Teresa Giudice of RHONJ engaged to Louie Ruelas

Reality TV maven and former jailbird Teresa Giudice became engaged to her boyfriend of one year, New Jersey businessman Louie Ruelas, on Tuesday following an idyllic proposal in Greece.

The star, 49, who is best known for starring on Bravo’s Real Housewives Of New Jersey, said yes to her partner on a sandy beach where he deployed the help of a candlelit heart and vast light-up letters bearing the words: ‘Marry Me’, during their vacation on Hydra Island in Greece, according to PEOPLE. 

The proposal comes two years after Teresa finalized her divorce from husband of 20 years, Joe Giudice, with whom she shares four daughters: Gia, 20; Gabriella, 17; Milania, 16; and Audriana, 12. 

She has been documenting the trip on social media before news arose of the exciting proposal on Thursday.  

Set to wed: Reality TV maven and former jailbird Teresa Giudice has become engaged to her boyfriend of one year, New Jersey businessman Louie Ruelas during their Greece holiday (the couple pictured on Tuesday) 

I heart you: He popped the question with a lavish beachside proposal, with images showing a candlelit heart laid out on the sand alongside illuminated letters with the words Marry Me

I heart you: He popped the question with a lavish beachside proposal, with images showing a candlelit heart laid out on the sand alongside illuminated letters with the words Marry Me 

PEOPLE shared the news of their engagement on Thursday, with fans treated to several snaps rom their romantic proposal that took place at night on the beach with a bouquet of red roses.

In the images, Teresa has on a plunging white evening dress with slacks underneath, Her hair worn down in soft waves and she had full makeup on as she looked simply delighted and totally loved-up. 

There were white candles in hurricane lamps that were placed on the beach in the shape of a heart. In the background was a large glowing sign that said Marry Me. 

Louie got down on one knee and popped the question with a stunning diamond ring. There were also fireworks off the coast that lit up the night’s sky. ‘Teresa was completely surprised,’ a source told the site. 

Making a statement: There were white candles in hurricane lamps that were placed on the beach. In the background was a large glowing sign that said Marry Me

Making a statement: There were white candles in hurricane lamps that were placed on the beach. In the background was a large glowing sign that said Marry Me

Flying high: On Wednesday Luis shared a loved up snap of the duo taking a helicopter together

Flying high: On Wednesday Luis shared a loved up snap of the duo taking a helicopter together

Following the proposal, Teresa’s brother Joe Gorga said he is thrilled about her news. When asked about the news, he raved that he is ‘so excited’ and ‘so happy for her’ to Us Weekly.  

‘[Luis] came in like what she needed. She needed that Superman to come in and take her life and fix it, and that’s what he’s doing,’ the real estate developer added.

The day prior they enjoyed a romantic helicopter ride. Luis shared a snapshot from their outing, captioning the photo: ‘I’ll fly anywhere in the world with you Teresa you are my favorite person ❤️ LOVE YOU.’

Sweet: He captioned the shot saying: 'I’ll fly anywhere in the world with you Teresa ✈️ ✈️ you are my favorite person ❤️ LOVE YOU'

Sweet: He captioned the shot saying: ‘I’ll fly anywhere in the world with you Teresa ✈️ ✈️ you are my favorite person ❤️ LOVE YOU’

Kissy: On Tuesday he posted this photo where he was kissing Teresa at Spirandreas Taverna. The caption read, 'LOVE in Greece'

Kissy: On Tuesday he posted this photo where he was kissing Teresa at Spirandreas Taverna. The caption read, ‘LOVE in Greece’

They celebrated their engagement with former RHONJ star Dina Cantin and her husband Dave Cantin until five in the morning, feasting on fine foods such as lobster, sea bass, and champagne at the resort restaurant Nama.  

On social media on Thursday, Teresa was seen having fun on Hydra Island as she wore a chic silk printed top and matching wide-legged slacks as she added a dusty pink hat. 

She glowed as she toasted her pal at an al fresco table with locals walking around in the background. 

Teresa and Louie met by chanced in 2020 in New Jersey. The couple saw each other several times at the Jersey Shore when Ruelas was exercising and Giudice was walking. 

