Teresa Giudice is free. After a year inside the federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star has been released for home confinement and is now with husband Joe and daughters Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana in their New Jersey home.
According to People, the 43-year-old was released at 5:01a.m. and she was driven home by her lawyer, James J. Leonard Jr.
The website took exclusive photos of the cookbook author after her release, and her first photo shows Teresa wearing a black leather peplum jacket, jeans, and black boots. A source told the website that the star took some time to get herself together before leaving the prison and that she was smiling when she emerged.
Leonard told reporters that Teresa was "extremely upbeat" during the drive home as she enjoyed a cappuccino, which the lawyer bought before picking her up. Upon her arrival, a source told People that Joe was waiting for his wife at the driveway and looked like he was "anxiously anticipating" Teresa's arrival. Joe also had a gift for Teresa as he gave her a black Lexus SUV, with a large bow on top, for her homecoming.
Teresa then had a "very emotional, very private" reunion with her family and Leonard said that it was "something to see."
On Dec. 24, the whole family celebrated by posing for a picture in front of their Christmas tree. People released some exclusive shots of the family getting ready for the photo session, and Teresa is seen getting her hair and makeup done. The family wore black with touches of red for the festive shots, and Teresa looked glamorous in black pants, a black top, and red jacket.
While the star has yet to post something in her social media accounts, Gia took to Twitter on Dec. 23 to express her delight at her mother's homecoming by writing, "welcome back."
