Teresa Giudice Breaks Her Silence on 15-Month Prison Sentence: “I Was Shocked”

Teresa Giudice received the shock of a lifetime when she was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Just a day after she was sentenced, The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star sat down with Bravo's Andy Cohen for a special "Watch What Happens Live" airied on Monday. Teresa's husband Joe Giudice received a 41-month sentence. Because of a plea deal, many speculated Teresa wouldn't go to prison.

"I was so nervous yesterday that I was shaking," she told Cohen. "My nerves were pulling. At one point I couldn't even more my fingers, they were like stuck. I couldn't open my hands. My nerves were shot. I've had sleepless nights. I mean, I was shocked. I mean, it was very unexpected. I don't even know what to say. I really don't know what to say."

Cohen pushed Teresa on whether she was in denial about the whole thing after her statements in court about needing to wake up. Teresa said she's more aware now, especially with paperwork. "I do need to read things before I sign them," she said.

CLICK: More on Teresa's prison sentence and what happened in court

Teresa will serve her prison sentence first, followed by Joe. She's due to surrender on January 5, 2015. The reality couple has four daughters, so their staggered sentence will keep one of them at home with the kids. Gia, the couple's oldest, told Teresa everything was going to be OK.

MORE: Teresa will film "RHONJ" reunion

"She was being strong for me, I could tell. She was like, 'Mommy, don't worry about it. I'll be there...I'll help daddy with girls...She was like, 'That'll make me a better mom, that will prepare me for when I'm a mom.' I was like, 'Oh my God.' It broke my heart when she said that," Teresa said.

Gia's guidance counselor told Teresa they will monitor her in school, taking her out of gym class once a week to talk to her about her family situation. "She said the one person [Gia's] worried about is me," Teresa said. The reality star said she's a very hands-on mother. "Alls I said to my husband was, 'Alls you have to do is please take care of our daughters. That's all I ask. Please, you've got to do what I do.'"

Teresa and Joe's "Watch What Happens Live" interview aired Monday, Oct. 6 at 9 p.m. on Bravo. A second part follows on Thursday, Oct. 9.

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