RHONJ’s Melissa Gorga Reportedly Facing Bankruptcy After Cookie Business Struggles, Forced to Sell $3 Million Franklin Lakes Mansion

From Cookies to Crisis
When Let’s Sprinkle by MG launched in December 2024, it seemed like the perfect business move for Gorga. Inspired by a memorable (and meme-worthy) moment on RHONJ—the “sprinkle cookie” drama—the brand initially saw strong buzz online. Melissa leaned into her Housewives persona, marketing signature sprinkle cookies and a line of festive baked goods with flair and nostalgia.

But the hype was short-lived.

Despite generating half a million dollars in revenue in the first few months, insiders say the brand struggled behind the scenes. Inventory issues, shipping delays, and high overhead reportedly drained profits, and Melissa’s social media push couldn’t maintain momentum. Industry insiders claim the venture was “underprepared for long-term scale” and suffered from “poor logistics planning.”

“Melissa thought the cookies would be a smash hit just because they had a Housewives tie-in,” a source close to the situation said. “But building a real business takes more than Instagram posts and Bravo references.”

Mounting Financial Pressures
The failure of Let’s Sprinkle couldn’t have come at a worse time. Melissa and her husband, Joe Gorga, poured millions into building their Franklin Lakes dream home—a sprawling modern mansion with custom features, designer finishes, and a full-scale entertainment space. The couple purchased the lot for $950,000 in 2021 and spent the next two years building their dream property from the ground up.

But now, just over two years later, that dream appears to be crumbling.

Sources close to the Gorgas allege that the couple is being forced to put the $3 million home on the market amid mounting debts. While neither Melissa nor Joe has confirmed the rumors publicly, real estate watchers note that the property was recently listed privately, a move often used by high-profile sellers hoping to avoid public scrutiny.

Worse yet, reports indicate that Melissa has filed for personal bankruptcy to protect remaining assets. Details remain sealed for now, but speculation is swirling among fans and gossip blogs.

“Melissa always prided herself on looking successful, but the truth is, the glam was always a little smoke and mirrors,” said a Bravo insider. “She was trying to keep up appearances, but the money just wasn’t there.”

Trouble Brewing on Bravo?
This financial spiral could also affect Melissa’s future on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. With long-standing tension between her and sister-in-law Teresa Giudice already dominating the show’s storylines, fans are wondering whether Melissa’s real-life crisis will be addressed in upcoming episodes—or if it could spell the end of her time on the show entirely.

“Bravo loves drama, but they don’t love liabilities,” said a reality TV producer familiar with the franchise. “If Melissa can’t maintain the lifestyle that RHONJ requires, producers may look for fresher faces who can.”

In the meantime, Melissa has gone quiet on social media. Her once-frequent Instagram updates have slowed to a trickle, and she has avoided addressing the swirling rumors.

Still, some believe she may try to turn the situation into a redemption arc. Bankruptcy and financial trouble aren’t exactly new territory for the Housewives franchise—just ask Teresa, who famously served time for fraud and returned to the show bigger than ever.

What’s Next for the Gorgas?
For now, Melissa Gorga faces a crossroads. Will she recover from this financial freefall and stage a comeback? Or is this the end of her reign as one of New Jersey’s Housewives elites?

One thing is certain: for someone who once scoffed at sprinkle cookies, those tiny baked goods may have left a much bigger mark on Melissa’s life than she ever anticipated.