August 2, 2025 — New Jersey
A wave of sorrow has swept through the Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ) fan community, as Teresa Giudice — the longtime face of the Bravo franchise — announced the passing of her beloved grandmother, Nonna Maria, over the weekend. She was 92.

The heartbreaking news was shared by Teresa herself on Sunday morning via Instagram. In a touching black-and-white photo of her grandmother in her youth, Teresa wrote:

“My heart is shattered today. You were my light, my peace in every storm. Thank you for your love, your lessons, and your faith in me. I love you forever. Rest peacefully, my sweet Nonna.”

 

 

 

 

👵 A Guiding Matriarch in Teresa’s Life

For loyal RHONJ viewers, Teresa’s grandmother was a quiet but meaningful presence throughout the show’s run. Teresa often spoke about her “Nonna” with reverence — as the woman who taught her how to cook, how to love, and how to live with fierce loyalty and warmth.

According to close family friends, Nonna Maria passed peacefully in her sleep at her home in Paterson, New Jersey, early Saturday morning. She had been experiencing age-related health decline in recent months, but her passing still came as a surprise to the family.

“Nonna was more than a grandmother to Teresa — she was a second mother. She practically raised her. Their bond was one of unconditional love and respect,” a close source shared.

🕯️ RHONJ Cast Mourns Alongside Teresa

Within hours of Teresa’s post, her RHONJ co-stars — past and present — responded with heartfelt condolences:

• Melissa Gorga, Teresa’s sister-in-law:
  

  “We may not always agree, but today my heart is with Teresa and her family. Her Nonna was a beautiful soul. May she rest in peace.”

• Dolores Catania:
  

  “I know how much she meant to you. What a strong woman with such a gentle heart. Sending you love, Teresa.”

• Margaret Josephs:
  

  “Losing a grandmother is like losing a piece of your childhood. I’m sending prayers and strength to you and the girls.”

Even Andy Cohen, the longtime face of Bravo and host of RHONJ reunions, posted a tribute, saying:

“Nonna Maria may not have been front and center on Bravo, but she shaped one of the strongest women on our screens. Rest easy.”

 

 

 

💬 Fans Flood Social Media with Tributes

Within 24 hours, Teresa’s post had garnered more than 1 million likes and over 75,000 comments from fans around the world.

“She was everyone’s grandmother — warm, wise, and full of love.”
“This reminds me of losing my own Nonna. Sending you love and strength.”
“You always lit up when you spoke about her. May her legacy live on through you.”

Clips of Teresa cooking with her grandmother, or tearing up while speaking about her during confessional interviews, resurfaced across TikTok and Instagram. One video of Teresa saying, “Baking with Nonna is like being hugged with food,” was shared over 30,000 times in just a few hours.

🍝 Keeper of Family Traditions

Nonna Maria was the heart of the Giudice family kitchen — something RHONJ fans know well. From lasagna and braciole to traditional Easter pies, many of Teresa’s now-famous recipes were handed down from her grandmother.

“She didn’t just teach me to cook. She taught me to love my family through food,” Teresa once said in an interview.

In her bestselling memoir, Turning the Tables, Teresa devoted an entire chapter to her grandmother, calling her “the root of everything good in my life.”

⚱️ Funeral Plans and Honoring Her Memory

According to family representatives, a private funeral service will be held later this week in New Jersey, attended by close relatives and a few select friends — including members of the RHONJ cast.

In a statement, Teresa also announced her plans to launch a small initiative in her grandmother’s name:
“Nonna’s Table” — a charitable program supporting Italian-American senior women and single mothers in need.

“She gave so much to all of us. Now it’s my turn to pass that spirit on,” Teresa wrote.

🕯️ A Loss Felt Deeply

For many fans, Teresa’s relationship with her grandmother was one of the most sincere parts of RHONJ — a reminder of real family love beneath the drama and luxury.

In a throwback reunion clip now circulating online, Teresa once said:

“No matter how messy life gets, I always know where home is — with my Nonna, at the kitchen table, pasta in hand.”

Today, that kitchen table feels a little emptier. But the love shared across generations lives on.

❤️ In Loving Memory

In a world of reality TV noise, Nonna Maria was a quiet, grounding force — off camera but always present in spirit.

She reminded us that no matter how big the house or how loud the argument, what truly matters is who waits for you at home with open arms and a warm plate.

As Teresa said best:

“She was my comfort, my calm, my reminder to slow down. She always said, ‘In food, in family, in faith — you’ll find your peace.’”

🕊️ Rest in peace, Nonna Maria. You were loved by many — and you will never be forgotten.