Tell me a bio of Griselda Blanco.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Griselda Blanco, also known as "La Madrina" (The Godmother), was a notorious Colombian-American cocaine trafficker and one of the most infamous female figures in the history of organized crime. Here's a brief bio of her life, career, achievements, and impact:

**Early Life**

Griselda Blanco was born on February 15, 1943, in Cartagena, Colombia. She grew up in a poor household with her mother and siblings. At a young age, she was forced to live on the streets and engage in petty crimes to survive.

**Career**

Blanco's involvement in organized crime began in her teenage years, when she started working as a pickpocket and a prostitute. She eventually moved to the United States, where she became involved in the cocaine trade, working for various cartels and eventually becoming a major player in the industry.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Blanco built a vast cocaine empire, earning her the nickname "La Madrina" (The Godmother). She was known for her cunning, ruthlessness, and business acumen, which allowed her to rise to the top of the male-dominated world of organized crime.

**Achievements**

Blanco's achievements in the cocaine trade were significant:

* She was one of the first women to become a major player in the cocaine trade, paving the way for other women to enter the industry.
* She built a vast network of distributors and suppliers, earning her an estimated $80 million per month at the height of her operation.
* She was known for her innovative marketing techniques, including using beauty products and other legitimate businesses as fronts for her cocaine operation.

**Impact**

Blanco's impact on the cocaine trade and organized crime was significant:

* She helped to establish the Medellín cartel as a major player in the global cocaine trade.
* Her success inspired other women to enter the industry, challenging the traditional male-dominated hierarchy of organized crime.
* Her notoriety and flamboyant lifestyle made her a legendary figure in the world of organized crime, earning her a place in popular culture.

**Personal Life and Later Years**

Blanco's personal life was marked by violence and turmoil. She was married four times and had four sons, but her relationships were often marked by abuse and violence. She was also known for her extravagant lifestyle, which included lavish spending and a penchant for designer clothing and jewelry.

In 1985, Blanco was arrested and charged with cocaine trafficking. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but was released in 2004 after serving 19 years. She was deported to Colombia, where she lived in hiding until her death.

**Death**

Griselda Blanco was assassinated on September 3, 2012, at the age of 69, in Medellín, Colombia. She was shot twice in the head by a motorcyclist, who was reportedly hired by a former associate.

**Legacy**

Griselda Blanco's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While she was a notorious figure in the world of organized crime, she also challenged traditional gender roles and paved the way for other women to enter the industry. Her life has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, cementing her place in popular culture.
Griselda Blanco, also known as "The Queen of Cocaine," "The Black Widow," and "La Madrina" (The Godmother), was a notorious Colombian-American cocaine trafficker and one of the most infamous women in the history of organized crime.

**Early Life**

Griselda Blanco was born on February 15, 1943, in Cartagena, Colombia. Her childhood was marked by poverty and abuse, and she was forced to live on the streets from a young age. She began engaging in petty crime and prostitution to survive, eventually becoming involved in the cocaine trade.

**Rise to Power**

In the 1970s, Blanco began working with her first husband, Carlos Trujillo, in the cocaine trade. The couple emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City, where they established a lucrative cocaine smuggling operation. Blanco's business acumen and ruthless tactics quickly earned her a reputation as a major player in the cocaine trade.

**Career Highlights**

Blanco's career as a cocaine trafficker spanned over two decades. During this time, she:

* Built a vast network of distributors and dealers across the United States, particularly in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City.
* Amassed a fortune estimated to be over $100 million.
* Was involved in numerous violent confrontations with rival dealers and law enforcement, earning her the nickname "The Black Widow."
* Had four marriages, each of which ended in divorce or the death of her husband.
* Was responsible for ordering the murder of several individuals, including her own husband and several business associates.

**Achievements**

Despite her notorious reputation, Blanco achieved a level of success and respect within the underworld. She was one of the first women to become a major player in the male-dominated cocaine trade and was known for her cunning business sense and ruthless tactics.

**Impact**

Blanco's impact on the cocaine trade and organized crime is still felt today. She was a pioneer for women in the underworld and paved the way for future generations of female traffickers. Her exploits have also inspired numerous books, films, and television shows, including the biographical film "Cocaine Cowboys" (2006) and the Netflix series "Narcos" (2015).

**Later Life and Death**

In 1985, Blanco was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison for cocaine trafficking. She was released in 2004 and deported to Colombia. In 2012, Blanco was assassinated in Medellín, Colombia, at the age of 69, reportedly on the orders of a rival trafficker.

**Legacy**

Griselda Blanco's life and career have become the stuff of legend, symbolizing the darker aspects of the cocaine trade and the impact of organized crime on society. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of the underworld and the consequences of a life spent in pursuit of power and wealth.