Undated file photo of Griselda Blanco, the mastermind behind the gruesome drug-related killings in South Florida that took place during the 1980's known as the "Cocaine Cowboys" era. Her childhood unfolded during “La Violencia,” a decade of civil unrest in Colombia so violent that torture and dismemberment were commonplace in the brutal deaths of an estimated 300,000. Vote “NO” on poor-performing Judges Muñiz, Forst and Klingensmith | Editorial, Your guide to Florida’s six constitutional amendments on the 2020 ballot, Hyde: Tua promotion was the right decision handled the wrong way | Commentary, Sun Sentinel endorsements for Nov. 3 election — all in one place, An angry outburst and denials of sex abuse: Ghislaine Maxwell’s testimony on Jeffrey Epstein is revealed, Trump and Obama expected to battle for votes in South Florida on Saturday, Voter Guide: South Florida 2020 General Election. Killer role for Jennifer Lopez as Griselda Blanco. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Earlier this year, Miami resident Michael Corleone Blanco shared his mother’s story as the lead cast member of the VH1 reality series “Cartel Crew," which followed the descendants of Cartel families in South Florida. “She is all things we look for in storytelling and dynamic characters — notorious, ambitious, conniving, chilling. Blanco was 11 when she helped kidnap a local boy and when his parents did not pay the ransom, she shot him dead. To move mountains of cocaine, the billionaire pioneered the use of children and seniors as drug mules. Blanco was also known as “The Black Widow” for allegedly killing her husbands and lovers. It’s not the first time that Blanco’s story has been dramatized. In the first five minutes. She introduced motorcycle drive-by shootings and designed special lingerie with hidden pockets so her female smugglers could easily carry kilos of coke. Jennifer Lopez performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LIV in Miami on Feb. 2, 2020. ☂ WEATHER ALERT: Expect flooding rain to continue today. And why not? This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. the drug queen in the Lifetime movie “Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story.”, Michael Corleone Blanco shared his mother’s story, SUGGESTED READ: Happy Birthday, J-Lo! The next issue of The Toronto Sun Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. His happy response to Lopez playing his mother was posted on Instagram: “So happy to hear this is going to happen finally! Join the mailing list to receive daily email updates. Yes, he’s named for The Godfather character. Please try again. Her second husband was a drug trafficker and her “in” with the Medellin Cartel. Michael Blanco gave up the life of crime he inherited and now oversees a lifestyle brand called Pure Blanco. Legendary cocaine queen Griselda Blanco and her hair-raising life of crime will be featured in The Godmother, an upcoming biopic starring Jennifer Lopez. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. She committed her first murder at 11, owned a submachine gun studded with emeralds and counted her three husbands among the 200 people she allegedly killed. Check our radar for the latest. She moved (illegally) to the U.S. in the 1970s and built a drug empire through New York, Miami and California. Jennifer Lopez says she's been "forever fascinated by the story of Griselda Blanco," Miami's cocaine godmother. She was born in Colombia and grew up in a Medellin slum. Jennifer Lopez is set to play her in an upcoming film called “The Godmother” that Lopez will produce for STXfilms, according to the entertainment company. After her arrest in 1985, Blanco ran her crime empire from prison. And Blanco figured prominently in the 2006 documentary “Cocaine Cowboys" by Miami filmmakers Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman. the “Queen of Cocaine.” HANDOUT. Michael appears with other drug offspring in a reality series called Cartel Crew; his tears over his mother’s grave in one episode suggest a completely different side to Griselda Blanco — one that may be Lopez’ psychological toehold in  portraying the woman. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. A release date has not been announced. © 2020 Toronto Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. This is not Blanco’s first reel rodeo. “I’ve been forever fascinated by the story of Griselda Blanco and jumped at the chance to play her on screen,” said Lopez in a statement, according to Variety.com. The damage inflicted on Blanco before she learned to give as good as she got includes a violent alcoholic mother, beatings and childhood sexual abuse. !, @jlo is una patrona it’s only right she plays my mother the late great ,GRISELDA, la meramera !! Legendary cocaine queen Griselda Blanco and her hair-raising life of crime will be featured in The Godmother, an upcoming biopic starring Lopez. A welcome email is on its way. