# Teresa Giudice
**Teresa Giudice** (born Teresa Gorga, 1972) is an American television personality, author, and original cast member of Bravo's reality series *The Real Housewives of New Jersey*, on which she has appeared since the show's 2009 premiere across its 14-season run.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3404373/) • [2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) She is also a New York Times bestselling author of four cookbooks and two memoirs, and her 2009 bankruptcy filing, 2014 federal fraud conviction, and 11-month prison sentence were documented on the series itself.[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice) • [2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) • [4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | Teresa Gorga, 1972, Paterson, New Jersey, to Italian immigrant parents Giacinto and Antonia Gorga[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3404373/) • [5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/) |
| RHONJ tenure | Original cast member since the 2009 premiere; 249 credited episodes spanning 2009–2024; returning for season 15[2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3404373/) |
| Federal sentence | 15 months in prison, two years supervised release, $414,588 forfeiture, $8,000 fine, imposed October 2, 2014[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html) |
| Prison term | Reported to the Bureau of Prisons on January 5, 2015; served 11 months[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html) • [2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) |
| Books | Four New York Times bestselling cookbooks; memoir *Turning the Tables* reached #2 on the New York Times list in 2016[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice) |
| Marriages | Married Joe Giudice in 2001 (four daughters; divorced 2020); married Luis Ruelas on August 6, 2022[5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/) • [2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3404373/) |
## Early life and background
Giudice was born Teresa Gorga in [Paterson, New Jersey](https://www.edgepedia.org/paterson-new-jersey), to Italian immigrant parents Giacinto and Antonia Gorga.[5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/) She earned a degree in Fashion Marketing and [Management](https://www.edgepedia.org/management) from Berkeley College and worked as an accessories buyer for Macy's in New York before her television career.[5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/) In 2001 she married childhood friend and businessman Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice, with whom she had four children.[5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/)
## The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Giudice has starred on *The Real Housewives of New Jersey* since the start of its 14-season run, making her the franchise's longest-serving original cast member.[2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) IMDb credits her with 249 episodes spanning 2009 to 2024, plus the spin-offs *The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip* and *Teresa Checks In* (2015).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3404373/)
**The legal case on screen.** Season six, aired in 2014, captured the fallout from the July 2013 federal indictment; the Giudices entered their plea deal in March 2014, and cameras resumed on the morning of Teresa's release from prison to begin season seven.[2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) Joe's deportation to Italy played out on season 10.[2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/)
## Business ventures and publications
Bravo identifies Giudice as a New York Times bestselling author of four cookbooks: *Skinny Italian*, *Fabulicious!*, *Fabulicious! Fast & Fit*, and *Fabulicious! On the Grill*.[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice) Her cookbook *Skinny Italian: Eat It and Enjoy It: Live La Bella Vita and Look Great, Too!* (2010) became a New York Times bestseller, with tabloid publicity helping boost sales.[5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/) Her 2016 memoir, *Turning the Tables*, hit the New York Times list at #2.[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice) Her second memoir, *Standing Strong*, chronicles her life since her release from prison, including her parents' hospitalizations for severe medical issues in late 2016 and her mother's death in 2017.[6](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Standing-Strong/Teresa-Giudice/9781501179945)
In 2012 she joined the cast of NBC's *Celebrity Apprentice* alongside [Clay Aiken](https://www.edgepedia.org/clay-aiken), Adam Carolla, and [Cheryl Tiegs](https://www.edgepedia.org/cheryl-tiegs), raising $70,000 for the charity NephCure, a cause she has long supported, and she became a certified yoga instructor.[5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/) • [3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice) She is co-host of the "Namaste Bitches" podcast.[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice)
