The twin sister of Victoria Zardoya, the childhood friend of RHONJ star Milania Giudice who died at age 20, has spoken publicly for the first time since the tragedy, calling her sibling a hero and saying half of her heart will forever be broken.
Alexandra Zardoya shared a post on Friday featuring photos of the two sisters spanning their lives, from childhood through recent years. Among the images was a black and white photograph of Alexandra holding her sister's hand in the hospital.
Victoria died on July 26 after sustaining fatal injuries in what was described as a devastating fall on July 24 while exploring historic ruins at Fort Dade on Egmont Key in Florida. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office confirmed Zardoya was airlifted to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced deceased on July 27.
"Half of My Heart Will Forever Be Broken"
Alexandra opened her tribute by saying she could not believe the situation was real life, with tears falling as she typed each word. She described Victoria as her other half, noting that the two had been together since the womb and had been inseparable ever since.
She said Victoria was the only person who truly understood every single part of her, and called her a light in everyone's life. Alexandra wrote that Victoria's death felt like a bad dream she could still wake up from, and said she did not know what she would do without her twin by her side.
Alexandra described their bond as sharing a life, a heart, a soul, and a love unlike anything she would ever experience again. She wrote that it was always supposed to be the two of them until the end.
She also praised Victoria as intelligent, caring, and endlessly empathetic, as well as the funniest person she knew. Alexandra said she admired how Victoria lived every day in the moment and was unapologetically herself.
Organ Donation and a Final Promise
Alexandra addressed her sister's choice to be an organ donor, saying that because of that selfless decision, eight people would have a second chance at life. She called Victoria a hero for it.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Department told The U.S. Sun that the autopsy had not yet been completed because Zardoya was an organ donor.
At the close of her tribute, Alexandra promised to make her sister proud and to live out her name every day of her life. She ended by saying she would miss Victoria for eternity, describing her as the loudest, craziest, funniest, happiest, most loving, and most stunning human being on the planet.
Milania Giudice re-shared Alexandra's post to her own Instagram stories. Giudice has not posted her own tribute but has reposted messages from friends honoring Zardoya and shared photos of the pair as young children.
What Happened at Fort Dade
Victoria Silberbusch, a friend who was present at the time and shared a statement at the request of Zardoya's family, said the group had actually been getting ready to leave and head to another spot when the fall occurred. She said everything changed in a matter of seconds.
Silberbusch said the group initially thought Zardoya had fallen only one level, but quickly realized she had fallen much further. Friends launched flares from boats to help first responders locate the group while others called 911. Paramedics eventually arrived by boat and a medical helicopter transported Zardoya to the hospital after what Silberbusch described as an incredibly difficult rescue.
Silberbusch said Victoria was never alone, and that from the moment she fell, every person did everything in their power to help her. She urged people to hold the ones they love tighter and to say the things they had been meaning to say.
Joe Giudice, Milania's father and a fellow RHONJ star, announced the death on social media. He said Victoria had been like a daughter to him, that the two families had been neighbors for years, and that he could not believe a simple fall while just being young and having fun could take such a beautiful life. His ex-wife Teresa commented on the post, writing that Victoria would be forever in their hearts.
