Netflix’s new limited series “Griselda” is creating a buzz. Starring Sofía Vergara as Griselda Blanco, the notorious Colombian drug lord known as the “Godmother of Cocaine,” the show takes a more humanizing approach to her story. In this article, we’ll fact-check the series and compare it to Blanco’s actual life.

Who was Griselda Blanco?

Born in Colombia in 1943, Griselda Blanco grew up in a time when the cocaine trade was booming. She experienced a difficult childhood, getting involved in drugs, sex work, and crime at a young age. She faced abuse, neglect, and was even trafficked, according to Eric Newman, the co-creator of “Griselda.”

Blanco became infamous for smuggling tons of cocaine from Colombia into the United States. She was allegedly responsible for the deaths of more than 200 people and ruled over the drug trade in Colombia for nearly five decades. However, her reign came to a violent end when she was gunned down in 2012.

Did Griselda really kill her husband?

In the series, Griselda shoots her husband, Alberto Bravo, in a fit of rage. While there is no evidence to support this specific incident, Griselda did accuse Alberto of stealing millions from the business and killed him during a shootout, as reported by Vice.

How many sons did Griselda Blanco have?

Contrary to the series, Griselda never had children with Alberto in real life. However, she did have three sons with her first husband, Carlos Trujillo. Carlos was a pimp and forger, and Griselda had him killed when business got in the way of their marriage.

What happened to Griselda’s youngest son, Michael Corleone?

In the show, Griselda has a child named Michael Corleone with Darío Sepulveda. But in reality, Griselda had her youngest son assassinated when Darío left her and took their son away for protection.

What didn’t make it into Netflix’s ‘Griselda’?

According to Eric Newman, when creating a limited series like “Griselda,” there is limited space to include every detail. In the case of Griselda’s story, certain events and characters were condensed or left out. For example, the show didn’t include a story about how Griselda and Darío met, where Darío coolly killed three men who were harassing Griselda at a restaurant.

How was Griselda Blanco convicted?

After evading the police for years, Griselda was finally arrested in 1985 by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. She was charged with conspiracy to manufacture, import, and distribute cocaine. Griselda was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. She faced additional charges in Florida, including three counts of first-degree murder. In 1998, she pleaded guilty and was granted compassionate release in 2004 before being deported to Colombia.

Is Karol G’s character based on a real person?

Karol G, the Colombian singer/songwriter, makes her acting debut in “Griselda.” She portrays a character named Carla, who works for Griselda. However, according to Eric Newman, Carla is not based on a real person.

Why is Netflix being sued by Griselda’s family?

The estate of Griselda Blanco has filed a lawsuit against Netflix and Sofia Vergara, alleging the unauthorized use of their family’s image and likeness in the show. Blanco’s son Michael is seeking damages, claiming that his “artistic literary work” and his likeness were used without permission or credit. Lawsuits of this nature are not uncommon, as Eric Newman has previously dealt with similar suits while working on “Narcos.”

In conclusion, while “Griselda” is a fictionalized account of Griselda Blanco’s life, it aims to offer a more intimate and humanizing perspective. Some aspects of the show differ from the real events, but the series explores the extraordinary rise and fall of a woman in a male-dominated world of drugs and violence.