Teresa Giudice Posts Heartbreaking Tribute To Her Father

Teresa Giudice, the Jersey girl who's forever a Real Housewife even after losing the hubby, may not be the easiest person in the world to get along with. She's pissed off her soon-to-be-ex-husband Joe, famously feuded with her brother Joe Gorga and his wife Melissa, and famously flipped a table while fighting with costar Danielle Staub (who she's since made peace with).

You know who Teresa Guidice was never on the outs with? Her dear old Papa Giacinto. Teresa dearly loved Mamma Antonia as well, but her mother sadly passed away at just 66 years of age in 2017. Three years later, Giacinto Gorga has also died, leaving both Teresa and her brother Joe bereft with both beloved parents now gone. The senior Mr. Gorga had been in ill health for the past several years, and Teresa even had to leave the reality TV fanfest BravoCon to take him to the hospital — but his health struggles finally came to an end on April 3 as Teresa kept vigil at his side.

The day before losing her dad, Teresa posted on her Instagram a pic of the two of them with her daughters, and revealed, "My father is struggling and my girls and I need him, we need his love." A few hours later she was back on Instagram to break the heartbreaking news: "My father, my protector, my hero, God took you early this morning to be with mommy."

Teresa went on to thank her father for sticking around for a few more years after losing his cherished wife, and praised how he showed his devotion to Antonia by visiting her every single day when she was ill. Teresa claimed her father demonstrated to her what true love really is, which is something that can be hard to remember when one is struggling through the early stages of divorce. She spoke of his zest for life and how he always wanted everyone to enjoy themselves with plenty of good food and drink, calling him the greatest husband, father, and Nonno (grandpa) ever. A followup Instagram memorial tribute (one of many) restated her belief that Giacinto had been "il miglior padre del mondo" (the best father in the world), and said that he had fought to keep going until his last breath.

Teresa is obviously devastated, but she has found some comfort in the fact that her parents are once again reunited: "My silver lining is knowing you'll be together."