Teresa Giudice is leaning on family after her daughter Milania Giudice’s childhood friend Victoria Zardoya died in a tragic accident.
“She just lost her best friend,” Teresa, 54, exclusively told Us at the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip 20th Anniversary Event on Tuesday, August 4, while speaking out about how Milania, 20, is coping with grief in the wake of Zardoya’s death. “It’s devastating.”
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star added, “I want everybody to pray for the family.”
News broke on July 24 that Zardoya died after suffering a fatal fall while exploring the ruins of Fort Dade during a trip to Egmont Key, an island off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida. She was 20.
Us confirmed on July 29 that Zardoya’s autopsy had been delayed due to the status of her as an organ donor.
Zardoya was a childhood friend of Milania, who was a college student at the University of Tampa alongside the New Jersey native.
While Milania wasn’t on the trip where Zardoya died, both she and her family members have shared heartfelt tributes about the young woman detailing how much she meant to them.
“My Victoria. My best friend. My sister. My soulmate. My partner in crime,” Milania wrote via Instagram on Saturday, August 1. “There are no words in any language that could ever describe losing you. I still wait for your name to pop up on my phone, I still expect to hear your laugh, and I still catch myself wanting to tell you something. My heart keeps forgetting what my mind already knows.”
Milania, who is one of Teresa and ex-husband Joe Giudice’s four daughters, revealed that she and Zardoya had been friends since they were 4 years old.
“I promise I will keep telling your stories,” Milania added. “I will stand beside [your twin sister] Alexandra and your family forever. Forever my best friend. Forever my sister. Forever my Victoria.”
Teresa also penned a heartfelt tribute to Zardoya, calling her “sweet” and “beautiful.”
“This just doesn’t seem real. You were like a daughter to me and an incredible built-in best friend and sister to Milania,” the Bravo star wrote via Instagram on Saturday. “I watched the two of you grow up into such beautiful young women, and seeing you both follow your dreams at the University of Tampa warmed my heart because I always knew she had you by her side.”
Teresa concluded, “I love you so much sweet angel. Heaven gained one of the most beautiful souls, and I know you’ll be watching over all of us. You will be loved, missed, and remembered forever.”
Milania has since debuted new ink honoring Zardoya, getting “Baby V” tattooed on her wrist.
Teresa, who is one of the stars of the upcoming Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th, revealed that she is focused on her loved ones more than ever these days.
She told Us her dynamic with sister-in-law Melissa Gorga has made a complete turnaround.
“How we are now is how we always were before the whole fame thing happened,” Teresa revealed, confirming that the pair had made amends after their years-long feud.
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When it comes to what fans can expect from the new season of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, Teresa teased special moments with friends who’ve become family.
“I had so much fun with all the girls, and we really, you know, built a sisterhood and like always being there for each other,” she said of the cast dynamic.
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th premieres on Bravo Sunday, August 9, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
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