Joe Giudice is taking a stroll down memory lane.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum recently reflected on his family’s early days on reality TV and revealed the surprisingly modest amount of money ex-wife Teresa Giudice was allegedly paid for season one of the hit Bravo series.
“They would not leave us alone, they were calling every day for a year,” Joe recounted alongside daughter Gia Giudice on the Aug. 18 episode of her Casual Chaos podcast. “Once we signed, it was kind of like a big blur after that.”
Looking back, Joe now believes he actually spent more cash filming season one, which premiered in 2009, than Teresa made during her debut season.
“I think the first year we had that big party in my great room,” the 53-year-old—who also shares daughters Gabriella, 20, Milania, 19, and Audriana, 15, with the Skinny Italian author—reflected. “I think that show cost me $150,000 the first year.”
As for Teresa’s season one salary, Joe revealed, “We got paid nothing the first season. I’ll even say, it was like $25,000. It was ridiculous. But, whatever.”
Gia, now 24, echoed, “You’re putting in more money than you’re actually getting out of it. Then obviously you grow and make your way and make your name.”
As for how Joe—an Italian citizen—is doing after being deported from the United States in 2019 following a prison sentence for fraud, he still hopes to one day return to be closer to his family.
In fact, Gia recently made a public plea to President Donald Trump asking for her dad’s legal return to America in the wake of Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley‘s pardons.
“My dad was deported over four years ago,” Gia said in a July 4 Instagram video. “Since then, my family has lived in an emotional limbo. No matter how strong we try to be, the absence of a father, of a parent, is something that never stops hurting.”
“Watching the Chrisley family receive a second chance inspired me,” the Next Gen NYC star continued. “It showed me that people can be forgiven, that families can be restored and that sometimes the justice system has room for grace. That gave me hope. Hope that maybe my dad could come home, too.”
RHONJ is currently on hiatus. But in the meantime, keep reading to see where Teresa falls on E!’s official ranking of every Housewife ever.
164-167. The Real Housewives of D.C.
Bravo’s ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation’s capital brought together four women so forgettable you’d be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.
163. Kimberly Bryant, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Who?
162. Tammy Knickerbocker, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Vaguely familiar, but…
161. DeShawn Snow, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.
160. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, The Real Housewives of Orange County
This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.
159. Jennie Nguyen, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Utah’s newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after “offensive” and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.
158. Quinn Fry, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Her defining trait was “cougar.”
157. Jen Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Orange County
The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows’ insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.
156: Annemarie Wiley, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The nurse anesthetist’s flop first season can be summed up in one cringe-worthy word we hope we never hear again: Esophagus-gate.
155. Katie Rost, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but…didn’t do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.
154. Charrisse Jackson Jordan, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife…that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.
153. Shamari DeVoe, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?
152. Peggy Sulahian, The Real Housewives of Orange County
While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn’t understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn’t really cut out for this Real Housewives life.
151. Nneka Ihim, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Instead of bonding with fellow Nigerian costar Wendy Osefo during season eight, Nneka’s first season storyline centered entirely around her allegedly accusing Wendy’s mom of being a witch (yes, seriously). We wish we could have seen the two bond over their shared culture rather than fighting with no resolve.
150. Noella Bergener, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we’ll warm up to Mrs. Bergener.
149. Siggy Flicker, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we’re not sure we’ve ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one.
148. Amber Marchese, RHONJ
Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look.
147. Karent Sierra, The Real Housewives of Miami
All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next!
146. Cristy Rice,The Real Housewives of Miami
This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.
145. Jules Wainstein, The Real Housewives of New York City
As one of RHONY‘s more recent one-and-dones, Jules’ tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama.
143-144. Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano, RHONJ
So unnecessary they couldn’t even get individual taglines.
142. Nina Ali, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Much like co-star Sara Al Madani, Nina exemplified a multidimensional, successful Arab woman who is blending modern life with centuries-old cultural traditions. She avoided most of the season one drama and was sometimes overshadowed by her co-stars’ bigger, louder personalities.
141. Taleen Marie, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Taleen was a nice addition to RHODubai‘s sophomore season, but we only have one season to judge her on.
140. Eva Marcille, RHOA
The America’s Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though.
139. Katie Ginella, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Per usual, we typically need to see more than one season to place a first-time Housewife higher on our list. But Katie came in swinging during RHOC‘s 18th season, immediately going up against veteran Housewife Heather Dubrow. It takes a brave woman to call B.S. on Ms. Fancypants.
138. Stephanie Shojaee, The Real Housewives of Miami
We’ll be honest: Stephanie is not our cup of tea. While her vast wealth had the makings of a great Housewife, the fact that she continuously used her private jet as leverage to hold power over her new costars during season seven left an icky raste in our mouth.
Maybe Steph can redeem herself if she returns for season eight.
137. Sara Al Madani, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Sara’s positive, enlightened outlook on life was certainly pleasant, but didn’t provide for much drama (besides that one time she offered co-star Caroline Brooks some not-so-well received parenting advice). However, the tech entrepreneur shattered stereotypes of what it means to be a modern Muslim woman in the Middle East and for that we applaud her.
135-136. Rachel Fuda & Danielle Cabral, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
RHONJ‘s season 13 newbies certainly fit the mold of your typical Garden State Housewife and quickly found themselves in a season-long fight over literally nothing that Andy Cohen deemed pointless at the reunion. The former friends unfortunately didn’t bring much more substance during season 14.
134. Larsa Pippen, The Real Housewives of Miami
Larsa didn’t make a big impression on season one before leaving the series. When Peacock revived RHOM for season four in 2021, her whole storyline was about being the ex-BFF of Kim Kardashian. (and selling sexy feet pics on OnlyFans…)
133. Ana Quincoces, The Real Housewives of Miami
Ana followed up her one season as a Bravolebrity by competing on season 12 of Next Food Network Star in 2016. She didn’t make it there, either.
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family)
