Teresa Giudice breaks silence about daughter Milania after airport incident

Teresa Giudice has spoken out about her daughter Milania after a series of concerning incidents.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star’s daughter, 20, has experienced significant challenges and loss in recent months. Milania was arrested in May and charged with simple assault over an alleged domestic violence incident. She pleaded not guilty and is due back in court Tuesday, according to Page Six.

Milania’s childhood friend, Victoria Zardoya, then tragically died after sustaining a fall during a July vacation in Tampa, Florida.

More recently, Milania was involved in an incident at Tampa International Airport last week that required police assistance. New bodycam footage of that incident was released Monday by TMZ, in which Teresa could be heard saying to her daughter, “I just want to save your life. That’s all.”

Teresa then claimed to police that Milania “had fentanyl in her system.” Milania implied that something she consumed while studying at college had been “laced” with the substance.

In a statement shared Monday to her Instagram Story, Teresa began: “As a mother, there is nothing more important to me than the health, safety, and well-being of my children.

“The past few months have been incredibly difficult for our family, and I feel it is important to say something while also protecting my daughter during an extremely vulnerable time in her life. Milania has experienced tremendous heartbreak and significant psychological trauma after losing two of her best friends. Grief affects everyone differently, and watching your child try to process that kind of loss is something no parent can truly prepare for.

“Right now, my only focus is my daughter — making sure she is surrounded by love, family, support, and the care she needs,” Teresa continued.

“I understand that because our family has lived much of our lives in the public eye, there will naturally be questions and speculation. But Milania is my daughter before she is anything else. She is a young woman going through an incredibly difficult and deeply personal time, and she deserves the opportunity to heal without every moment of her pain being analyzed publicly.”

Teresa went on to ask for privacy for Milania and her family.

After footage from the airport incident circulated last week, a representative for Milania and a friend of the Giudice family told Page Six: “Milania is deeply loved by her family and friends, and all of us are doing everything we can to support her as she navigates an incredibly difficult time in her life, particularly following the devastating loss of her best friend, Victoria.”

Prior to the airport incident, Milania was reportedly hospitalized in Florida under the Baker Act, the publication reported. The Baker Act allows an individual to be held in a hospital for an emergency mental health evaluation for up to 72 hours.

Teresa shares daughters Gia, Milania, Gabriella and Audriana with her first husband, Joe Giudice. The two were married from 1999 until 2020.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.