Who is Donna Marco? 'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mother has been a part of Bravo's show since Season 3

Donna Marco raised her kids single-handedly after her husband Anthony John Marco died in 1994, when Melissa was just 17 years old
PUBLISHED MAY 5, 2024
'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mom Donna Marco has appeared on Bravo's show since Season 3 (Instagram/@donnamarco)
'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mom Donna Marco has appeared on Bravo's show since Season 3 (Instagram/@donnamarco)

NEW JERSEY: For those who might not know, Donna Marco is the mother of 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Melissa Gorga. She has been a part of Bravo's hit show since Season 3. 

Donna Marco is a doting mother to her three daughters: Melissa Gorga, Lysa Marco Simpson, and Kim Marco Pirrella. She raised them single-handedly after her husband Anthony John Marco died in 1994, when Melissa was just 17 years old.

As of now, Melissa's mother Donna's profession, and educational background, before her daughter landed in Bravo's 'RHOBH' remain undisclosed. However, a glimpse at Donna's Instagram reveals her passion for spending time with her children and grandchildren.

'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga shares a close bond with her mom Donna Marco (Instagram/@donnamarco)
'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga shares a close bond with her mom Donna Marco (Instagram/@donnamarco)

'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mother Donna Marco is not a fan of Teresa Giudice

In an episode of 'RHONJ' Season 13, Melissa, her husband Joe Gorga, Donna, and Angel had a chat about Teresa Giudice's wedding to Louis 'Luie' Ruelas. During the conversation, Donna disclosed that neither she nor her daughters were invited to Teresa's wedding.

The pair described Teresa's actions as disrespectful. Previously, it was stated that the drama between Donna and Melissa kicked off during Joe and Melissa’s son Joey Jr.’s christening in Season 3.

Then, Melissa and her other sisters got into a fight with Teresa, sparking numerous social media battles. During a Twitter rant, Melissa's sisters even called Teresa 'a liar' and 'a diva.' However, it appears that fans can anticipate more tension between Teresa and Melissa's mother, Donna, in the upcoming season of the Bravo show.

'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mother Donna Marco is not a fan of Teresa Giudice (Instagram/@donnamarco)
'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mother Donna Marco is not a fan of Teresa Giudice (Instagram/@donnamarco)

Did 'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mom Donna Marco get breast reduction surgery?

In March 2021, Melissa's mother Donna underwent a breast reduction surgery. The reality TV star even shared an update about her mother's surgery with her fans. "For everyone asking, my mother's recovery was so easy and she's doing amazing!!!" she wrote on her Instagram Story at that time. 

Melissa also offered a token of thanks who did his mother Donna's surgery. She further added, "Thank you, Dr. Fiorillo." She was there by her mom's side throughout the surgery process. "My mother has always complained about the size of her chest! So finally I'm taking her to the best to get a reduction," Melissa said.

She mentioned that her mom was "excited" to get it done because her breasts were "too big and they [made] her back hurt."

'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mom Donna Marco got breast reduction surgery in 2021 (Instagram/@donnamarco)
'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's mom Donna Marco got breast reduction surgery in 2021 (Instagram/@donnamarco)

How did Melissa Gorga's father Anthony John Marco die?

Melissa Gorga lost her father, Anthony John Marco, in a car crash in 1994 when she was just 17 years old.  In her book Love Italian Style, the Bravo housewife talked about the complicated relationship between her mother and her father.

"I sought a partner like my father in many ways -- ambitious, funny, an adoring parent -- but his opposite in others," she shared in her Bravotv.com blog in the year 2013. She went on to say, "He didn’t come home every night. I was determined to find a man who did. And I found that man and more in Joe." 

'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's father Anthony John Marco died in 1994
(Instagram/@melissagorga)
'RHONJ' star Melissa Gorga's father Anthony John Marco died in 1994 (Instagram/@melissagorga)

'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Season 14 drops on Subday, May 5, 2024, at 8 pm ET only on Bravo.

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