In an exclusive interview with Life & Style, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga reveals that she and sister-in-law Teresa Giudice have finally mended fences!

Melissa reveals Teresa’s prison term — along with husband Joe Giudice’s — had a lot to do with it. “I just decided to let things go, and I think she feels the same,” the 37-year-old says. “There are bigger issues in the world. We realized that if we can’t get a handle on our relationship, that’s pretty sad.”

RELATED: New ‘RHONJ’ Star Dolores Catania Threatens to Tell All About Teresa Giudice!

View this post on Instagram

Hanging out with my sisterinlaw @melissagorga

A post shared by Teresa Giudice ® (@teresagiudice) on

“There definitely has been a crisis going on, and family bands together during a crisis,” explains Melissa, who has been spending a lot of time with Teresa and her four daughters, Gia, 15, Gabriella, 11, Milania, 10, and Audriana, 6. “We are true family people at our roots.”

The duo realized that as stars of a reality show that thrives on feuds and broken alliances, there were “people pushing us not to get along,” the mother-of-three explains. “Our relationship has been through a lot. We just decided to no longer let other people sway the way we think.”

RELATED: ‘RHONY’ Castmates Urge Bravo to Fire Bethenny Frankel!

She adds, “Whatever Teresa needs, we’re just there for her right now. She knows it. We love each other.”

Tune-in to Season 7 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, which returns Sunday, July 10, at 8pm ET/PT on Bravo.

For Melissa’s full interview, including why her and husband Joe have been “butting heads” lately, pick up the latest issue of Life & Style, on newsstands now!

l&s cover