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Catherine Zeta-Jones portrayed her in the TV movie Cocaine Godmother and she’s the subject of at least six other features and documentaries. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. She married at 16 and had three sons (all later murdered) with her first husband. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Lisa Rinna squares off against Jennifer Lopez in bikini battle, SUPER BOWL: Jennifer Lopez, Shakira put on one hot halftime show, tap here to see other videos from our team. In a genre dominated by legendary kingpins, I’m eager to shine a spotlight on this anti-hero and excited to partner with STX for the third time so we can bring this compelling, complicated story to life.”. The one person left who can comment on casting for The Godmother is Michael Corleone Blanco, Griselda Blanco’s fourth and only surviving son. People can’t seem to get enough of Miami’s late cocaine godmother Griselda Blanco. “I’ve been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years,” Lopez has said. Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Toronto SUN, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. Jennifer Lopez is set to play her in an upcoming film called “The Godmother” that Lopez … We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. She was deported to Colombia in 2004; in 2012 she was shot dead by an assassin on a motorcycle. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. This Florida Department of Corrections mugshot shows Griselda Blanco, a.k.a. !”, His website contains this quote from his mother: “Weak is dangerous.”. Lopez and STXfilms also collaborated on her upcoming “Hustlers" movie and last year’s “Second Act" comedy. The movie will chronicle the famous Colombian drug queen’s rise to power in the Medellin Cartel in the 1970s and 1980s in Miami. The lurid details of her life are simultaneously repellent and riveting — a complex study of single-minded survival that saw her dominate the drug trade a generation ago. Last year, Catherine Zeta-Jones portrayed the drug queen in the Lifetime movie “Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story.”. Blanco was fatally shot at age 69 in 2012 by motorcycle-riding assassins, a concept she was credited for bringing to Miami. Miami Beach declared July 24 as 'Jennifer Lopez Day’ », South Florida movie theaters reopen: Here’s what you need to know. Endorsement: On Broward’s two ballot questions: vote Yes, then No, Kelly: Dolphins players wonder why QB change was made now | Commentary, How to vote by mail in Florida — and make sure your vote gets counted, ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ review: Trump’s America gets caught with its pants down, Column: As election day approaches, our home screens are sending wildly mixed messages about democracy in action. The diminutive Blanco was a creative businesswoman. Review: ‘Grizzly II: Revenge,’ in which a young George Clooney (and his mullet) are killed by a bear. Legendary cocaine queen Griselda Blanco and her hair-raising life of crime will be featured in The Godmother, an upcoming biopic starring Jennifer Lopez. Blanco was heavily involved in the Miami drug wars of the 1980s, when gobsmacking violence secured her fortune and her reputation as a stone-cold killer. Read more about cookies here. (Had she but thought to use doctors, her head count might have rivalled that of the Sackler family, but that’s another drug story.). People can’t seem to get enough of Miami’s late cocaine godmother Griselda Blanco. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. ☂, Florida reports 5,557 new COVID-19 cases, most in over two months, Footage of Joe Biden comforting Parkland families circulates on social media, Trump posts unedited interview with Lesley Stahl ahead of ‘60 Minutes’ Sunday airing, Florida to investigate all COVID-19 deaths after questions about ‘integrity’ of data, Defend our courts. ASK IRA: Has score yet to be settled on Heat trade of Justise Winslow? Blanco was a pickpocket and a prostitute by age 13. The diminutive Blanco had a capacity for killing that made her a standout even in the ultra-violent world of the cartels. She was 69. And woe betide anyone who got in her way. I’ve been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years,” Lopez has said.