RHONJ: Joe's bikini party in Mexico was turning point for marriage to Teresa Giudice

Chris Jordan, Asbury Park Press
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Joe Giudice's romp with bikini clad girls in Mexico was the final straw for “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice.

The Giudices spoke about the end of their marriage on the Dec. 14 episode of Teresa's “Namaste B$tches” podcast.

“Didn't you go to Mexico and you were hanging out with a whole bunch of girls in G-strings?” Teresa asked Joe. “That was already starting so I was like, 'This is not going to happen. I'm not going to be one of those women who are going to deal with that (blank). I'm not going to do that.' ”

Joe's Mexico party took place two months after a separation from Teresa, and it made headlines in early 2020. The Giudices agreed to terms of their divorce in September 2020.

“That was the icing on the cake,” said Joe of his trip. “It was embarrassing for me and my kids honestly. I'm so embarrassed, but whatever. It happens. It's over.”

Teresa and Joe Giudice in happier times.
Teresa and Joe Giudice in happier times.

The couple had served sentences in federal prison for multiple fraud convictions. Teresa served 11 months. After she got out in December 2015, Joe began his 41-month sentence for the same crimes in March 2016. An immigration court deported Joe back to his native Italy after his release.

The couple said that the Joe who viewers saw on “Real Housewives” was not the Joe of real life.

“Everyone thought how could this woman be with this man that treated her this way,” Teresa said. “Joe always treated me great. If he didn't teat me well, I wouldn't have been with him, vice versa.”

More:Teresa Giudice & Luis Ruelas marry in East Brunswick. Here's the 'Jersey Shore' connection

Joe did not enjoy filming the series.

“Looking back now, I kind of regret it because the way he acted on the show with me. It wasn't my husband,” Teresa said. “That wasn't they way he acted when the cameras weren't rolling. He didn't want to film so he would stay aggravated and take that out on me on camera. Afterward when they would leave, you don't even act like that! Everyone's going to think you're this mean guy and you're so not like that.”

Teresa Giudice and her husband, Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice, leave the Federal Courthouse in Newark in 2013 after being charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications, and bankruptcy fraud.
Teresa Giudice and her husband, Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice, leave the Federal Courthouse in Newark in 2013 after being charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications, and bankruptcy fraud.

More:RHONJ reunion: Teresa Giudice fiance Louie Ruelas admits to police calls, job firing

Blame it on the cameras, alcohol and fights.

“Everybody looks at being on a show as glamorous, whatever, but they actually put you under a lot of stress,” Joe said. “It kind of takes your focus off of what you actually do. They want you to drink and they want you to fight, that's all they want you to do. They want you to fight. I don't think people want to watch you fight all the time. You should have fun with it once in a while.”

Joe is living in the Bahamas and working in the construction field, he said. He and Teresa, who now lives in Montville with new husband Luis Ruelas, have four daughters, Gia, 21; Gabriella, 18; Milania, 16; and Audriana,13.

Season 13 of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” is expected to begin in early 2023.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: RHONJ: Joe's bikini party in Mexico ended marriage to Teresa Giudice