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Born Griselda Blanco Restrepo in Cartagena, Colombia on February 15, 1943. https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/griselda-blanco -
Due to a life of poverty, she began a life of crime. She started off as a pickpocket. Some say that at age 11 she helped kidnap a boy, and, after his wealthy family refused to pay the ransom, shot him. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Griselda-Blanco -
During the early to mid 70s, it is believed that around this time, she was introduced to the cocaine business by her then-husband, Alberto Bravo. https://www.ibtimes.com/colombian-drug-lord-griselda-blancos-life-violence-comes-full-circle-761125
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With New York City as their base, the couple began bringing the drug into the United States and the couple created an extensive and highly profitable operation. https://www.ibtimes.com/colombian-drug-lord-griselda-blancos-life-violence-comes-full-circle-761125 -
By the late 1970s, Griselda Blanco had relocated to Miami where her reputation as the "Godmother of Cocaine" became known by many. https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/04/world/americas/colombia-elderly-ex-trafficker-killed/index.html
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After being convicted of previous drug offenses, she was sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison, though she continued to run her cocaine empire while imprisoned. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Griselda-Blanco -
In 1994, Griselda Blanco was accused of three murders after one of her hitmen, Jorge Ayala, agreed to testify against her. https://www.miamiherald.com/article1942420.html -
Blanco cut a plea deal and agreed to a 20-year sentence. However, she only served seven years in prison before being released. https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article1950845.html -
After serving her sentence, Griselda Blanco was deported back to Colombia, where she apparently lived a quiet life. https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/04/world/americas/colombia-elderly-ex-trafficker-killed/index.html -
On September 3, 2012, after leaving a butcher shop, Griselda Blanco was murdered by two gunmen in Medellin, Colombia. https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/griselda-blanco