Is Teresa Giudice Still Married? What’s Really Happening with Luis Ruelas Right Now

You’ve seen the headlines, the Instagram tributes, and the endless "friend-of-a-friend" rumors swirling on TikTok. It’s the question that seems to haunt every Bravo fan's group chat: is Teresa Giudice still married? Honestly, the short answer is yes. As of January 2026, Teresa and Luis "Louie" Ruelas are still very much a legal item. They just celebrated their third wedding anniversary in August 2025 with a lavish getaway to Spain, looking every bit like the "soulmates" Teresa constantly claims they are. But if you’ve been following the Real Housewives of New Jersey star for more than five minutes, you know that "yes" comes with a whole lot of fine print.

Between massive tax liens, a show that’s been on a weird hiatus, and some surprising family reunions, the Giudice-Ruelas household is anything but quiet. Let’s get into what’s actually going on behind those massive Montville gates.

The Luis Ruelas Era: Still Standing (For Now)

Teresa and Luis tied the knot on August 6, 2022. It was a whole thing—the hair that launched a thousand memes, the black-tie dress code, and the glaring absence of her brother Joe Gorga and sister-in-law Melissa. Since then, the couple has been a united front, at least publicly.

In late 2025, Teresa took to social media to gush about Louie being her "rock." She’s been pretty vocal about the fact that her second marriage feels different from her first.

But things aren't exactly perfect. People keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, mostly because of the financial "hot water" that keeps making its way into the press. Just this past year, reports surfaced that the couple was hit with roughly $3 million in tax liens.

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Louie reportedly owes the lion's share—around $2.6 million—while Teresa has her own $300,000 bill to settle. For a woman who already did 11 months in "camp" (aka federal prison) for financial fraud, these numbers are more than just a headache. They’re a potential legal nightmare.

Wait, What Happened to Joe Giudice?

It feels like a lifetime ago, doesn't it? Teresa was married to Joe Giudice for 20 years. They were the "OG" couple of Jersey. But that marriage officially ended in September 2020.

Joe’s deportation to Italy was the final nail in the coffin. You can only stay married via FaceTime for so long before the distance (and the legal trauma) breaks you. Teresa has since admitted that she realized she wanted out the moment she saw Joe in Italy after his release; the connection just wasn't there anymore.

Surprisingly, they’re on good terms now. Joe is living his life in the Bahamas and Italy, and he’s even met Louie. It’s a weirdly peaceful ending to a very chaotic two decades.

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The Financial Drama: $3 Million and a House Loan

If you want to know why people keep asking if they're still together, look at the bank account. Well, what we know about the bank account.

1. The Tax Liens: The IRS and the State of New Jersey don't play around. In March 2025, it came out that the couple's total debt reached that $3 million mark.
2. The Mortgage: Louie reportedly took out a $1 million loan against their $3.3 million mansion, then asked for an extension on the maturity date just as the tax news broke.
3. No Prenup: This is the part that makes fans scream at their screens. Teresa famously confirmed on Watch What Happens Live that she didn't sign a prenup with Louie.

Legal experts, like matrimonial lawyer Marilyn Chinitz, have warned that if they file taxes jointly, Teresa is on the hook for Louie’s debt regardless of who earned what. It’s a "fool me once" situation that has fans genuinely worried she’s repeating history.

RHONJ Hiatus and the "New" Family Dynamic

While the marriage is holding steady, the show that made her famous is in a weird spot. The Real Housewives of New Jersey went on a major hiatus after Season 14. The cast was so fractured that they couldn't even film a traditional reunion.

However, something wild happened in late 2025: Teresa and the Gorgas stopped fighting. Seriously. After years of screaming matches and "pizza oven" dramas, the families reportedly spent the holidays together. Melissa Gorga even told Us Weekly she was "relieved." This shift in family dynamics actually takes some pressure off Teresa’s marriage. When she’s not fighting with her brother, there’s less outside noise for Louie to navigate.

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What’s Next for Teresa?

She’s not just sitting around waiting for a Bravo paycheck. Teresa and her oldest daughter, Gia, are actually opening an Italian restaurant called Il Vero in Westwood, New Jersey. It’s slated for a Spring 2026 opening.

Whether this is a legitimate business move or a way to pivot away from the reality TV cameras remains to be seen. But it shows she's trying to build something outside of the "Housewife" bubble.

The Bottom Line

Is Teresa Giudice still married? Yes. Is it complicated? Absolutely. The couple is currently navigating a mountain of debt and the uncertainty of their reality TV future. While they present a united front on Instagram, the legal filings tell a story of significant financial stress. If you're looking for signs of a split, you won't find them in their captions, but you might find them in the next round of court documents.

What you should keep an eye on:

• The March 2026 Deadline: This is when the extension on Louie's $1 million house loan is reportedly up. If they can't pay or refinance, things could get messy.
• Restaurant Launch: Keep an eye on the opening of Il Vero. If it’s a success, it could provide the financial cushion they desperately need.
• Season 15 Casting: Bravo is still "searching" for new faces. If Teresa isn't the center of the show anymore, the financial strain on her marriage will only increase.

For now, Teresa is sticking by her man. She’s weathered prison and a 20-year divorce; a few tax liens probably feel like a Tuesday to her.

Practical Advice for Fans: If you’re following this saga for the "lifestyle" inspiration, take it with a grain of salt. The biggest lesson from the Giudice-Ruelas marriage isn't about the hair or the parties—it's about the prenup. Always protect your assets, no matter how much of a "soulmate" someone feels like in the moment. You can check the New Jersey Courts public records website if you're ever curious about the latest status of those tax liens; they are public information and updated frequently.