MW 'Real Housewives' star Teresa Giudice and Luis Ruelas face $3 million in tax liens

By Kelsi Karruli

"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice and her second husband, Luis Ruelas, have reportedly run into grave financial troubles-after it was revealed that the couple have been hit with more than $3 million in tax liens.

According to court records reviewed by People, Giudice, 52, owes $303,889 from a lien issued on March 20, while her husband, 49, owes nearly $2.6 million, per a lien that was issued on March 6.

In total, the couple owes $3,037,255; however, that amount does not include another $163,524 lien that Ruelas was issued with in December 2024, because that is still an active case, per the New Jersey Courts website.

Shortly after the news about the couple's financial troubles was revealed, The U.S. Sun reported that Ruelas had requested an extension on a $1 million loan that he took out against the couple's $3.3 million New Jersey mansion in March 2024, which had been due for repayment on March 25, 2025.

Additionally, Ruelas requested an additional loan of $250,000, which has been "executed and delivered," according to a mortgage modification document that was filed in a New Jersey court.

Records reveal that when Giudice and Ruelas purchased their home in 2021, paying $3.35 million for the 7,728-square-foot abode, they did not take out a loan.

The home is currently registered under an LLC of which Ruelas is the "sole member," records show.

However, that home could now be at serious risk as a result of the couple's tax debts-which could lead to a foreclosure if the liens are not repaid.

After Giudice and Ruelas purchased the seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom Montville palace, they revealed that they had modeled it after the Thomas Kinkade painting, "Beyond Summer Gate."

Their property boasts three powder rooms, a gated driveway, a resort-style pool, a movie theater, and a home gym-making it the perfect place to entertain guests and unwind.

Inside, guests are greeted with a grand staircase, a geometrically-designed ceiling, a stunning chandelier, and white-tiled floors.

There is also a chef's kitchen that comes complete with a large island, plenty of cabinets, and state-of-the-art appliances.

Giudice previously showcased the property on the Bravo show, revealing that she built the home to be their "sanctuary" and it was all about the "love, love, love, good energy, and good vibes."

She showed off her "Buddha room," which is dedicated to her inner peace and is the perfect place to meditate as it boasts a large Buddha statue.

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The TV star revealed she does all of her meditating, journaling, and zen-finding in the space.

Giudice has focused on making her oasis the perfect place to host guests, with it boasting a pool table and a movie theater snack section.

The star told Bravo: "We love popping popcorn, putting our feet up, relaxing. It's great you don't have to leave the house to go to the movie theater."

In addition to her entertaining hotspots, Giudice also loves spending time in her fitness center, where she has cardio equipment and a weight rack.

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This is not the first time that Giudice, who wed Ruelas in 2022, has dealt with serious financial and legal troubles, having served an 11-month prison sentence back in 2015 for mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud-charges that also saw her first husband, Joe Giudice, serving nearly two years behind bars.

Giudice later spoke out about the sentence handed down to her, protesting her innocence and insisting that she had been made an example of because of her fame.

"I know in my heart I was not supposed to go there. I know I only went because I'm in the public eye," she said during an appearance on SiriusXM's $(SIRI)$ "Andy Cohen Live."

"Listen, I'll shout it out to the world. I signed two contracts that Joe was flipping [for] two homes he was buying. That's all I did. I knew nothing about what he was doing. I mean, I have nothing to hide. Like, I did my time already, you know?"

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After her husband was released from prison in 2019, he was deported back to his home country of Italy and has most recently been living in the Bahamas, according to his social media hosts.

Meanwhile, Giudice met Ruelas in 2020 while on vacation on the Jersey Shore, and the pair got engaged shortly after.

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Despite her past money troubles, the reality TV starlet revealed during an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen After Show" that she and Ruelas were not going to sign a prenup-news that sparked surprise (and concern) among her fans.

"I mean, I would [sign a prenup], you know, if he said so. I'm so very easy about that. He definitely has more than me. I would never take anything from him, I'm so not like that," she said.

This story originally ran on Realtor.com.

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April 04, 2025 05:03 ET (09:03 GMT)

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