For years, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has carried questions about her adoption story—and in a deeply emotional moment on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, she finally got some answers.
The reality TV star, now 37, connected with her birth mother for the very first time, uncovering the heartfelt reasons behind her being put up for adoption as an infant.
An Adoption Story Rooted in Hardship
Snooki was adopted from Chile when she was just six months old by an Italian-American family in New York—a fact she’s shared publicly before.
But what she didn’t know until now was the difficult situation her birth mother faced.
During the reunion episode aired Thursday, Snooki used a computer chat with a translator to ask the question she had carried for decades: “Why was I put up for adoption?”
Through the translator, her birth mother explained that after finding out she was pregnant, she told her partner—Snooki’s father—who then disappeared, leaving her alone and unsupported.
Feeling overwhelmed and without any help, putting Snooki up for adoption was the only choice she saw, even though it was heartbreaking.
Facing Decades of Uncertainty and Finding Closure
In a private confessional filmed last year, Snooki shared how powerful the moment was for her: “For 36 years, I’ve been wondering about this, and now the answer is right here. It’s insane.”
She also told her birth mom that she’s been living a wonderful life, filled with love and happiness.
When the birth mother asked if Snooki was angry about being given up, Snooki chose to take the conversation from messages to a phone call.
Nervous but determined, she greeted her birth mom in Spanish, and their connection deepened with tears and heartfelt apologies.
Snooki’s birth mother admitted that letting her go had been extremely difficult and said she never forgot about her daughter.
Reassuring Her Birth Mother and Reflecting on Her Journey
Snooki comforted her birth mother by sharing that she was raised by loving parents who spoiled her and that she grew up in New York.
The reality star reflected in another confessional: “I wouldn’t even be here if she hadn’t made that painful choice.
I had an amazing childhood, incredible parents, and then meeting my Jersey Shore roommates… and of course, meeting Jionni and having my kids.”
A Full Life Built on Love and Connection
Today, Snooki is a proud mom of three: Lorenzo, 11, Giovanna, 10, and Angelo, 6.
She’s been married to Jionni LaValle since 2014.
This reunion with her birth mother marks a powerful chapter in her life—one that brought answers, healing, and a deeper understanding of where she came from.