Former reality star Teresa Giudice is breaking her silence on the tragic death of her daughter Milania Giudice’s best friend, Victoria Zardoya.
“My sweet beautiful Victoria,” the former The Real Housewives of New Jersey star wrote via Instagram on Saturday, August 1. “This just doesn’t seem real. You were like a daughter to me and an incredible built in best friend and sister to Milania. I watched the two of you grow up into such beautiful young women, and seeing you both follow your dreams at the University of Tampa warmed my heart because I always knew she had you by her side.”
Teresa continued, “I wish we could go back so I could watch you guys running around the soccer field again, laughing, smiling, and just being carefree little girls. Those are the memories I’ll hold onto forever.”
Zardoya died after suffering a fatal fall on July 24 during a trip to Egmont Key, an island off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida. She was 20. It remains unclear how the college student fell at the time of publication. On Wednesday, July 29, a spokesperson for the Manatee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to Us that Zardoya’s autopsy has been delayed due to her status as an organ donor.
“You were so full of life — kind, ambitious, and unstoppable,” Teresa continued in her moving Saturday tribute to the late young woman. “You had the biggest heart and the brightest future ahead of you. I can’t believe I’m writing this right now. The thought of you not walking through my front door anymore doesn’t feel real. It feels like a nightmare I keep hoping I’ll wake up from.”
The reality TV star concluded, “I love you so much sweet angel. Heaven gained one of the most beautiful souls, and I know you’ll be watching over all of us. You will be loved, missed, and remembered forever.”
Teresa also shared a slew of throwback photos and videos featuring Zardoya and her daughter Milania over the years, from childhood to their time in high school and beyond.
Days earlier, Milania revealed that she was undertaking the daunting and heartbreaking task of cleaning out her late best friend’s hospital room in the wake of her untimely death.
“Hello, this is my first time,” Milania, 20, began a Friday, July 31, TikTok video, getting emotional. “They are packing up Victoria’s hospital room. She just went in, she’s saving eight people’s lives [via organ donation]. … I’m spreading awareness about Victoria.”
She added at the time, “I can’t really say much right now because this is, obviously, really new. I just can’t believe this is real, like, seriously just hug your loved ones.”
Milania spent nearly one week at Zardoya’s bedside in the hospital in the days ahead of the college student’s tragic death.
“Milania slept 7 days in a chair until her BFF was ready to give life to 7 people,” Teresa wrote in the comments section.
“I would sleep in a chair next to her forever,” Milania responded.
