Griselda Blanco is back in the limelight due to the new Netflix series, Griselda which stars Sofía Vergara in the titular role. The six-episode limited series dives into the life and crimes of the Godmother of Cocaine cartel Queenpin. Given that she rose to the top in the male-dominated society, she had experienced a life of power, murder, crimes, violence, and motherhood.
Griselda Blanco Confirmed Shooting Her Husband, Alberto Bravo
Her life story encapsulates several important figures, one such figure was her second husband, Alberto Bravo, who met his end through her hands. He was a trafficker for the Medellin cartel, which the former took on to create a billion-dollar empire for herself.
As per a 1989 report by Sun Sentinal, a government witness, Max Mermelstein confirmed that Blanco herself killed Bravo.
“That was nothing unusual for Griselda Blanco. She had them all killed — all her husbands and lovers, until she became top dog. She bragged to me that she had personally killed her lover, Alberto Bravo.”
The witness continued,
“She told me that she was standing at the open window of Bravo’s parked car and he said something that made her mad. So she reached over, stuck the muzzle of her gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Just like that. And I believe her.”
As Maxim reported, the lovebirds who also were business partners moved over a hundred kilos of cocaine in the United States while operating out of New York City. This was possible as they employed nearly 1500 dealers for the smooth functioning of their work.
Why Griselda Blanco Shot Her Second Husband, Alberto Bravo?
While their business was blooming, the duo’s relationship deteriorated as Maxim reported that millions of profits generated had gone missing, with the drug smuggler blaming her husband for it. They eventually decided to confront each other but the result was quite bloody as expected.
“So when she and her enforcers pulled into the parking lot of a nightclub outside Bogotá, she tucked a pistol into her ostrich-skin boot…Stepping out of her limo, Blanco strode toward Bravo, who was waiting impatiently for her across the lot, backed by his own team of glowering goons.”
The report continued,
“Sensing his wife’s rage, Bravo lashed out, accusing her of allowing the ‘Godmother’ talk to go to her head.”
According to lore, the Godmother of crime drew out her pistol and “fired several shots point-blank at her husband.” To counter her aggression, he pulled “an Uzi out of his waistband” which was struck in her stomach. While she eventually recovered from her injury, her husband was killed by getting shot in the face.
Sofia Vergara is Taking on Griselda Blanco’s Role in New Netflix Series, Griselda
The Modern Family star, Sofia Vergara is portraying the role of Blanco in a new Netflix series, Griselda which follows her life story including her time to eventually become a drug lord.
In a Los Angeles Times interview, she talked about how she was determined to play the role, especially after being typecast due to her accent.
“I’m always looking for characters because there’s not much that I can play with this stupid accent. I can’t play a scientist or be in ‘Schindler’s List.’ My acting jobs are kind of limited.”
She was quite intrigued with Blanco’s life as she studied her thoroughly over the years.
“I read every single book, every single article, every new note on the internet that came out. For many years, I read and read and read.”
Her in-depth research and craft skills eventually helped her in playing the Colombian crime lord’s role.
Griselda is streaming on Netflix.
