Netflix’s latest miniseries, “Griselda,” starring Sofía Vergara, breaks the mold of the typical drug-lord-turned-anti-hero narrative by focusing on the true story of Griselda Blanco, the notorious “godmother of cocaine.” Known for her business acumen, expert smuggling, and ruthless demeanor, Blanco’s criminal empire rivaled even Pablo Escobar’s. The show explores her tumultuous rise to power and ultimate downfall, featuring stellar performances by Karol G, Vanessa Ferlito, and Alberto Guerra. Dive into the captivating world of Griselda Blanco, where glamour and crime collide.
Who is Netflix’s Griselda?
Born in 1943 in Cartagena, Colombia, Griselda Blanco became a notorious drug dealer in the ’70s and ’80s. After fleeing her abusive boyfriend, also involved in drug dealing, Blanco ended up in Miami with three children and no money. Seeking financial stability, she initially sought a job at her friend Carmen’s agency. However, Blanco soon turned to the drug trade, realizing its lucrative potential, and began her journey into a life of crime. This compelling narrative unfolds in Netflix’s adaptation of Blanco’s life.
Griselda Blanco’s life is marked by a tumultuous and complex journey. Raised in poverty by an alcoholic mother, Blanco reportedly took drastic measures at just 11 years old, kidnapping a wealthy boy for ransom, and allegedly killing him when the parents didn’t comply. At 13, she entered into a relationship with a pimp named Carlos Trujillo, and by 21, they were married with three children.
After her involvement in Trujillo’s business affairs, Blanco allegedly had him killed when their relationship ended. She then married Alberto Bravo, and together they became involved in smuggling cocaine into the United States. Blanco’s ingenious idea was to hide drugs within the fabric of women’s bras and girdles. In reality, they worked together successfully for a while, earning millions. However, their relationship soured, leading to a deadly confrontation in which Blanco survived being shot in the stomach, while Bravo did not.
In 1978, Blanco, now married to Dario Sepulveda, moved to Miami and took control of the cartel herself. Estimates suggest she earned around $1.5 billion in drug sales before her arrest in 1985. This gripping narrative is brought to life in the Netflix adaptation of Blanco’s remarkable and notorious life.
How Did Griselda Become So Powerful?
Griselda Blanco’s success in the drug trade can be attributed to several factors. Despite her violent reputation, she was often underestimated by male competitors who believed they could outsmart her. Unbeknownst to them, Blanco was plotting their demise and executed attacks on other cartels, eliminating enemies through hitmen.
Her business acumen played a crucial role. In 1989, a DEA member noted Blanco as “the first to use multiple sources of supply,” ensuring a continuous cocaine pipeline. Starting with smuggling in undergarments, Blanco expanded her methods, even rumored to have hidden drugs on a ship called Gloria during America’s bicentennial celebration.
Moreover, Blanco played a significant role in popularizing cocaine in the United States. Before her involvement, marijuana dominated the scene. Moving to Miami, she seized the opportunity in a city that was becoming a party capital, introducing a more potent and addictive drug that quickly gained popularity. Blanco’s ability to adapt, innovate, and exploit market trends contributed to her remarkable success in the drug trade.
How Was Griselda Blanco Caught?
Arresting Griselda Blanco proved challenging due to the difficulty in finding witnesses willing to testify against her and her knack for evading capture by frequently moving around. In 1977, DEA special agent Charles Cecil tracked her down to Colombia, patiently waiting for her return to the United States. Finally, in 1985, Blanco was apprehended at her home in Irvine, California.
She was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture, import, and distribute cocaine, leading to a 15-year prison sentence. In 1994, additional charges were brought against her for the death of Johnny Castro, a young boy killed in 1982 during a hit ordered by Blanco. Pleading guilty to three second-degree murder charges in 1998, Blanco saw her prison sentence reduced by six years. This marked the legal consequences for the notorious “godmother of cocaine.”
How Did Griselda Blanco Die?
Following her release from prison and deportation to Colombia in 2004, Griselda Blanco, having retired from the cocaine business, remained a target for enemies she had accumulated over the years. In 2012, Blanco met a tragic end when a gunman executed a drive-by shooting while she was leaving a butcher shop in Medellín. The assailant, riding a motorcycle, employed a tactic reminiscent of the methods Blanco’s own hitmen allegedly used during the peak of her criminal career. The violent conclusion to Blanco’s life highlighted the ongoing dangers associated with her notorious past.
What Happened to Griselda’s Children?
Griselda Blanco had four sons: Osvaldo, Uber, Dixon Trujillo (from her first marriage to Carlos Trujillo), and Michael Corleone Blanco with her ex-husband Dario Sepulveda. Unfortunately, Michael’s father and older brothers were reportedly killed while Blanco was in jail. There are speculations about Blanco ordering a hit on Sepulveda, but it remains unconfirmed.
Following his mother’s release from prison, Michael spent most of his time with legal guardians and relatives. With Netflix adapting Blanco’s life into a series, Michael is suing the streaming platform and Sofía Vergara. He claims that Netflix did not consult his previous media interviews and accused the writers of relying on anecdotes instead of facts to craft the story. Michael expressed his dissatisfaction, calling Netflix’s actions a “slap in the face,” asserting that they “wouldn’t have got away with it” if his mother were alive.
While initially approached by Netflix and Vergara, Michael contends that they had already decided to create the series without his involvement. He characterized the Netflix creators and Vergara’s camp as disrespectful, accusing them of producing the project for commercial gain without crucial details from the Blanco family.
Michael has recently authored a book about Griselda Blanco’s life, titled “My Mother, The Godmother,” available for pre-order. He emphasizes the need for a more humanized portrayal of his family’s life story, rather than villainization.
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