You may be familiar with the Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco. Now thanks to Netflix’s latest short series “Griselda,” a new generation is being introduced to the drug trafficker.
“Griselda,” which stars Sofia Vergara in the titular role, offers a glimpse of Blanco’s journey into drug trafficking in Miami during the 1970s and 1980s. Aside from showing the infamous drug lord’s challenges and triumphs, the show also highlights the challenges faced by women in male-dominated spaces, especially within drug trafficking and law enforcement.
Alongside Vergara, the new six-part limited series also stars Karol G, Alberto Guerra, Juliana Aidén, Vanessa Ferlito and more. The show is now streaming on Netflix.
To learn more about the real-life Griselda Blanco, keep scrolling for five facts.
Who is Griselda Blanco and why is she famous?
Blanco was born on February 14, 1943 in Cartagena, Colombia. At age three, she and her mother moved to Medellín, where she was exposed to crime and violence, influencing her adolescence and adult life. At just 11 years old, Blanco allegedly committed her first crime.
As an adult, Blanco became a prominent figure in the cocaine-based drug trade between Medellín, New York, and Miami during the 1970s throughout the early 2000s. She was known as the “Cocaine Godmother” and “The Black Widow.”
Blanco knew Pablo Escobar, whom she worked closely with.
What was Griselda Blanco’s net worth?
Blanco is said to have earned up to $2 billion in her lifetime. Aside from her career as a drug lord, Blanco was also known as one of the most murderous crime bosses of all time.
What happened to Griselda Blanco’s family?
Blanco was married three times and had a total of four sons. All of her children were involved in the family business. Her three eldest sons were murdered. One of her sons is still alive and starred on VH1’s “Cartel Crew.” The former reality star recently made headlines after suing Netflix for creating “Griselda” without consulting her family.
How did Griselda Blanco die?
After serving a sentence in Miami, FL, Blanco was deported back to Colombia and was eventually murdered in 2012 when she was 69 years old.
How has Griselda Blanco’s life inspired pop culture?
Blanco and her notorious legacy have been featured in a variety of creative projects, including movies, documentaries and songs. A few of those projects include Lifetime’s “Cocaine Godmother,” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Meek Mill and Rick Ross’ 2012 track “Believe It,” DaBaby and Nicki Minaj’s unofficial remix “Suge” and Drake, Travis Scott and Quavo’s collab “Portland.”
Jennifer Machin is an editor for LATINA, specializing in pop culture and music. Her work has appeared in Hypebae, Life & Style, Billboard, Seventeen and more.