Carmela is a homemaker for the Soprano household, and works to create a semblance of legitimacy for her family, even though she is well aware their wealth is built on "blood money".

Tony trusts Carmela enough to confide in her, to a degree, about some of his Mafia dealings, notably the failed attempt on his life and the death of Richie Aprile.

While she is very proud of Meadow's accomplishments and ambition, Carmela is also jealous and resentful of her daughter for achieving the independence and success she always wanted herself.

Carmela's resentment of her husband's infidelity has often driven her to the brink of breaking her marriage vows during some sexually charged moments with her priest, Father Phil Intintola (in "College"), and painter-decorator Vic Musto.

Carmela reaches a low point with Tony's constant string of affairs and the two have a romantically tense but "arms-length" relationship for a period.

She pursues divorce proceedings against Tony, but is drawn back to her husband by financial concerns and difficulties in rearing A.J., as well as a difficult breakup with Wegler, who accuses Carmela of using sex to manipulate him into giving A.J.

Despite some initial awkwardness, the two are firmly reunited after Tony is shot by his uncle, Junior, both during his coma and after his hospital release.

After Tony surprises his delighted wife with a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Carmela proceeds to flaunt her new SUV in front of Ginny Sack and Angie Bonpensiero, both of whom were reported to be having serious financial problems.

Carmela's concern intensifies when she encountered Adriana's mother, Liz La Cerva, at the Feast of St. Elzear (Episode 74, "The Ride").

Liz, who has stopped taking care of herself, tells Carmela that Adriana is dead, and that Christopher is responsible, going on to say the FBI told her so.

to become part of the production team for a film written by Daniel Baldwin and financed by Little Carmine, rather than enlist in the Army.