- Antonia Gorga was the celebrity mother of Teresa Giudice, a famous American television personality recognized for The Real Housewives of New Jersey
- She was married to Giacinto Gorga with whom she had two children and at least 7 grandchildren
- Gorga passed away from pneumonia when she was 66 years old in March 2017, and her husband also died from heart disease 3 years after her
As Teresa Giudice’s mother, Antonia Gorga, an Italian immigrant, became a household name. Up to her passing in March 2017, she had countless media references thanks to her daughter’s successful entertainment career.
When Teresa first arrived in the United States, she and her husband had a pretty rough start. However, when her daughter eventually rose to fame, she began to enjoy all the rights and privileges befitting a celebrity mother.
7 Lesser Known Facts About Antonia Gorga
1. She was Born in October 1951
In Italy, Antonia Gorga was born in October 1951. There are no records of her early years or family history other than her birthdate. But reputable sources assert that before moving to the US, she was a resident of Sala Consilina in Campania.
2. Her Marriage and Coming to America
The records that are readily available show that Teresa’s mother wed her love, Giacinto Gorga on December 27, 1969. After only a few months of marriage, the couple believed that a better life was waiting for them in America. On October 13, 1971, Antonia and Giacinto bravely abandoned their life in Italy and traveled to the United States in search of the American Dream without knowing a word of English.
Her spouse was hired as a dishwashing assistant at the Mona Lisa, a tiny eatery in West Paterson, after coming to America. They subsequently gave birth to Teresa on May 18, 1972, and had their second child, Giuseppe on August 21, 1979. All their kids were born in Paterson, New Jersey. More so, she has at least 7 grandchildren.
3. Her Daughter is a Popular Actress
Antonia Gorga’s daughter Teresa Giudice is a popular television personality best known for starring as the main cast in The Real Housewives of New Jersey since its first season in 2021. Besides appearing on the show, Giudice wrote multiple New York Times bestseller cookbooks and was featured on Donald Trump’s The Celebrity Apprentice 5 (2012).
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4. Gorga’s Daughter Has Experienced Numerous Legal Issues
Antonia’s celebrity daughter, Teresa has faced many legal troubles since she rose to stardom. In a 39-count indictment filed on July 29, 2013, Teresa and her ex-husband Joe Giudice were accused of conspiring to commit bank, wire, and mail fraud, as well as bankruptcy fraud and making false representations on loan applications.
Later, Teresa received a term of 15 months in a federal prison, whilst Joe received a sentence of 41 months, followed by the possibility of deportation to Italy. In order for one parent to be able to be with their children, Teresa and Joe’s sentences were allowed to be staggered. On January 5, 2015, she started her sentence.
5. Antonia Gorga was a Devout Roman Catholic
The celebrity mother was a devout catholic and she raised all her children in line with the Catholic faith. Her daughter Teresa previously tweeted about being a proud catholic while she was serving her prison sentence. According to her, she kept the faith throughout her 15 months sentence and prayed to God to help her reconnect with her loved ones.
6. She Died of Pneumonia
As stated earlier, Antonia died on 3 March 2017 aged 66. According to people.com, the celebrity mother passed on after a long battle with pneumonia. Her death has been hard on her kids and especially Teresa who admitted that it would be difficult to adjust to being without her dear mother. On the day she was buried, several balloons were released in her honor.
Similarly, Antonia’s husband passed away three years after her on April 3, 2020. Giacinto battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other heart-related issues before passing away.
7. Antonia Gorga’s Children Regularly Share Moments they Spent Together on Social Media
Teresa and Joe were very close with their mother while she was still alive. While the vacuum of her death still lingers, they have taken it upon themselves to commemorate their special family times. More so, they celebrate each of her wedding anniversaries as well as her posthumous birthdays.
