Years before she married Luis “Louie” Ruelas or sent her daughters Gia Giudice or Gabriella Giudice to college, Teresa Giudice spent some time in prison.
Back in 2014, The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member and her first husband, Joe Giudice, pled guilty to bank, mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud. Both Teresa and Joe served out prison sentences, though the then-spouses were able to stagger them so one parent could always be present for their four daughters.
How Long Was Teresa Giudice in Prison For?
Following her guilty plea, the mom of four was sentenced to 15 months in prison. However, Teresa was only actually behind bars in Danbury, Connecticut for 11 months.
Teresa returned home shortly before Christmas, on December 23, 2015. Her emotional homecoming was captured by the RHONJ cameras, and fans can refresh themselves on the tender moment when Teresa reunited with her daughters by streaming the Season 7 premiere on Peacock.
Teresa Giudice Cooked in Prison, and Started Doing Yoga
While she was serving her sentence at the Federal Correctional Institute in Danbury, Teresa continued cooking.
“I have to say, the food was really good,” she said during an appearance on the Hollywood Raw podcast in early 2024 about the food offering. “And I actually cooked there also because I’m a cook.”
Prison was also the place where Teresa developed her passion for yoga.
“When I went to jail, that’s when I started doing yoga,” she revealed during a March 2023 interview with Reality Blurb. “I just had to get my mind space clear because I was really upset that I was taken away from my daughters. So that’s when I started doing it… And when I came out of jail, I got certified in yoga because I loved it so much.”
When the weather got warm, Teresa would meditate and do yoga outside.
“I was at a camp facility, so we were able to go outside. And that’s one thing I have to say, the grounds were so beautiful… and I would find a place and [meditate] there…” she added. “When it was spring and summer, [I’d meditate] in the grass.”
