Louie Ruelas Reveals Why He Was “Afraid” of Being a Stepdad to Teresa Giudice’s Daughters

Teresa Giudice's husband, Luis “Louie” Ruelas, is shedding light on his experience as stepdad to her four daughters. The entrepreneur revealed why he was nervous to be stepdad to The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member's girls, Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana Giudice, in an episode of Teresa's podcast, Turning the Tables by Teresa Giudice.

In the August 2024 episode, titled "Louie and Teresa's Untold Love Story," the Garden State couple opened up about their relationship and talked at length about Louie's dynamic with Teresa's four daughters, whom she co-parents with Joe Giudice. 

"They're just amazing. They're amazing stepdaughters. They see me," Louie declared. "I was afraid that your daughters wouldn't see me."

He went on to describe the challenges of entering a new family, saying that both him and Teresa "took on responsibility" for each other's kids, including his sons, Nicholas and Louie Ruelas Jr. He then added he was grateful that Teresa's daughters made him feel accepted and welcomed into the family.

"There's such an amazing feeling when you're a guy and you're a stepfather and you're acknowledged," he said. "I have a lot of friends that are stepfathers, and they are forgotten about, because the attention goes towards the 'real dad'... I never feel like that."

Louie Ruelas shares his thoughts on Teresa Giudice's daughters

Earlier in the same episode, Louie was quick to gush about Teresa's kids. "You've done an amazing job with your girls," he told the New Jersey native. He then explained his special bond with each of the four girls.

"Let's start with Audriana ... when I first met her, she was young, quiet, coming into her own," Louie said. "I remember [when] we moved in the house, she started finding her voice, because she started to stand up for herself in situations, you know, with the siblings and stuff... She has three amazing sisters that she's following suit in."

Then, the stepfather declared he was "very close" with Teresa's third-born kid, Milania. "She lives and comes from her heart all the time, you can tell," Louie told Teresa. "Even when she's angry, when she's filled with anger, filled with sadness ... she's grounded, you know?"

As for Giudice's second-oldest daughter, Gabriella, Louie described her as "very logical." "She's a sweet soul, she's your porcelain doll," he told Teresa. "She's so smart, she's a genius," he added.

Last but not least, the stepdad called Next Gen NYC cast member Gia "one of a kind." "She's strong, she's beautiful, she's hardworking, she's fearless," Louie continued.

Louie posts a photo of himself with Teresa and their family on January 3, 2023 in Tulum, Mexico to Instagram.

Photo: Louie Ruelas/Instagram

Teresa Giudice's kids open up about their relationship with stepdad, Luis "Louie" Ruelas

Louie adores Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana, and the feeling is definitely mutual. On April 23, Milania shared an adorable post on Louie's birthday with a super sweet message. "Happy Birthday!! You're truly the best stepdad ever I love you so much and I’m so grateful for everything you do for us," she wrote in the caption. "Thank you for always being there and for all the love and support. Hope your day is as amazing as you are!"

In an episode of her podcast, Casual Chaos, Gia also shed light on her relationship with Louie while addressing rumors about her family's finances.

"Everything will be resolved; my mom has everything under control, and there's nothing to worry about. My stepdad, Louie, is the most amazing stepfather; he treats me and my sisters like we're his own. He is also working on getting everything resolved as well, but there's nothing to worry about," she declared during the March 30 episode.

Additionally, Audriana showed Louie some love on Father's Day. Teresa's youngest child posted a tribute to the loving stepfather on her Instagram story, featuring a photo of the four Giudice daughters with Louie. "Happy Father's Day [Louie]! I appreciate everything you do. Thank you for treating me like your own. Love you," she wrote on the post.

Louie Ruelas posts an image of himself with his step-daughters, the Guidice girls, to his Instagram stories. 

Photo: Louie Ruelas/Instagram

Gia and Milania Giudice open up about their blended family with Louie's kids

Teresa's daughters shared new details about their relationship with Louie's sons during another episode of Gia's podcast. When reflecting on their blended family, Milania declared "it was easier than normal" to accept Louie and his sons into her life.

“Me and little Louie fight like siblings. I’m always messing with him because he’s never had girl siblings, and he’s especially never had a sibling like me before," Milania said in the June 23 episode. "So, I needed to annoy him a little bit, but I always annoy him, and it’s really funny. And I love Nicholas.”

Gia agreed with Milania, saying the Giudice-Ruelas family merge “was very seamless.”