Bling bling: The siren flashed a chunky ring on her wedding finger which was not her engagement ring as she toasted pal Katie Cherkasky

Bling bling: The siren flashed a chunky ring on her wedding finger which was not her engagement ring as she toasted pal Katie Cherkasky 

They didn’t formally introduce themselves until later on when Giudice was with friends.

As the best-selling cookbook author relayed to Extra: ‘We started talking, he told us about himself. He had two business cards on him. He handed to me one and then one to my married girlfriend.’

She added: ‘All of a sudden, he drives up to us in the car. He said, “Teresa, my son wanted to know why I didn’t ask for your number.” I said, “I have your business card. I’ll text you.” My girlfriend took my phone and was like, “I’m texting him right now.”‘

Keeping it civil for the children: Teresa and her ex-husband Joe divorced in 2019 but agreed to remain friends for their four daughters sake (the couple pictured in 2016)

Keeping it civil for the children: Teresa and her ex-husband Joe divorced in 2019 but agreed to remain friends for their four daughters sake (the couple pictured in 2016)

The two went public with the relationship on Instagram in December of last year, several months after Giudice finalized her divorce from Joe.

‘The BEST thing that came out of 2020,’ Teresa captioned of a photo featuring herself and Louie. 

While making his RHONJ debut during the season finale in May, Louie called Teresa ‘a dream come true.’ He said: ‘I absolutely did not expect to meet you, and I really thought I’d probably be alone for like, the next 10 years. You’re literally like, a dream come true.’

‘I love that Louie gets me and I have always wanted that. And it’s so crazy because I don’t know what the future holds, but this is the best I’ve felt in a really long time.’

'The BEST thing that came out of 2020': The two went public with the relationship on Instagram in December of last year, several months after Giudice finalized her divorce from Joe

‘The BEST thing that came out of 2020’: The two went public with the relationship on Instagram in December of last year, several months after Giudice finalized her divorce from Joe

The couple had dinner with Joe several months ago, and though it looked very ordinary on Instagram, Teresa’s ex told US Weekly the meeting was awkward.

He said: ‘You can all imagine how I felt when they walked in the room. It was awkward to see my ex after a lifetime together with someone else. Teresa and I decided to be honest and remain friends with one another for the girls.’

But during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Teresa recounted how touched she was by Louie’s efforts to meet her ex-husband.

She said: ‘Louie wanted to go to the Bahamas and meet [Joe] — which I thought was the most amazing thing ever,’ she said. ‘He said he just wanted to talk to him and let him know he’s not trying to take his place or anything. But he just wanted to meet him, ’cause I have daughters.’

The family: Teresa has four daughters: Gia, 20, Gabriella, 17, Milania, 16, and Audriana, 12

The family: Teresa has four daughters: Gia, 20, Gabriella, 17, Milania, 16, and Audriana, 12

Teresa and Joe’s marriage deteriorated after they both served time in prison for fraud. The Saronno-born amateur boxer was deported back to his native Italy in October 2019 after completing his three-year sentence at Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution.

Teresa – formerly known as FCI Danbury inmate No. 65703-050 – completed her own 11-month sentence for 41 counts of fraud in December 2017. The tax-evading pair – who had a prenup – were originally sentenced in October 2014 for bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

News of the Giudices’ divorce came the same day Page Six reported that they put their marital Montville mansion on the market for $2.5M last September. At the time it was reported that Teresa was ‘ready to start a new chapter’ and bid farewell to the 10K-square-foot six-bedroom property, which sits on four acres

Louie was engaged to Vanessa Reiser until March 2020, and has dated Paula Sanchez whom he split from in 2018. He divorced Marissa DiMartino in 2011; together they share two children. 

'Best interests of their children': The amicable exes - both 48 - share four daughters: Gia, 19; Gabriella, 15; Milania, 14; and Audriana, who turns 11 on September 14 (pictured November 12)

‘Best interests of their children’: The amicable exes – both 48 – share four daughters: Gia, 19; Gabriella, 15; Milania, 14; and Audriana, who turns 11 on September 14 (pictured November 12)

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk