Teresa Giudice flashes a huge smile as she celebrates her 45th birthday with her daughters while her husband is in jail for fraud

Her husband Joe is currently serving a 36-month sentence for conspiracy and bankruptcy fraud charges in a New Jersey jail.

But Teresa Giudice was not going to let the absence of her husband of 17 years put a damper on her 45th birthday.

In a picture posted to Instagram on Thursday, The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star was flanked by her daughters Gia, Milania, Audriana and Gabriella Giudice. 

Giudice girls: Teresa Giudice celebrated her 45th birthday on Thursday with daughters Audriana, Gabriella, Gia and Milania on Thursday

Giudice girls: Teresa Giudice celebrated her 45th birthday on Thursday with daughters Audriana, Gabriella, Gia and Milania on Thursday

In true New Jersey fashion, the self-admitted animal print lover's birthday cake had zebra stripes around it's perimeter. 

Giudice wore black and white stripes herself, but instead of a prison uniform, it was actually an off-the-shoulder top that showed off her tan.  

In 2015, she celebrated her 43rd birthday party in a Connecticut correctional center for her part in tax evasion and fraud that she and Joe were charged with.

Time apart: Her husband Joe is currently serving a three-year jail sentence for tax fraud, here they are seen in 2016 before he turned himself in, and after she served nearly a year in jail

Time apart: Her husband Joe is currently serving a three-year jail sentence for tax fraud, here they are seen in 2016 before he turned himself in, and after she served nearly a year in jail

Girls trip: The family went on a luxurious Puerto Rican vacation in April

Girls trip: The family went on a luxurious Puerto Rican vacation in April

Teresa's happy family photo comes on the heels of a string of upsetting events facing those close to the Fabulicious author.

She took to social media to send a message to her former Real Housewives Of New Jersey co-star Dina Manzo who was beaten and bound by robbers in a violent home invasion over the weekend at the residence of her millionaire businessman boyfriend Dave Cantin.

Giudice shared a photo of Dina taken just hours before the violent incident on Saturday as the blonde beauty attended the First Holy Communion for her daughter Audriana. 

Bad news: Family friend Dina Manzo (R) was punched in the face and bound during a home invasion robbery last weekend, here she is seen with Teresa's daughter Audriana

Bad news: Family friend Dina Manzo (R) was punched in the face and bound during a home invasion robbery last weekend, here she is seen with Teresa's daughter Audriana

Tribute: Giudice's mother passed at the age of 66 in March, here her granddaughter Audriana poses with a photo of her grandmother 

Tribute: Giudice's mother passed at the age of 66 in March, here her granddaughter Audriana poses with a photo of her grandmother 

The reality star's caption read: 'We love you Dina and Dave.' She also pointed out that Dina is Audriana's godmother.

More heartbreaking news for Giudice came with the death of her mother Antonia Gorga in March at the age of 66 of natural causes.

She posted a tribute to her mom on Mother's Day, featuring her daughter Audriana posing with a photo of her grandmother. 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.