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Credit: Nancy Rivera/INSTARimages

Dolores Catania is revisiting the unsettling home invasion she and her fiancé, Paul “Paulie” Connell, experienced just last month.

The 54-year-old star of Real Housewives of New Jersey shared her thoughts on finding peace as she approaches her 55th birthday. While reflecting on her childhood challenges and discussing her cosmetic surgeries, Dolores recounted the attempted robbery that occurred after she and Paulie announced on social media that they were away.

“That was our error. People checked our Instagram and seized the opportunity,” she explained to OK! Magazine on November 24.

Fortunately, she added, “The police arrived in under two minutes.”

As she recalled the terrifying break-in, Dolores admitted to feeling “dumb” about her post.

“How am I feeling? Dumb that I posted we weren’t home — and lucky nothing happened,” she shared.

According to Dolores, it is important to “lock your doors” and “don’t post in real time.”

“And honestly a good pit bull is the best deterrent,” she added.

Looking ahead to her upcoming year, Dolores said her mindset is “peace.”

“I’m going to be 55. I’m looking forward to what brings peace in my life because there’s no price for peace. Don’t waste your time on things that don’t serve you. Know your worth,” she declared. “[I want] to mentor young women and help them through this part of life because menopause is very debilitating and there’s not enough information.”

Though Dolores is in a good place today, she struggled as a misunderstood child.

“I have dyslexia. I was put in special needs classes and called stupid. I only got over my fear of speaking a few years ago,” Dolores shared. “I diagnosed myself later in life. But both of my kids are successful — one’s a veterinarian and one’s in finance — so I must’ve done something right.”

As for her facelift work, Dolores told fans not to “beat [themselves] up over what [they] look like as [they] age.”

“You have to meet yourself where you’re at. I’m very honest about having some facelift work done — but even if you haven’t, you have to embrace who you are,” she encouraged.

Dolores Catania will be featured on the debut season of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, which is expected to premiere on Bravo in early 2026.