
Ever since her husband Joe Giudice’s prison sentence, ICE confinement, and subsequent deportation, rumors about the famed Real Housewives of New Jersey star dating had been rampant. She was spotted with different men and even posted one on her Instagram back on Dec. 22, 2020. Fans though, were left in the dark on this man’s identity, until Teresa posted a sweet image of the two with the caption “Enjoying some LA vibes with my man”, tagging Louie Ruelas, an entrepreneur from New York. Here’s what we know about their relationship so far.
Teresa’s ex-husband
Both Teresa and her ex-husband Joe served jail time for bankruptcy fraud, which eventually led to their divorce. Teresa began her 15-month sentence in January 2015, ultimately only serving 12 months. Joe began his 41-month sentence in March 2016. After completion, he was then sent to an ICE detention center in March 2019, as he was born in Italy, and had never become a legal US citizen. In October 2019, he left the detention center for Italy while trying to still appeal his case. His third appeal was denied in April 2020. Since then he has and will continue to remain in Italy.
A trail of hints
First off, Teresa has probably kept major details of her relationship a secret from the public so she could share them on the upcoming season of Real Housewives of New Jersey, and have rebuilding trust after her September 2020 divorce from Joe as her major storyline. However, even before revealing his identity, Teresa had been dropping hints she was dating and even shared on her Facebook account to fans in November 2020 that she was excited to reveal her new “boyfriend.”
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Early stages
The relationship is fairly new, as Teresa revealed on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in November. As the two have both been previously married and have children, it is safe to say they’re taking things slow for the sake of their children. This is especially the case for Teresa’s children — Gia, Gabriella, Milania and Audriana — with the divorce and separation between their parents being so public and assumedly, traumatic.
Joe and Teresa seem to be on good terms, however. The couple speak regularly as seen on the last season of Real Housewives of New Jersey, and with the two divorced and living in separate countries, it was inevitable that the two would start to date other people. Joe has also reported dating around, and while he doesn’t post pictures with new flames like his ex-wife, he is extremely active on Instagram, posting videos of himself doing various things in Italy. The videos are pretty entertaining, if I do say so myself.
Teresa’s had a rough couple of years, and we can’t wait to see this new chapter in her life unfold in real-time, and on Real Housewives.

Samantha is a student at Boston University studying television writing and producing originally from Philadelphia, PA. She's passionate about comedy, reality TV, and Diet Coke.