Teresa Giudice Maintains Bonds with Former Prison Friends

Teresa Giudice, the star of *The Real Housewives of New Jersey*, has revealed that she remains in contact with three women she met while serving her prison sentence. During a recent appearance on the podcast “The Viall Files” on September 24, 2025, Giudice, aged 53, shared insights into her relationships with these friends, despite some initial tensions during her incarceration.

Giudice, who completed an 11-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution-Danbury after pleading guilty to multiple fraud charges, described her experience in prison. “Everyone was really nice to me,” she stated, although she acknowledged encountering a few individuals who were less friendly. “I mean, listen, there were a few girls that would give me a dirty look. And I was like, ‘Really, you don’t want to do that.’” Despite these moments, she maintained that her overall experience was positive, stating, “I was friendly with everyone.”

Her connections with former inmates continue to thrive. Giudice mentioned, “I still keep in touch with three of them,” emphasizing that she recently had lunch with two of her friends from prison. This enduring friendship highlights how relationships can evolve even in difficult circumstances.

Legal Troubles and Family Support

Giudice served time after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, alongside several counts of bankruptcy fraud. In total, she faced significant legal challenges, resulting in her initial release from prison in December 2015. The Giudices filed for bankruptcy in 2009, citing debts of $11 million, and faced criminal charges in 2014. Their tumultuous relationship reached another turning point when Teresa filed for divorce from Joe Giudice in 2019, finalizing the process in September 2020.

In the face of these challenges, Teresa has shown support for her ex-husband, Joe Giudice, who was deported to Italy after serving his own prison sentence. In a heartfelt Instagram message, Joe appealed to former President Donald Trump for a pardon, expressing his desire to visit their daughters. Teresa commented on his post, conveying her support with a simple heart emoji. Their daughter, Gia Giudice, also expressed her love for her father in a separate message.

Reflecting on their past, Teresa admitted on Gia’s podcast “Casual Chaos” that she initially perceived the charges against them as a joke. “When it all happened, I didn’t know. I thought it was all a joke,” she explained. She contrasted her experience with Joe’s, acknowledging the severity of their legal troubles.

Life After Incarceration

Since her release, Teresa has focused on rebuilding her life and career. She has openly discussed her time in prison, even mentioning that she enjoyed the food and often cooked for herself. “Prison food was ‘so good’,” she said, emphasizing that her experience helped her grow.

Giudice’s journey illustrates the complexities of navigating personal relationships and public scrutiny after facing significant legal issues. As she continues to foster friendships from her past, Teresa Giudice remains a prominent figure in the entertainment world, balancing her family responsibilities and her career in reality television.