Big Ang (Angela Raiola) – Death, Before Surgery, Husband, Daughter

Angela Raiola, aka Big Ang, was a fan favorite on the VH1 reality series Mob Wives which followed the lives of mob-bound women. Unfortunately, Big Ang’s reality TV fame didn’t last as long as fans would have liked, as she passed away in February 2016 after a brief battle with cancer. Follow us as we reveal interesting facts about Big Ang’s life.

Facts Big Ang (Angela Raiola)

Big Ang was born as Angela Joyce Raiola on Jun.30, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the niece of drug dealer Genovese and capo Salvatore Lombardi, aka Sally Dogs. Big Ang grew up among drug dealers and cartel members and soon became part of their lifestyle when she began operating mob hangouts that would become notorious.

She was the owner of The Drunken Monkey, a bar on Staten Island, which operated from 2007 until 2015, when it was closed due to her run-ins with the law.

Most of Angela’s bars were used as treatment centers for drug trafficking between Brooklyn and New York. In 2001, Ang found herself on the wrong side of the law after she was arrested with several wraps of cocaine in her purse. Along with 15 other people, she was convicted of drug dealing.

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD) who made the arrest, Ang had close ties to a drug dealer who was serving a prison sentence. Information about his activities was obtained through an undercover agent posing as a drug dealer.

Ang was charged with 6 counts. She pleaded guilty and was free on $100,000 bond. In 2003, she was sentenced to three years probation with the expectation of being housebound for four months. Ang was among the 9 defendants who escaped prison.

Long after all of his issues with the law had been ironed out, Big Ang in 2011 tried his hands on reality TV. She toured as a regular cast member for the second season of the VH1 series Mob Wives, which premiered on New Years Day 2012.

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Big Ang’s larger than life personality has earned his many fans and ultimately made him the star of the show. She then recorded her own spin-off show titled Big Ang. After running for one season with 10 episodes, Big Ang was revamped for another spin-off titled Miami Monkey.

The spinoff’s name comes from Ang’s Miami branch of the Staten Island bar. She had moved to Miami to have the show filmed. However, after his bar was closed by authorities due to his previous charges, Miami Monkey was canceled in July 2014.

Angela’s fame earned her other gigs, including an appearance in Scary Movie 5 (2013) as the Real Housewife and in Staten Island Summer (2015). She has appeared as a guest on TV shows such as the Wendy Williams, Bethenny, The Real and Dr. Oz Show series. The latter became his last television appearance before his death.

Big Ang has also made appearances on other reality TV shows such as Celebrity Wife Swap, Couples Therapy and David Tutera’s CELEBrations.

Before surgery, death

Ang in March 2015 started experiencing unbearable pain in his throat and immediately sought medical attention. She was diagnosed with strep throat and was given antibiotics which did little or nothing to relieve the pain.

About two months later, Ang visited a throat specialist who diagnosed him with throat cancer after finding a tumor the size of a lemon in his lungs.

Immediate surgery was performed and the entire tumor was removed. However, it was too late for Angela as the cancer had spread to other parts of her body, including her lungs and brain.

She was subjected to chemotherapy which did little to curb the disease. Angela passed away on February 18, 2016, surrounded by her family.

Angie, before her death, warned the public about the dangers of smoking, as her death was caused by cancer resulting from 40 years of heavy smoking. Ang smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day.

“If you smoke, quit now and if you’ve never smoked, don’t start,” the hoarse-voiced star warned.

Following her death, her Mob Wives co-stars, her family, including her sister Janine Detore who appeared on Mob Wives, and her children took to social media to send tributes.

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Husband – Neil Murphy

Big Ang married a certain Neil Murphy in 2009, they remained married until his death. Although the couple became estranged, Neil did well to stay by his wife’s side throughout her illness.

After Angela’s passing, Niel used his social media accounts to post many memories of himself and Ang.

Daughter

Big Ang left behind two children, including daughter Raquel Donofrio and son Anthony Donofrio aka AJ. She had them both out of wedlock. His daughter, Raquel, is the first to be born. His birthday is January 13, 1985.

Despite raising her children as a single parent, BigAng has allowed her daughter Raquel to maintain a close bond with her father, Robert. Raquel had a close relationship with her maternal and paternal grandparents. She served as her Aunt Janine’s bridesmaid at her wedding.

Unlike her mother, Raquel did not follow gang life. She has two master’s degrees and is married with children. Big Ang’s son is also married. On August 28, 2015, in a lavish ceremony, he married his fiancée Gabriella Celestino. Big Ang’s children made her a grandmother to 6 children.

She was 55 years old. RIP Big Ang.