Gia Giudice has nothing but pride in her father Joe Giudice.
Speaking to PEOPLE about navigating growing up in the spotlight, Gia also offers an update on her father, who was deported in 2019 after serving a 41-month prison sentence for fraud. Although he initially returned to his native Italy, the 51-year-old now lives in the Bahamas.
“WhatsApp is our best friend. FaceTime is too. But honestly we see it as often as we can,” The Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 22, tells PEOPLE, referring to her three younger sisters, Gabriella, 19, Milania, 17, and Audriana, 14. “We’re doing our best, and he’s amazing.”
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Gia — who currently works a day job in marketing, is pursuing a career in influence and studying for her LSAT after graduating with a degree in criminal justice — says she’s “so happy” that her father found his passions in the Bahamas.
Gia Giudice and her dad Joe Giudice. Gia Giudice/Instagram ‘RHONJ’: Teresa prays ‘every day’ for ex Joe to come back to US and knows he’ll ‘always be in my life’
“He loves the Bahamas. It’s honestly a lot more Americanized than people think. It’s really the closest you can get to the US,” she explains, noting that her father works for a construction company and oversees operations. “He makes sure all the workers are doing what they’re supposed to be doing, he corrects them if they’re doing something wrong. So he’s basically back to doing what he loves to do and what he’s so good at.”
“He also has a rental business that he runs on the side,” she explains. “I’m so happy that he was able to find his niche again because it’s definitely not easy. And being deported somewhere and having to start from scratch is definitely not easy for anyone. But he’s really grown up so much and he’s really happy. So I think he’s that’s the most a daughter can ask for from her dad. As long as he’s happy, I’m happy.”
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That happiness extends to Joe’s personal life, which Gia says includes a new girlfriend.
“He was with that girl for quite a long time,” she says. “They seem really happy and she’s great. I really like her a lot. So yeah, I’d love to meet her family and see what happens… I’m sure at some point my mom [Teresa Giudice] and Louie [Ruelas] I’ll meet my dad’s girlfriend and we’ll have a big blended family.”
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And while Gia wishes her dad lived closer, she admits she also finds a good thing in his current abode.
“The Bahamas is a beautiful place,” she notes. “You can’t be so mad that it’s our second home! … But yeah, he’s doing really well. So we’re happy.”
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Gia Giudice.
kyle braylen photo/@kylebraylen
Joe and ex-wife Teresa spent time in prison after being indicted on federal fraud charges in 2013. After serving 41 months in prison, Joe was deported to his native Italy in 2019, despite having lived in the United States all his life.
The couple subsequently separated and have been divorced since 2020. Joe then moved to the Bahamas, where his daughters take turns visiting him.
Gia comes often, and the last time she was there was at the end of last month. She told PEOPLE she intends to visit Joe again for Thanksgiving with her sisters. Also, she often posts about her father on social networks.
Teresa Giudice says co-parenting with ex Joe Giudice has been ‘great’: ‘My kids are really happy’
In May, during another visit, she celebrated Joe’s birthday with a sweet tribute post on Instagram.
“Happy birthday to the best dad and King of the Bahamas 👑 I’m so grateful to be able to spend my birthday with you!” she wrote. “thank you for always showing your girls endless love and support! you never fail to make me laugh and put the biggest smile on my face! live another year of health and happiness, I love you with all my heart❤️❤️”
Teresa has also been open about her relationship with Joe, revealing it in the previous episode RHONJ that he will “continue to pray every day that I hope that one day you will be able to come back here.”
“Thank you, Tre,” Joe said over the phone. “I’m glad you’re happy and things are going the way they are, and I appreciate everything you’re doing there for my kids because, you know, I can’t be there, and everyone deserves to be happy and as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters .”
“Joe wishing me luck just shows how far we’ve come,” Teresa later explained. “I’m so proud of how we’ve continued our relationship, stayed connected. And I know it makes our daughters happy. He’ll always be in my life.”
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The Real Housewives of New Jersey can be downloaded in its entirety on Peacock.
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Source: HIS Education