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Dina Manzo on Visiting Teresa Giudice in Prison: “She’ll Let Me Know When She Wants Me”

Dina Manzo and Teresa Giudice
Dina Manzo told Watch What Happens Live that she'd be open to visiting Teresa Giudice in prison if that's what "she wanted"; plus, see what she said about hope for her relationship with sister Caroline Manzo

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Dina Manzo and Teresa Giudice have been through their share of ups and downs in the past, but with Giudice now preparing to serve a 15-month prison term for fraud, Manzo is recommitting herself to their bond. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Sunday, Oct. 26, the recently returned Real Housewives of New Jersey star pledged to be there for her pal in whatever way she's needed.

Related: PHOTOS: Before they were Real Housewives

Asked whether she planned to visit Giudice at FCI Danbury — the federal correctional institution that inspired Orange Is the New Black — Manzo told host Andy Cohen, "[I'll do] whatever she wants." That could mean visiting early and often, or not at all, if Giudice decides she needs space.

"Even when this all first happened, I didn't run to her house," Manzo explained of their friendship. "I think she should be with her family. I just stand back, and she'll let me know when she wants me."

Related: PHOTOS: Remember these former Housewives

She clarified, though, that they're in touch frequently. "More than ever, actually," she told Cohen. "[Teresa is] strong as hell. And she's really with her daughters 24/7. She's taking this very seriously."

As is Manzo herself. "I have no words for the outcome of the Giudice sentence," the mom to Lexi Manzo wrote in a blog post for Bravo after Teresa and her husband Joe Giudice learned their fates. "All I can say is if you're doing anything other than sending this family some love right now, you need to really rethink that. No matter what your opinion, there are children and elderly parents involved." 

Related: PHOTOS: Biggest Housewives fights ever

Manzo also spoke with Cohen on Sunday night about her own family, including estranged sister (and Manzo'd With Children star) Caroline Manzo, and sister-in-law/frenemy Jacqueline Laurita. Questioned about whether there might be some resolution to her ongoing feud with Caroline in the future, the reality star conceded, "Yeah, she's my sister." 

Laurita, on the other hand, is just her "brother's wife." Things are still as icy as ever between the Housewives — so much so that Laurita actually tweeted at WWHL on Sunday to dispute something Manzo had said on the air.

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