Teresa Giudice on coping with her husband Joe's deportation: 'I have to stay strong'

By Michael Rothman

Reality star Teresa Giudice is finally speaking out after it was announced last month that her husband Joe will be deported to Italy after he finishes his stint in federal prison for bankruptcy fraud.

"It's heartbreaking," she said Tuesday on "Good Morning America," adding that her daughters "are really upset."

"Adults can handle anything. It's hard for children to go through this," she said.

Joe is trying to stay "very positive" through this ordeal, she noted.

Joe Giudice pleaded guilty in 2014 to bankruptcy fraud and failing to pay taxes on $200,000 worth of income, and is scheduled to be released from prison in March 2019. Teresa also served nearly a year in prison after pleading guilty to submitting false loan applications when she applied for a $5 million mortgage.

Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images, FILE

Teresa Giudice and Joe Giudice appear at Mount Airy Resort Casino for a book signing and meet and greet in this March 5, 2016 file photo in Mount Pocono City.

Teresa Giudice said the family is appealing the court's ruling to deport Joe.

"I never thought I'd be in this position," Giudice said. "I have to stay strong. I have four beautiful daughters and they need their mommy."

Since the deportation news, Teresa has taken to social media, posting that she is "taking it one day at a time" while putting her focus and energy on her children, including looking at colleges with oldest daughter Gia, who has been very outspoken about her father's ordeal.

"My father is no threat to society he is one of the most warm hearted people I know, he would never harm a soul," she said on social media.

View this post on Instagram

This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my dad?? my father is no threat to society he is one of the most warm hearted people I know, he would never harm a soul. He puts everyone else before himself. I know who my father is and I think many of you do too. My father did his time and learned from his mistakes. Isn’t being in there supposed to make you realize your mistakes so you can become a better person? And that’s exactly what my father did. He hasn’t felt or looked this good since he was in his 30’s. We have so many plans to do as a family when he gets out. I need my father to be here. My father belongs with us and his entire family. My father came into this country when he was one years old, the United States is the only country he knows, spread the word #bringjoehome

A post shared by Gia Giudice (@_giagiudice) on Oct 14, 2018 at 6:14pm PDT

"She's like the rock of her sisters, she's helping me explain things to them," Teresa Giudice said of Gia.

Joe and Teresa's 13-year-old daughter, Milania, has also spoken out, saying the family isn't "done fighting yet."

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My dad , who is the best dad in the world, needs to come home. We aren’t done fighting dad. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t imagine another day without you. We are gonna do everything we can to fight this daddy!! I love you with all my heart buddy??????????#heartbroken????

A post shared by milania_giudice (@milania_giudice356) on Oct 14, 2018 at 8:43am PDT

"My dad, who is the best dad in the world, needs to come home. We aren’t done fighting dad. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t imagine another day without you. We are gonna do everything we can to fight this daddy!! I love you with all my heart buddy #heartbroken," she wrote.

When asked why she is still a part of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," Teresa Giudice simply said, "This is how I make a living, I have four daughters to raise. I'm doing it all by myself."