Teresa Giudice checks into federal prison

DANBURY, Conn., Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Teresa Giudice began her 15-month prison sentence for fraud on Monday.

The 42-year-old reality star checked into the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Conn., at around 3 a.m. ET. Giudice was accompanied by her attorney, James J. Leonard Jr., but not by husband Joe Giudice.

"She was ready," Leonard told N.J. Advance Media. "Teresa is a very strong woman, she won't have any problems in there. When we arrived at Danbury, everyone we encountered was extremely courteous and respectful."

Teresa and Joe Giudice were sentenced to 15 and 41 months in prison, respectively, on multiple charges of fraud in October. The pair will serve their terms separately on account of their four daughters, whose ages range from 5 to 13.

"Her primary concern is and always has been her four daughters," Leonard said of Giudice. "When she talks about going away, she talks about how it will effect them, not her."

Giudice and her family came to fame on Bravo reality series The Real Housewives of New Jersey. She appeared on six seasons of the program, and is also known for publishing three bestselling cookbooks, including Skinny Italian.