Plus, learn what Gabriella Giudice plans to study while attending the University of Michigan.
Tt was a bittersweet day in the Giudice household as Gabriella Giudice packed for Michigan on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
In Season 14, Episode 3, mama bear Teresa Giudice helped her second of four daughters prepare to fly the nest. As previously reported by The Daily Dish, 19-year-old Gabriella was accepted to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor — some 600 miles from Teresa and Luis “Louie" Ruelas’ Montville mansion.
In case audiences wondered how Gabriella could afford to do her studies so far away, Teresa explained it all:
Is Joe Giudice helping with college costs?
According to Teresa, her ex-husband Joe Giudice — the father of the four girls — is not helping pay for Gabriella’s schooling.
“Joe’s not helping,” Teresa explained to producers. “He can’t right now. Joe’s still trying to get his life together in the Bahamas. But it’s OK. I’m thankful that I can pay for it.”
When asked whether her new husband, Louie, was helping pay for college, Teresa simply answered, “yes.”
Joe, Teresa's husband featured on earlier RHONJ seasons, was deported from the United States before making the Bahamas his home so that he could remain close to their four daughters, he previously explained on Teresa’s Namaste B$tches podcast.
In the recent episode, he joined Teresa, Gabriella, Gia Giudice, and Audriana Guidice on a video call to celebrate (and cry) over Gabriella’s heading off to college.
“I’ve been crying all morning,” Gia told her father. “This is the worst day ever.”
“It’s not the worst day ever; she’s happy,” said Teresa.
While the family was sad to see Gabriella go, an emotional Teresa noted how “amazing” it was that Gabriella was next to attend college after Gia graduated from Rutgers University. Louie also joined the conversation, greeting Joe with a smile.
“It’s a sad day, but it’s a good day as well,” said Joe.
Gia agreed, telling her younger sister how she really felt about her moving.
“No, seriously, I’m so proud of you; the University of Michigan is such a huge accomplishment,” Gia said. “You should be so proud of yourself.”
What's Gabriella Giudice's college majpr?
Joe told Gabriella, “The sky is the limit,” and it sounded like Gabriella already had a plan.
“I’m excited,” said Gabriella. “I’m taking an economics course for a semester. So, I’m excited to learn about that because that’s what I’m planning on majoring in.”
“She’s gonna handle your finances, Dad,” Gia called out with a smile. “She’ll make sure everything’s stored away.”
“That’s what I’ll do,” Gabriella added. “I can handle people’s money.”
A moving company arrived to help Gabriella pack her things into moving trucks, with the help of Louie’s son, Louie Jr. Even when still on the phone with Joe, the father questioned if Gabriella had packed “everything” for the journey, which included stacks of boxes and racks of clothes.
“You know, out of all my daughters, Gabriella is the one who wants to spread her wings, and I can see her living in another country,” Teresa said. “So, this is the beginning of her leaving, and I don’t know if she will come home when she graduates.”
Gia returned home after earning her degree in criminal justice. She previously said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that she hoped to attend law school and pursue her dream of becoming an immigration attorney.
As for Gabriella, Teresa said she was “totally fine” with Gabriella not coming straight back to the Garden State because she planned to visit her in the near future.
“But I need to cherish every single moment that I have with her,” Teresa continued to producers.
After seeing the moving truck off — with plans for Gabriella to move three days later — Teresa called the day “bittersweet.”
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