What Happened To Dario Sepúlveda? All About The Tragic Life Of Griselda Blanco’s Third Husband

Griselda Blanco, often dubbed the “Godmother of Cocaine,” was known for her ruthless leadership of the Medellín Cartel, her influence over the cocaine trade in Miami, and her complex personal life. One of the most pivotal figures in her life was her third husband, Dario Sepúlveda. His life and tragic death are intertwined with Blanco’s criminal empire, marked by violence, love, and betrayal. But who was Dario Sepúlveda, and what happened to him?

Who Was Dario Sepúlveda?

Real-life Dario Sepulveda.
Source: Michael Corleone Blanco/Facebook

Born in Colombia, Dario Sepúlveda’s path crossed with Griselda Blanco’s in the late 1970s, when he was working as an assassin for the infamous drug cartel. Initially hired to kill her, Dario’s mission took an unexpected turn as he fell in love with Blanco instead. By 1978, they were married, and their turbulent relationship would play out against the backdrop of Griselda’s growing drug empire.

In the Netflix series, Dario is portrayed as a hitman who, despite initially being ordered to kill Blanco, ends up marrying her. The show depicts a passionate yet strained relationship, with Griselda’s ruthless business dealings and her obsession with maintaining control leading to infidelity and jealousy. But, like many parts of Griselda’s life, the truth behind their relationship and its eventual demise is shrouded in complexity and intrigue. The couple had one child together, Michael Corleone Blanco, a name inspired by the infamous character from The Godfather series.

The Downfall of Their Relationship

Michael Corleone Blanco and his mother Griselda Blanco.
Source: X

As depicted in the Netflix series Griselda, Dario and Griselda’s relationship began to unravel after the birth of their son. In the series, Dario becomes increasingly disillusioned with Griselda’s focus on her drug empire over their family. He is depicted as a man who wanted more for his son than the dangerous life of a drug lord.

According to real-life accounts, Dario grew frustrated with Griselda’s obsessive drive for power and wealth. He had come to believe she was an unfit mother, too focused on cocaine trafficking and addiction to care for their son. Their relationship became increasingly strained, culminating in a violent argument where Dario expressed his discontent with her parenting.

Dario made a bold decision—he took their son Michael and moved to Colombia in an attempt to protect him from Griselda’s chaotic world and ensure a safer, more stable life. However, Griselda was not someone to let go of control easily, and she was not about to let her husband and child escape her reach.

The Tragic End: Dario’s Murder

Michael Corleone Blanco, and Dario Sepulveda. Miami, 1981.
Source: X

In 1983, Dario Sepúlveda’s life came to a violent end. While living in Colombia, he was ambushed and murdered by assassins. The killers, dressed as police officers, confronted Dario outside his home. According to reports from people who were close to the situation, Dario attempted to flee but was shot down in front of his young son, Michael.

Max Mermelstein, a former associate of Griselda, confirmed that she had ordered the hit on her third husband. Mermelstein described how Dario, while attempting to escape, was killed, with Michael desperately running to his father’s side as he lay dying in the street. The murder was brutal, and its execution was carried out with the chilling precision that Griselda was known for.

This execution is a stark reflection of Griselda’s infamous reputation as the “Black Widow,” a moniker earned due to the suspected involvement in the deaths of her previous husbands. Despite never being charged, it is believed that she orchestrated Dario’s murder, an action that would further cement her fearsome legacy in the criminal underworld.

Although Michael Blanco, Dario’s son, has denied his mother’s involvement in his father’s death, many accounts suggest that the orders came from her. It was believed that Dario’s defection, taking their son away to Colombia, had been the breaking point for Griselda, and she saw his death as a way to reassert control.

Who Was Michael Corleone Blanco, Dario’s Son?

Michael Corleone Blanco, Dario’s Son.
Source: Aram Hovsepian/MEGA

Dario’s legacy lives on through his son, Michael Corleone Blanco, whose name was inspired by the iconic character from The Godfather. Michael’s childhood was marked by violence, upheaval, and loss, with the death of his father and his mother’s eventual imprisonment shaping much of his early life. After Dario’s death, Michael was raised by relatives, largely outside the criminal lifestyle that defined his parents.

As an adult, Michael Blanco sought to distance himself from the violent world of his family, though he couldn’t entirely escape it. In 2012, Michael was arrested on charges of cocaine trafficking, and he later appeared on the reality series Cartel Crew, where he opened up about his family’s history and his struggles with the cartel lifestyle.

Griselda Blanco’s Family Legacy

Griselda Blanco’s life is forever tied to the tragic events surrounding her family. Her three husbands all met untimely ends, and her son Michael continues to grapple with the impact of his mother’s ruthless actions. While Griselda has been depicted in various media, including the Griselda Netflix series starring Sofia Vergara, Michael has made it clear that he feels his family’s story should be told on his terms.

In 2024, Michael Blanco filed a lawsuit against Netflix over the Griselda series, claiming that his mother’s story was being exploited without proper compensation or permission. He has spent years telling his side of the story through interviews and his book, My Mother, the Godmother, offering an intimate look at the life of the woman who both shaped and destroyed his family.

FAQs

Was Dario Sepúlveda really an assassin? Yes, in real life, Dario was involved in the criminal underworld as an assassin before he became involved with Griselda Blanco.

What happened to Dario’s son, Michael Corleone Blanco? Michael Blanco grew up away from the drug trade, later becoming involved in the entertainment industry and appearing in the reality show Cartel Crew.

Did Griselda Blanco kill Dario Sepúlveda? While it is widely believed that Griselda ordered Dario’s murder, Michael Blanco has denied her involvement in his father’s death.

How did Griselda’s criminal life impact her family? Griselda’s actions and the violent world she inhabited had a lasting impact on her family, particularly on her children, who grew up in the shadow of her criminal empire.