Joe Giudice is revealing how much Teresa Giudice made in season 1 ofThe Real Housewives of New Jersey The long-running Bravo reality series debuted in May 2009 "I think that show cost me $150,000 the first year," Joe confessed to his and Teresa's daughter Gia Giudice on herCasual Chaospodcast Monday, Aug. 18 Teresa Giudice's ex-husband,Joe Giudice,is opening up about their family's early days onThe Real Housewives of New Jersey. Joe appeared on Monday's Aug. 18 installment of his daughterGia Giudice'sCasual Chaospodcast and detailed how Teresa came to join the series. The former couple share four daughters: Gia, Gabriella, Milania and Audriana. He confessed theReal Housewivesfranchise was not as popular as it is today, considering onlyThe Real Housewives of Orange Countyhad debuted at that time. Teresa interviewed for a spot onRHONJwhile their home was under construction and immediately captured producers' attention, Joe recalled. "They would not leave us alone," he said. "They were calling every day for a year." Related:https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf By the time their home was complete, Teresa was filming for the show. Season 1 ofRHONJdebuted on Bravo on May 12, 2009. (The show is currently on hiatus after season 14 wrapped in August 2024.) Still, Joe admitted that Teresa being a cast member cost him more money than she was making with the series. "Once we signed, it was kind of like a big blur after that," he said. "I think the first year we had that big party in my great room. I think that show cost me $150,000 the first year." Gia, now 24, pointed out that while the show is about glitz and glam, stars typically don't get paid lots of money in their first season. She added that it may cost more money to keep up theHousewives lifestyle than what a cast member makes when they first join the show. "We got paid nothing the first season," Joe said, agreeing with Gia's take. "I'll even say, it was like $25,000. It was ridiculous. But, whatever ... " "You're putting in more money than you're actually getting out of it. Then obviously you grow and make your way and make your name..." theNext Gen NYCstar added. Charles Sykes/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Teresa and Joe tied the knot in October 1999 and began showcasing the ups and downs of their family's lives on reality television 10 years later.RHONJalso documented the now-exes' legal issues, which began in July 2013 when they wereindicted on federal fraud charges. They pleaded guilty to mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud in October 2014. Teresa wassentenced to 15 monthsin prison, and Joe was given41 months. Teresa was released in December 2015 after serving 11 months. Joe began his sentence in March 2016 and wasreleased three years later. He was ordered to be deported to Italy, where he was born, as henever obtained American citizenshipdespite living in the United States since he was a child. Joe recently asked PresidentDonald Trumpfor apardon, which would allow him to return to the U.S. to be with his and Teresa's four daughters. The twoannounced their separationin 2019, and theirdivorce was finalizedin 2020, PEOPLE confirmed at the time. Teresa has since remarried Luis Ruelas. The paircelebrated their third wedding anniversaryearlier this month. Read the original article onPeople