Joe Giudice Reveals Teresa’s Shocking ‘RHONJ’ Season 1 Sa…
Entrepreneur and former reality star Joe Giudice disclosed that his ex-wife Teresa earned just $25,000 for her first season on The Real Housewives of New Jersey — and claimed that he ended up losing money due to the surprisingly low pay.
On the Monday, August 18 episode of daughter Gia Giudice’s Casual Chaos podcast, Joe, 53, talked about the beginnings of The Real Housewives and explained how his ex-wife, 53, got involved with the show. The exes are parents to four daughters: Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana.
“Did you guys ever have a conversation with us about being on TV? I don’t really remember,” his daughter asked on the podcast.
“I don’t think so,” replied Joe, mentioning that he felt like everything became a “big blur” once the show’s contract was signed. “I think the first year, we had that big party in my great room,” he said, adding, “I think that show cost me $150,000 the first year.”
He admitted that the Real Housewives franchise wasn’t as well-known back then, with only The Real Housewives of Orange County having aired.
Gia, 24, noted that it’s typical for Bravo’s Real Housewives stars to start with a low paycheck in their first season, gradually building both their public profile and earnings as the show goes on. The Next Gen NYC star also pointed out that maintaining the glamorous Housewives lifestyle can actually be more expensive than what new cast members earn in their first season.
Throughout the podcast, the father and daughter duo looked back on their time on RHONJ: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Joe shared on the podcast that he “regrets” allowing his and Teresa’s legal issues to be shown on television, saying he believes their involvement with the show ultimately made them a target.
In October 2014, Teresa and Joe pleaded guilty to mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud. Teresa was sentenced to 15 months but served 11, while Joe started his 41-month sentence in March 2016 and was released three years later. Since he never became a U.S. citizen, he was ordered to be deported to Italy, where he was born.
The couple split in 2019 and finalized their divorce in 2020. Teresa has since married Luis Ruelas, while Joe maintains a quiet relationship with a woman named Margie.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey premiered its first season on Bravo on May 12, 2009. The series is currently on pause following the conclusion of Season 14 in August 2024.