Joe Giudice has revealed how much his ex-wife Teresa Giudice was paid to appear as a cast member on Real Housewives of New Jersey season one.
The 53-year-old father-of-four was a guest on the latest episode of daughter Gia Giudice’s podcast Casual Chaos, where he opened up about his time on the Bravo reality TV show.
Joe — who is vying for a pardon from President Donald Trump — shared that his then-wife earned a measly $25,000 when the show premiered in 2009.
‘We got paid nothing the first season. I’ll even say… it was like $25,000. I mean, it was ridiculous, but whatever,’ the former TV star said.
The contractor added that the couple actually spent more money than they made as they hosted lavish soirees while on camera.
‘I think the first year, we had that big party in my great room,’ he recalled. ‘I think that show cost me $150,000 the first year.’
Joe Giudice, 53, has revealed how much his ex-wife Teresa Giudice, 53, was paid to appear as a cast member on Real Housewives of New Jersey season one
The father-of-four was a guest on the latest episode of daughter Gia Giudice’s (second from left) podcast Casual Chaos, where he opened up about his time on the Bravo reality TV show
During their conversation Gia conveyed that Housewives typically ‘don’t get paid that much money’ during inaugural seasons.
She noted that the salary ‘grows as the seasons go on.’
Gia, who now stars on the network’s Next Gen NYC spinoff show, added: ‘When you’re throwing parties and stuff like that, especially for the first season, you’re putting in more money than you’re actually getting out of it.
She clarified, ‘So then obviously, you grow and make your way and make your name. But for the first season when you’re obviously trying to… this wasn’t anything out of the norm.’
And the reality television personality said that, while they were together, her parents ‘loved’ to host parties.
‘I didn’t care,’ Joe agreed. ‘I mean, every weekend, I had people at my house.’
Joe also unpacked a regrettable moment that aired during his stint on the TV show, alluding to the time he was filmed calling Teresa a ‘b*tch’ and ‘c**t.’
‘The one up where we were at the vignette or something. I called your mother something. I know it wasn’t very nice,’ he acknowledged. ‘That was just out of pure, you know, drinking wine and enough was enough.’
The Italian-bred star emphasized, ‘I don’t even use that word. I hate that word. Why it came out of my mouth, I have no idea.’
Joe shared on Monday’s episode that his then-wife earned a measly $25,000 when the show premiered in 2009
‘We got paid nothing the first season. I’ll even say… it was like $25,000. I mean, it was ridiculous, but whatever,’ the former TV star said; pictured with Teresa in 2009
Joe and Teresa each served prison time after being convicted of fraud; pictured in 2014
Exes Joe and Teresa share Gia, 24, Gabriella, 20, Milania, 19, and Audriana, 16 in September.
They former spouses each served time behind bars for financial fraud.
Following his completed prison sentence in 2019, Joe was deported to Italy. That same year the couple announced their separation.
And they finalized their divorce in September 2020.
Teresa found love again with Luis ‘Louie’ Ruelas, whom she wed in 2022.
During the Casual Chaos episode featuring her father, Gia asked if there was any chance of a rekindling between her parents if her mom and stepdad were ever to split up.
He answered: ‘I mean, listen — you can never say “never.”‘
