Teresa Giudice is speaking out after video footage surfaced of a tense exchange between the Real Housewives of New Jersey star and her daughter Milania Giudice at an airport.
“As a mother, there is nothing more important to me than the health, safety, and well-being of my children,” Teresa, 54, began in a statement shared via her Instagram Stories on Monday, September 28.
“The past few months have been incredibly difficult for our family, and I feel it is important to say something while also protecting my daughter during an extremely vulnerable time in her life,” she added, noting that Milania, 20, has “experienced tremendous heartbreak and significant psychological trauma” following the loss of her childhood friend Victoria Zardoya, who died of a traumatic brain injury at age 20 following an accidental fall at the Fort Dade historic ruins in Florida in July.
“Grief affects everyone differently, and watching your child try to process that kind of loss is something no parent can ever truly prepare for,” Teresa continued. “Right now, my only focus is my daughter — making sure she is surrounded by love, family, support, and the care she needs.”
Teresa added that she understands that fans will naturally have “questions and speculation” regarding the alleged incident. However, she says she remains focused on her daughter Milania and helping her navigate her ongoing grief.
“Milania is my daughter before she is anything else. She is a young woman going through an incredibly difficult and deeply personal time, and she deserves the opportunity to heal without every moment of her pain being analyzed publicly,” Teresa wrote. “I am asking, from one mother to another, and from one family to all of you, to please show Milania compassion and kindness and allow her the privacy she needs right now.”
Teresa concluded, “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has reached out with love, prayers, and support. It means more to our family than you know. At this time, we respectfully ask the media and the public to give Milania and our entire family the privacy and space we need as we navigate this together. Thank you for your understanding, your compassion, and most importantly, for respecting my daughter during this difficult time.”
Teresa’s statement comes less than one week after TMZ reported that Milania had posted and quickly deleted a video of herself during what looked to be a heated exchange with her mom and sister Gia, 25, at the Tampa International Airport on Wednesday, September 23.
Milania’s rep, Marina DeSantis, told TMZ on Thursday, September 24, that the reality star is receiving professional support following the alleged incident.
“She is currently surrounded by people who love her and is under the care of professionals who are working with her and her family,” DeSantis’ statement read. “Milania is deeply loved by her family and friends, and all of us are doing everything we can to support her as she navigates an incredibly difficult time in her life, particularly following the devastating loss of her best friend, Victoria [Zardoya].”
The statement continued, “Milania is a good-hearted and caring young woman who has been going through a very challenging period, and our focus right now is simply on her health, healing and well-being. In time, she hopes that being open about her experiences may help other young people facing their own struggles, but for now, we ask for compassion and privacy as she and her family continue to navigate this together.”
Milania’s father, Joe Giudice, addressed the airport incident in a statement on Thursday, calling her a “good girl” with a “big heart” who is “going through a very difficult period right now.”
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