of the operation. Beyond the mystery-filled world of Oak Island, Alex has also built a solid career in business, renewable energy, and winemaking. Fans remain deeply interested in his personal life—especially his marriage to Katherine Sneed, his rumored connection to Miriam Amirault, and the truth behind his significant net worth. This detailed biography explores his early life, education, engineering background, Oak Island involvement, discoveries, relationships, public image, and the legacy he is shaping.

Table of Contents

Profile Bio: Alex Lagina

Personal Detail	Information
Full Name	Alex Lagina
Birth Date	May 21, 1987
Age (2025)	37 Years Old
Birthplace	Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White / Caucasian
Profession	Engineer, Businessman, TV Personality
Famous For	The Curse of Oak Island
Father	Marty Lagina
Mother	Margaret Olivia Lagina
Sister	Maddie Lagina
Wife	Katherine Sneed (Married Feb 3, 2024)
Rumored Partner	Miriam Amirault (Unconfirmed Fan Speculation)
Education	BSc Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
Height	5 ft 7 in – 5 ft 10 in
Net Worth (2025)	Estimated $10 Million
Residence	Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Early Life & Background

Alex Lagina was born on May 21, 1987, in Traverse City, Michigan, into a family strongly tied to engineering, business, and adventure. His father, Marty Lagina, is an engineer, energy entrepreneur, and the principal cast member of The Curse of Oak Island. His mother, Margaret Olivia Lagina, is a geological engineer known for her calm, intellectual influence on the family. Alex grew up alongside his sister, Maddie Lagina, in a household that balanced academic discipline with a spirit of curiosity and exploration. His uncle Rick Lagina, whose fascination with Oak Island began in the 1960s after reading a Reader’s Digest article, was a huge influence on Alex’s childhood. Family gatherings were filled with conversations about engineering projects, renewable energy, unusual artifacts, and the mysterious stories surrounding Oak Island. These early discussions created a foundation for Alex’s curiosity and eventually shaped his passion for history, problem-solving, and treasure-hunting discovery.

Education — Engineering Foundation Behind His Career

University of Michigan — Mechanical Engineering Journey

Alex pursued his higher education at the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. During his academic journey, he studied subjects that unexpectedly aligned perfectly with his future role on Oak Island. These included geology, drilling mechanics, structural engineering, soil behavior, mapping systems, and environmental engineering. His degree gave him strong technical expertise—skills that later made him valuable in analyzing tunnel structures, solving flooding issues, evaluating drilling strategies, and guiding technical excavation work. His engineering background also helped him approach Oak Island exploration with discipline, scientific thinking, and careful risk assessment.

Early Career — Before Oak Island

Joining the Family Energy Business (Heritage Sustainable Energy)

Before entering television, Alex began his professional life at Heritage Sustainable Energy, the renewable energy company founded by his father. He worked on engineering projects involving wind turbine installations, environment-friendly power systems, and various technical operations. His role involved both fieldwork and management, giving him real-world experience in tackling major engineering challenges.

Role in Terra Energy (Family Legacy)

The Lagina family’s entrepreneurial journey began with Terra Energy, an oil and gas exploration company founded by Marty. The company was sold for $60 million, helping fund the family’s investments in new ventures—including the early phases of Oak Island exploration. Alex grew up observing the discipline, planning, and innovation that helped his father become a successful entrepreneur, later applying these values to his own career.

Oak Island Journey — How Alex Became the Face of the New Generation

First Appearance in 2014

Alex first appeared on The Curse of Oak Island in 2014 during Season 1. At that time, his role was minor—he observed discussions, reviewed maps, and occasionally joined excavations. Fans initially described him as a calm and quiet presence, someone still learning the ropes of the complex treasure hunt.

Rise to Leadership (2016–2020)

By Season 4 (2016), Alex’s role began expanding. He started participating more actively in field operations, engineering assessments, and War Room strategy sessions. As Marty and Craig Tester balanced multiple responsibilities, Alex took on more decision-making tasks, gradually becoming a prominent voice within the team. Many viewers interpreted this shift as grooming him to eventually lead the Oak Island operation as Rick and Marty aged.

Challenges Alex Faced

Throughout his journey, Alex faced several challenges:

Flooding complications in the Money Pit
Booby traps believed to be built by early treasure protectors
Engineering miscalculations during drilling and shaft planning
Fan criticism, especially during high-pressure seasons
Responsibility pressure, as the likely future leader of the operation

Despite these challenges, Alex maintained his calm demeanor and continued contributing valuable insights.

Major Discoveries & Contributions on Oak Island

Over the years, Alex has participated in several important discoveries:

Musket Ball Discovery (Season 9)
Suggested possible conflict or activity between the 1500s and 1800s.
Copper Coin Discovery (Season 4)
Dated to the late 1600s–early 1700s, connecting Oak Island to early colonial history.
Square Spike Discovery (2024)
Identified as 18th-century blast furnace–smelted iron, supporting theories of previously undocumented settlement.
Coconut Fiber Searches
He actively helped analyze coconut fiber found on the beaches—one of the earliest clues linking Oak Island to pre-1800s activity.
Engineering in the Money Pit
Alex contributed to designing reinforced cylinders for safe excavation, addressing collapse dangers and constant flooding.

These discoveries strengthened Oak Island theories about hidden structures, unrecorded settlements, and possible treasure activity.

