Giada De Laurentiis Shares a Heartwarming Moment as Daughter Jade Receives College Acceptance Letter

Jade DeLaurentiis opening her college acceptance letter.
Credit: Giada De Laurentiis/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• Jade De Laurentiis opened her college acceptance letter on camera, sharing the moment on social media.
• The family celebrated with their dogs as Jade realized she was admitted to an undisclosed university.
• Giada has expressed “mixed emotions,” noting she will “miss her terribly” when Jade leaves for college in fall 2026.

Jade De Laurentiis, the daughter of chef Giada De Laurentiis, is officially heading to college following a memorable acceptance announcement shared online.

On December 14, an Instagram reel captured the emotional moment when Jade opened her acceptance letter, her mother standing proudly in the background. Jade, 17, hesitated as she anxiously awaited the reveal, stating, “This is me seeing if I get into college,” and adding, “I’m actually so scared, I can’t click the button.”

Jade DeLaurentiis opening her college acceptance letter.

Jade expressed her anxiety by asking, “What if I don’t get in?” Giada quickly reassured her, stating, “If you don’t get in, we’ll go to phase two.” After a few deep breaths, Jade excitedly exclaimed, “I got in!” The celebration that followed featured joyful screams and barks from their dogs.

Though Jade did not disclose the name of the university in her announcement, the moment marked a pivotal milestone for the family. “Amazing, you did it, Jade!” Giada shouted through tears, while Jade’s father, Todd Thompson, commended her achievement and emphasized its significance.

Giada has openly discussed her apprehensions about Jade’s upcoming departure, which brings her one step closer to college life in fall 2026. Earlier this year, she shared her feelings on the milestone, saying, “Because she’s 17, there isn’t a ton of time for me.” This bittersweet transition has prompted Giada to reflect on the changes in their relationship, noting it often feels as if Jade is living in a hotel.

Jade DeLaurentiis opening her college acceptance letter.

In anticipation of her daughter’s transition, Giada and Jade visited various colleges, cherishing the moments they spent together. Giada described the experience as “one of the best gifts” while grappling with conflicting emotions about Jade moving away.

Expressing both excitement and sadness, Giada shared, “I’m super excited for her to fly and find herself and be who she wants to be, but at the same time, it’s incredibly sad. I’m gonna miss her terribly.” The restaurateur also candidly addressed her anxiety about becoming an empty-nester, stating, “As a mom, you spend all 18 years of your life sort of cracking your schedule around her… and I don’t know, it’s really scary. It scares the s— out of me, to be honest.”