## Legal and financial difficulties
**Bankruptcy.** On October 29, 2009, the Giudices filed a petition for individual Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newark; reporting at the time put their liabilities at $8.7 million, including $20,000 owed to stores such as [Bloomingdale's](https://www.edgepedia.org/bloomingdales) and [Neiman Marcus](https://www.edgepedia.org/neiman-marcus).[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html) • [5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/) According to the Justice Department, they concealed businesses they owned, income from a rental property, and Teresa's true income from the television show, website sales, and appearances.[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html)
**Indictment and pleas.** In July 2013 a federal grand jury charged the couple with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, and making false statements.[7](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Indictment%20News%20Release.html) In March 2014, before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, a count carrying a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and to three bankruptcy fraud counts, each carrying a maximum of five years and a $250,000 fine; they also admitted bank fraud and loan application fraud in obtaining loans from several banks.[8](https://www.fdicoig.gov/news/investigations-press-releases/real-housewives-new-jersey-stars-plead-guilty-conspiracy) Teresa Giudice's plea agreement required her to pay $200,000 to the government at the time of sentencing.[8](https://www.fdicoig.gov/news/investigations-press-releases/real-housewives-new-jersey-stars-plead-guilty-conspiracy)
**Sentencing.** On October 2, 2014, Judge Salas sentenced Teresa Giudice, then 42, to 15 months in prison and Joe Giudice, then 44, to 41 months.[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html) Each received two years of supervised release, the couple was ordered to forfeit $414,588, and the fines were $8,000 for Teresa and $10,000 for Joe.[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html) Teresa Giudice reported to the Bureau of Prisons on January 5, 2015, and served 11 months.[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html) • [2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) Joe Giudice was deported to Italy after his sentence, leaving the country in 2019, and the couple divorced in 2020.[2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/)
## Personal life
Giudice married Joe Giudice in 2001 and had four children with him; after his 2019 deportation the marriage ended in divorce in 2020.[5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/) • [2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) She married Luis "Louie" Ruelas on August 6, 2022, in a widely covered wedding ceremony.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3404373/) • [3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice) Her parents' hospitalizations in late 2016 preceded her mother's death in 2017, events she wrote about in *Standing Strong*.[6](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Standing-Strong/Teresa-Giudice/9781501179945) She has since reconciled with her brother Joe Gorga and sister-in-law [Melissa Gorga](https://www.edgepedia.org/melissa-gorga).[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice)
## By the numbers
- **Tenure:** 14 seasons as an original cast member, 249 credited episodes from 2009 to 2024, with season 15 having entered production.[2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3404373/)
- **Sentences:** 15 months for Teresa, 41 months for Joe, both with two years of supervised release.[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html)
- **Money ordered paid or forfeited:** $414,588 forfeiture jointly, $8,000 fine for Teresa, $10,000 fine for Joe, and a $200,000 payment to the government under Teresa's plea agreement.[4](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html) • [8](https://www.fdicoig.gov/news/investigations-press-releases/real-housewives-new-jersey-stars-plead-guilty-conspiracy)
- **Bankruptcy liabilities:** a reported $8.7 million in the 2009 filing.[5](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/)
- **Bestseller placements:** #2 on the New York Times list for *Turning the Tables* (2016).[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice)
- **Charity total:** $70,000 raised for NephCure on *Celebrity Apprentice* in 2012.[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice)
## What has changed since 2023
Season 15 of *The Real Housewives of New Jersey* entered production after a two-year hiatus, with Giudice returning alongside Melissa Gorga.[2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) She discussed her fraud case and incarceration on *The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20s*, a nine-episode milestone season marking the 20-year anniversary of the Real Housewives franchise, streaming on Peacock.[2](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/) She continues as co-host of the "Namaste Bitches" podcast.[3](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice)
## References
1. [IMDb – Teresa Giudice](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3404373/)
2. [The Hollywood Reporter – Teresa Giudice Finally Talks Fraud](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teresa-giudice-talks-fraud-prison-rhonj-bravo-1236661747/)
3. [Bravo – Teresa Giudice official cast biography](https://www.bravotv.com/people/teresa-giudice)
4. [US Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey – Giudice sentencing press release](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Sentencing%20PR.html)
5. [TV Insider – Teresa Giudice profile](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/teresa-giudice/)
6. [Simon & Schuster – Standing Strong](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Standing-Strong/Teresa-Giudice/9781501179945)
7. [US Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey – Indictment news release](https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nj/Press/files/Giudice,%20Giuseppe%20and%20Teresa%20Indictment%20News%20Release.html)
8. [FDIC OIG – 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Stars Plead Guilty to Conspiracy, Bankruptcy Fraud and Tax Offenses](https://www.fdicoig.gov/news/investigations-press-releases/real-housewives-new-jersey-stars-plead-guilty-conspiracy)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Reality television personalities and media celebrities › Docuseries and ensemble cast members › Shore and lifestyle ensemble cast › The Real Housewives cast members*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license