Marriage, Wife & Relationship Timeline

Rumored Relationship With Miriam Amirault

For years, fans speculated about Alex’s connection to archaeologist Miriam Amirault. Their on-screen chemistry, friendly interactions, and joint fieldwork fueled rumors of a romance. However, these theories were untrue. At the time, Alex was in a committed long-term relationship with Katherine Sneed, and there was no romantic involvement with Miriam.

The Truth — Marriage to Katherine Sneed (2024)

Alex Lagina married Katherine Sneed on February 3, 2024, in a beautiful ceremony in Coral Gables, Florida. Katherine, a communications professional and influencer from Traverse City, had been dating Alex for several years. Their wedding generated massive buzz among Oak Island fans, who celebrated the news with memes and humorous comments, joking that Alex had “finally found his real treasure.” The elegant ceremony featured classic attire, meaningful vows, and a guest list filled with family and close friends.

About His Wife — Who Is Katherine (Sneed) Lagina?

Katherine Lagina (formerly Sneed) is a talented communications specialist and senior corporate communicator at Hagerty, an automotive lifestyle and insurance company based in Traverse City, Michigan. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Design and Visual Communications from the University of Miami, where she was active in Delta Gamma and on the university dance team. She also volunteered extensively at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Katherine maintains a polished social media presence, combining fashion content, lifestyle updates, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her life with Alex. Her intelligence, creativity, and professionalism complement Alex’s analytical personality.

Business Ventures Beyond Oak Island

Villa Mari Vineyards — General Manager

Beyond treasure hunting, Alex plays a major role in the family business, Mari Vineyards, a high-end winery known for blending traditional techniques with modern innovation. His responsibilities include operations management, branding oversight, quality control, and engaging with tourists—many of whom visit because of the family’s Oak Island fame.

Renewable Energy Projects

Alex continues supporting Heritage Sustainable Energy by assisting with wind farm technology and environmentally responsible energy production across Michigan.

Partnerships & Brand Deals

In 2023, Alex began collaborating with Samsung Electronics through paid partnerships, reflecting his expanding presence outside Oak Island and business activities.

TV Career — Complete Show List

Alex has appeared in:

176+ episodes of The Curse of Oak Island (2014–2025)
28+ episodes of The Curse of Oak Island: Drilling Down (2017–2024)
10 episodes of The Curse of Civil War Gold (2019)

He has also worked behind the scenes as an associate producer on multiple seasons, contributing to production planning and research.

Height, Age, Appearance & Personality

As of 2025, Alex Lagina is 37 years old, generally reported to stand between 5’7″ and 5’10″. Fans describe him as calm, serious, analytical, and quietly confident. His personality blends engineering precision with deep curiosity—qualities essential to the Oak Island search.

Net Worth — A Realistic Estimate

Alex Lagina has an estimated net worth of $10 million, earned from:

Reality TV contracts
Mari Vineyards management
Renewable energy projects
Oak Island Tours
Producer credits
Brand partnerships

His father Marty’s net worth (estimated around $100 million) also contributes to the family’s wealth and ventures.

Public Image & Media Attention

Fans admire Alex for his intelligence, calm demeanor, and loyalty to his family. Critics sometimes question his on-screen involvement or speculate about scripted elements, but he remains respected for his professionalism. His wedding sparked playful viral memes, and discussions on Reddit frequently highlight his leadership growth and fan theories.

Controversies, Rumors & Fan Theories

Popular rumors include:

Claims that Alex had died — false
Theories that some Oak Island scenes were staged
Viral comparisons to William Phips, a 17th-century treasure hunter
Relationship rumors with Miriam Amirault

Alex rarely comments on speculation, maintaining a private and dignified public image.

Current Life & Future Plans (2025)

As Rick and Marty age, Alex is widely viewed as the future leader of the Oak Island operation. He works closely with younger team members like Peter Fornetti, manages Mari Vineyards, and continues exploring new opportunities in directing, producing, and brand collaborations. Married life with Katherine marks a new chapter, blending family commitments with his growing responsibilities.

Conclusion

Alex Lagina’s journey reflects the evolution of a young engineer into a central figure in one of the world’s most fascinating televised treasure hunts. From his Michigan upbringing to his engineering achievements, from quiet early cameos to major leadership roles on The Curse of Oak Island, Alex has carved a meaningful place in the Lagina family legacy. Today, he stands poised to one day lead the Oak Island exploration, continue the vineyard’s growth, expand business ventures, and explore new creative avenues—all while embracing married life with Katherine. His story is a powerful example of dedication, curiosity, and the enduring pull of history’s greatest mysteries.

FAQs About Alex Lagina

1. Who is Alex Lagina?

Alex Lagina is an American engineer, businessman, and TV personality best known for appearing on The Curse of Oak Island alongside his father Marty and uncle Rick Lagina.

2. Is Alex Lagina married?

Yes. Alex Lagina married Katherine Sneed (now Katherine Lagina) on February 3, 2024, in Coral Gables, Florida.

3. What does Alex Lagina do for a living?

Alex works as a treasure hunter on The Curse of Oak Island, manages Mari Vineyards, and is involved in his family’s renewable energy business, Heritage Sustainable Energy.

4. What is Alex Lagina’s net worth?

Alex Lagina has an estimated net worth of around $10 million, earned through TV appearances, business ventures, and engineering work.

5. What are Alex Lagina’s major discoveries on Oak Island?

Alex has helped uncover items such as a musket ball, a copper coin, and an 18th-century square spike, contributing to theories about early activity on Oak Island.