Griselda Blanco, also known as The Black Widow and the Cocaine Godmother, was a notorious member and drug lord of the infamous Medellin Cartel. Her involvement in the cocaine drug trade and underworld in Miami, Florida during the 1970s and 1980s made her one of the most feared and powerful women in the criminal world.
Griselda Blanco was born on February 15, 1943 in Cartagena, Colombia. She had a troubled upbringing, experiencing abuse from her mother at a young age which led her to run away and turn to a life of crime. As a troubled adolescent, she became a pickpocket and even resorted to prostitution to survive.
Blanco's reputation for being ruthless and fearless caught the attention of Pablo Escobar, who took her under his wing and mentored her in the ways of the drug trade. She quickly rose through the ranks of the Medellin Cartel, becoming one of its most powerful members.
Known for her brutal tactics and fearlessness, Blanco became known as The Black Widow for her ability to eliminate anyone who crossed her. Her empire in Miami stretched across the city, with her influence reaching far and wide in the criminal underworld.
In 1985, Blanco was sentenced to 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for conspiracy to manufacture, import into the United States, and distribute cocaine. Her arrest was a major blow to the Medellin Cartel, but her legacy as the Cocaine Godmother lived on.
Despite her criminal empire, Blanco was also a mother. Her youngest son was named Michael Corleone Blanco, after the famous character from The Godfather. Her family life was complicated, as her involvement in the drug trade put her loved ones in danger.
After serving her prison sentence, Blanco tried to live a quieter life but was unable to escape her past. She was played by actress Ana Serradilla in a series about her life called La Viuda Negra, highlighting her legacy as one of the most notorious figures in the drug trade.
Today, Griselda Blanco's legacy lives on as one of the most powerful and feared women in the criminal world. Her story serves as a cautionary tale of the dark side of power and wealth, and the consequences that come with living a life of crime.