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Milania Giudice's BFF Victoria Zardoya Died in Tragic Fall at Florida's Fort Dade Ruins
Teresa Giudice is remembering the life of Victoria Zardoya.
After Milania Giudice’s best friend died following a fatal fall in Florida on July 24, the Real Housewives of New Jersey star reflected on her family’s special bond with the late University of Tampa student.
“You were so full of life—kind, ambitious, and unstoppable,” Teresa wrote on Instagram August 1 alongside family photos with Victoria. “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,” she added. “It feels like a nightmare I keep hoping I’ll wake up from.”
Victoria died after she "sustained fatal injuries due to a devastating fall” while exploring the ruins of Fort Dade from the Spanish-American War in the Tampa area, according to a statement shared on social media by Victoria’s friend Victoria Silberbusch, who was at the historic site during the “unimaginable and unexpected tragedy.” She was 20.
And having watched Victoria and Milania grow up together makes saying goodbye that much harder for Teresa.
“My sweet beautiful Victoria @_victoriazardoya this just doesn’t seem real,” the 54-year-old continued on Instagram. “You were like a daughter to me and an incredible built in best friend and sister to @milania.ggiudice.”
“I watched the two of you grow up into such beautiful young women,” she added, “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.”
Instagram/Teresa Giudice
But as the reality TV star—also mom to Gia, 25, Gabriella, 21, and Audriana, 16, with ex-husband Joe Giudice—continues to grieve following Victoria’s passing, she’ll continue to hold their memories close to her heart.
“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,” she wrote. “Those are the memories I’ll hold onto forever.”
“I love you so much sweet angel,” she added. “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.”
For a closer look into Milania and Victoria’s unbreakable bond, read on…
Joe Giudice/Instagram
Like Family
In a throwback pic, Milania Giudice hung out at home with her friend Victoria Zardoya and her dad Joe Giudice, who grieved the loss of his daughter’s best friend in July 2026, writing on Instagram, “You were like a daughter to me. I watched you grow up with my daughter Milania. We were neighbors for years, and you became part of our family. I can’t believe you’re gone.”
Victoria Zardoya/Instagram
Glitter, Glam, Giudice
Giudice and Zardoya coordinated their festival ‘fits during the Breakaway Music Festival in Tampa in April 2026. The besties posed alongside their friends and danced until the sun set.
Milania Giudice/Instagram
Eager to Embrace Easter
Giudice and Zardoya had their arms wrapped around each other as they soaked up the sun together on Easter Sunday 2026 in Tampa, Fla., where they attended the University of Tampa together.
Victoria Zardoya/Instagram
Bad to the Bone
The pair were all smiles as they attended a costume party in November 2025 with friends dressed in caveman attire,, matching their fur boots and bone-inspired jewelry.
Milania Giudice/Instagram
Pony Up
Giudice and Zardoya wore their New Jersey best as they attended the Haskell Stakes horse-racing tournament in July 2025.
Milania Giudice/Instagram
The Good Ones
The BFFs embraced their love for each other on Valentine’s Day 2024, matching their red tops and posing together with friends at a party. Giudice captioned her Cupid-inspired Instagram post, “Keep the good ones close.”
Victoria Zardoya/Instagram
The Simple Life
Zardoya and Giudice’s friendship was on par with any famous pairing, including Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Indeed, Zardoya celebrated her bestie’s February 2023 birthday with pictures from some of their many vacations together, writing in the caption, “It’s my best friends birthday. I love you. The Paris to my Nicole 4L.”
Victoria Zardoya/Instagram
Global Girlfriends
These two were jetsetters through and through and never found a body of water they didn’t love, including the coastal waters of Jamaica, where they visited in September 2022.
Victoria Zardoya/Instagram
Matching Monochrome
Their style matched their sisterhood, as Giudice and Zardoya sported coordinated black-and-white swimsuits during a trip to Cancún, Mexico, in August 2021.
Victoria Zardoya/Instagram
Sisters For Life
Zardoya’s friendship with Giudice was on display yet again in her February 2020 birthday tribute, as she detailed their bond in the caption.
“Happy birthday to the girl who has never left my side,” Zardoya wrote on Instagram. “No matter what happens i will always love you like the triplet i never had. cheers love u m money.”
Instagram/Milania Giudice
Never on Thin Ice
Besties from day one, Zardoya smiled with Giudice at the ice rink in a throwback picture that the Real Housewives of New Jersey alum shared after the news of her friend's death.
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