Teresa Giudice has a new address: the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star reported to the prison slightly a head of schedule, before 3 a.m. on Monday morning, to begin serving out her 15-month sentence for bankruptcy fraud. The hit reality show's longest-serving cast member left her Montville Township manse just after midnight with her attorney, James J. Leonard Jr., in tow.
"I think she was anxious to get in, get this thing started, get it behind her, and get back to her family," Leonard told ABC. "Her four girls are her primary focus."
And it certainly seems that her children have inherited some of their mom's fighting spirit. Teresa's eldest daughter, 13-year-old Gia, took to Twitter to share some thoughts as her mom left the family home to begin her time behind bars.
"Support system is unreal," the aspiring pop star posted with a growing heart emoji and #soblessed. She also retweeted a message from her 3KT bandmate Cristianna Cardinale.
"The 2 strongest girls I know and nothing's gonna change that," Cardinale gushed alongside a casual snap of herself with Gia and Teresa (and, we assume Cardinale's own mother).
But no matter how strong the table-flipping 42-year-old is, there's no doubt that this is a stressful and sad time for all of her loved ones. In order to prepare for prison, Teresa communicated with other recently released female prisoners from the Danbury institution. According to her lawyer, she was advised to be "friendly but guarded" and to cherish her precious moments with her family. "They told her to keep her head up, that she would make it through," he added.
She may be able to see her husband and daughters as soon as this coming weekend. Still, we're sure that doesn't seem nearly soon enough.
When Teresa completes her 15-month sentence, her husband Joe Giudice will begin his 41-month sentence. They were allowed to serve separately so that one parent can remain at home with the children at all times. Even when his time is over, however, their troubles may not be. Because he is not an American citizen, Joe could face deportation upon his release.
For now, though, both Teresa and her family seem to be keeping it together.
"She was ready," Leonard explained in a statement to local media before quickly adding, "Teresa is a very strong woman. She won't have any problems in there."
