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- "Big Ang" Angela Raiola Lived A Big Life On Mob Wives
Like almost all reality shows, Mob Wives was never short on interpersonal drama, funny moments, and interesting cast members. Of all who came and went on the VH1 show, one of the biggest personalities was Angela Raiola, A.K.A. Big Ang.
Big Ang is the niece of Salvatore "Sally Dogs" Lombardi of the Gambino crime syndicate and was the illustrious girlfriend of several gangsters according to NY Daily News. She and her family entertained Mob Wives fans almost every time they were on screen after they debuted. Big Ang was so popular she even got her own spin-offs, Big Ang and Miami Monkey. Before she tragically died of lung cancer in 2016, Ang gave some intense, quotable, and hilarious moments for fans to enjoy.
UPDATE: 2023/06/26 19:09 EST BY LANE VASQUEZ
"Big Ang" Angela Raiola Lived A Big Life On Mob Wives
Angela Raiola's time on Mob Wives is still iconic today, as the reality star known as Big Ang worked hard to keep her fellow wives on track, tried to guide her son toward the right path, and even worked on some self-reflection in her marriage to partner Neil Murphy. Angela Raiola passed away in 2016, but her big moments from Mob Wives live on today.
10 The Mob Wives Got Real About Mob Wife Code
In a video that was a supercut of the cast telling fans what it means to be a Mob Wife, one word came up constantly: loyalty. Every wife and mother gave their candid answer about what loyalty meant to them, and for Big Ang, it meant people should, "Watch out!" when anyone starts talking about her family.
"Once I get started, I don't stop." In the following clips of Mob Wives, the women get into intense fistfights because of what each other says about their families, Ang chimes in with her two cents, "This is why you don't talk about families. Look at the outcome."
Ang also reiterates in the video that Mob Wives are supposed to have each other's backs.
9 Angela Raiola Had A Heart Attack Scare
Big Ang's cancer battle was not the only time she fell victim to a terrifying health scare. In the second episode of her spin-off reality show Big Ang, Ang has a heart attack scare.
After recovering from the incident, she tried to put herself on the path to a healthier life. She promised to quit drinking and smoking, but despite her best efforts Ang still succumbed to cancer at the age of 55.
8 Big Ang Always Wanted Unity Among The Wives
Ang did her best to keep the wives united while she was still alive, despite the times she got caught up in the drama too. It is also no secret that Ang, and most of the wives, love to party.
To celebrate Drita and Karen making up with each other, Ang invites the wives and the kids to Delmonicos, a famous steak house.
Tensions mounted when some wives indicated that the sit-down did not actually patch things up, but when it was Drita revealed she was messing with everyone the whole party got a good laugh.
7 When She Broke Down About AJ
Part of being a Mob Wife, according to "the code" is an endearing and unquestionable love for family. Say what one might about the mafia and the crimes of their fathers, sons, and husbands, it cannot be easy to live a normal life while someone you love is locked up.
So when Ang's only son AJ went to prison, it is only understandable that even she, the famously strong one of the show, broke down while working on renovations to her house. For those wondering, AJ is out and is enjoying a comfortable life as a father.
6 Big Ang's Sit Down With Victoria Gotti
Big Ang needed advice on dealing with loved ones in prison and how to keep a family going through imprisonment. Who did she turn to? None other than Victoria Gotti, John Gotti's daughter.
"If this person can't help me, nobody can," were Ang's exact words as the "overdue" conversation began.
Gotti advised Ang on how to diffuse the drama going on between the wives and their lives with jailed loved ones.
5 Big Ang Turned To A Psychic For Help
People turn to all kinds of surprising sources when they need advice, understanding, and support. Ang, like some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, turned to a psychic for help. According to Ang, this was far from the only time she had done so. "I visit psychics a lot. This is a normal thing for me. I'm very superstitious."
Ang was hoping to get information as to how and when AJ's life would change for the better.
4 Ang Worked To End Mob Wives Drama
Despite doing her best to minimize the drama between wives, Ang was still very much caught up in some of the show's most heated moments. When Drita and Ang arrived at Natalie's Halloween party, they were less than pleased to learn what was being said about them in Renee's texts to Natalie.
Renee was convinced that Ang and Drita were going to "set her up," at the Halloween party, insulting Ang and Drita's integrity.
3 Marriage Counseling Gave Ang A Wakeup Call
Ang had a rocky relationship with her partner Neil Murphy, but the pair did their best to make it work. They even went to couples counseling and only on multiple occasions, the counselor was not shy about giving Ang some harsh reality checks.
The counselor, Dr. Jenn, was straight with Ang about the fact she needed to allow herself to be vulnerable at times if she wanted the marriage to work. She was also not shy about pointing out that Ang needs to adjust her attitude and stop making it always about her and stop always blaming Neil.
2 Ang's Lung Cancer Diagnosis Was Devastating
Ang was eventually sent to a specialist who confirmed her worst fears. Ang was diagnosed with lung cancer and the doctor confirmed the nodule in her lungs was growing at a rate that was going to be challenging to treat.
Ang almost had a breakdown in the doctor's office because she had already had throat cancer barely a year before. The doctor did her best to console Ang, who was all alone. Ang promised she would be strong and fight on, but sadly, cancer won in the end.
1 Big Ang Had Some Relatable Parting Thoughts
After being diagnosed with stage four brain and lung cancer, Big Ang got very real in her last testimonial. Her children encouraged her to stay positive, but that didn't stop Ang from being brutally honest; in footage from Mob Wives, she exclaimed "I f**king hate cancer!"
Angela "Big Ang" