Teresa Giudice and her brother Joe Gorga have been tangled in a bitter family feud for years. Their drama has played out for everyone to see on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
The siblings have often said there’s no way back for them. Fans have wondered if they’d ever repair their bond, but it always seemed unlikely.
In a twist, Teresa recently said she’s open to making peace with Joe, which is a huge shift from her earlier “absolutely not” stance. The 53-year-old reality star denied rumors she’s only reaching out to save her RHONJ job. She explained that getting older and wanting to set a good example for her daughters influenced her.
The path forward is murky, though. Teresa says her door is “cracked open,” but Melissa Gorga insists the door is closed on reconciling.

This unexpected turn has people buzzing. Fans and cast members are debating whether the Giudice-Gorga feud might finally end.
Key Takeaways
- Teresa Giudice now says she’s open to making peace with Joe Gorga after years of refusing.
- She denies that job security on RHONJ is behind her change of heart.
- Melissa Gorga still doesn’t want to reconcile, even with Teresa’s new outlook.
Teresa Giudice’s Relationship With Joe Gorga: Where Do They Stand?
Teresa and Joe Gorga are still estranged after years of family drama on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Recent interviews show Teresa cracking the door open for reconciliation, but she’s also said she’d never reconcile with Joe at other times.
History of Their Family Feud
The Giudice-Gorga conflict has been a central storyline on RHONJ for over a decade. Things really took off when Melissa joined the show as Joe’s wife.
The siblings’ relationship broke down multiple times. Most of the issues circled around family loyalty and accusations between Teresa and Melissa.

By RHONJ Season 14, their feud reached a boiling point. The cast split so badly that Bravo paused the show after a non-traditional reunion in August 2024.
During that reunion, Teresa and Joe cut ties. They all agreed they’d never see eye to eye and were just better off apart.
Recent Statements and Public Appearances
Teresa’s comments about reconciliation have been all over the place lately. In March 2025, she flat-out said she’d never reconcile with Joe and Melissa.
But by September, her tone softened. On “Jeff Lewis Live” with her daughter Gia, Teresa told listeners “never say never” about coexisting with Joe and Melissa.
Key quotes from the interview:
- Teresa: “Never say never”
- Gia: “I think everyone can coexist. Just put your big-girl panties on and be mature”
Gia said viewers want to see some kind of resolution after all these years. She pointed out that both sides would have to agree to let old issues go.

Teresa wouldn’t commit to starting the conversation herself. When pressed, she just said, “We’ll see what happens.”
Speculation Around Reconciliation Motives
Why the sudden shift from Teresa? There are a few theories. The show’s pause has left RHONJ’s future up in the air.
Bravo has been test-filming with some cast members like Melissa, Margaret Josephs, and Dolores Catania. Teresa hasn’t been involved in those test shoots.
Her husband Luis Ruelas could be nudging her, too. Teresa’s also said the chapter’s closed with Joe and Melissa, so maybe she just wants to move on.
Potential motivations include:
- Wanting to return to RHONJ
- Pressure from her kids
- Personal growth or just wanting some peace
- Managing how the public sees her
The timing of her hints about making up lines up with all the talk about RHONJ’s future cast.
Media Reactions and the Broader Impact on Real Housewives of New Jersey
The idea of Teresa and Joe making up has caught a lot of media attention. Entertainment outlets are digging into how their family tension shaped the show and cast relationships over the years.
Responses From Melissa Gorga and the Extended Family
Melissa hasn’t held back about the unfortunate dynamic with Teresa. She even admitted they don’t look at each other during filming.

The wider Gorga family mostly supports Joe’s side. Some relatives have posted on social media backing Joe, especially when Teresa skipped his wedding.
Key family responses include:
- Public statements defending Joe’s choices
- Social media posts showing unity with Melissa
- Not much public comment on possible reconciliation
Melissa says any real peace talks would have to get to the root of their issues. She thinks the family dynamic changed forever after the wedding incident.
Influence on RHONJ Production and Cast Dynamics
The Giudice-Gorga feud has really shaped how RHONJ is made. Teresa recently called the show “toxic” and said she’s relieved it’s on pause.
Production challenges included:
- Separate filming schedules for the feuding family
- Hardly any group scenes with both sides
- Family drama overshadowing other storylines
Teresa admitted it’s been “annoying being on RHONJ with Gorgas” for the last decade. Producers had to build episodes around this conflict.
Other cast members often felt stuck in the middle. The feud split up old friendships within the RHONJ group.
Coverage Across Podcasts and Talk Shows
Major entertainment media can’t get enough of this family mess. It pops up on reality TV podcasts and big talk shows all the time.
Media coverage highlights:
- Jeff Lewis Live debates about family loyalty
- Live with Kelly and Mark segments on reality TV drama
- Lots of podcast deep dives into the timeline
Kelly Ripa and other hosts bring up the feud when talking about reality TV families. It’s become a case study on how personal drama can mess with TV production.
Entertainment reporters have even looked at the money side for Teresa and Joe. All this coverage keeps them in the spotlight, even with the show on pause.
Frequently Asked Questions
The feud between Teresa Giudice and Joe Gorga has put a huge strain on their family and shaped The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Lately, there are signs they might be open to reconciliation, but both seem hesitant to make a move.
What led to the conflict between Teresa Giudice and Joe Gorga?
Their conflict comes from a bunch of issues that built up over years on RHONJ. Things got tense when Joe married Melissa in 2004, and it got worse after Melissa joined the show in 2011.
Teresa blames Melissa for driving a wedge between her and Joe. She thinks Melissa has caused a lot of their problems.
The family feud has unfolded for everyone to see on Bravo. Personal disagreements and on-screen fights have only made things messier.
Have Teresa Giudice and Joe Gorga resolved their familial issues?
No, Teresa and Joe haven’t worked things out. Teresa has said she’ll “never” reconcile with Joe and Melissa.
The two aren’t speaking. Their estrangement has dragged on with no real progress.
Teresa has pretty much closed the door on making up with Joe and Melissa. She’s made it clear she doesn’t see a way forward.
What are the latest updates on Teresa Giudice’s relationship with her brother?
Teresa recently cracked the door open for possible reconciliation during a September 2025 interview. When asked if she could coexist with Joe and Melissa, she said, “never say never.”
Her daughter Gia thinks everyone could get along if they just “put on their big-girl panties and be mature.” Gia says both sides have to let go of old grudges.
Teresa shot down claims that she’s reaching out just to keep her RHONJ job. She insists her comments aren’t about work.
How has the Giudice-Gorga family dynamic changed over time?
The Giudice-Gorga family started out as close siblings, but over the years, that bond has really unraveled. Personal conflicts spilled out into the open, especially once reality TV entered the picture.
Teresa and Joe once had what you’d call a pretty standard brother-sister relationship. But when Melissa joined the family—and then the show—things got a bit more complicated.
Now, their feud has dragged on for years. Those warm family gatherings they used to have? Pretty much a thing of the past.
What steps have Teresa and Joe Gorga taken towards reconciliation?
Lately, Teresa and Joe Gorga have barely moved the needle on reconciliation. Teresa did try to clear up her comments about being open to patching things up with Joe and Melissa, which sounded hopeful for a minute.
But then Melissa called Teresa’s peace offering “strange” and basically said the door’s shut. Ouch.
Honestly, nobody’s really made a solid move to fix things. Both sides seem stuck, waiting for the other to take the first step—and who knows if that’ll ever happen.
Can fans expect to see Teresa Giudice and Joe Gorga together in future family events?
Honestly, fans probably shouldn’t count on spotting Teresa Giudice and Joe Gorga at the same family events anytime soon. Their estrangement feels pretty solid right now, so joint appearances just aren’t on the horizon.
The siblings barely talk, and they don’t really show up at the same gatherings anymore. Sure, their kids still keep in touch, but the adults? They’re keeping their distance.
If they ever do show up together again, something big will have to change between them. Both would need to actually want to move on from all the old drama—and let’s be real, that’s a tall order.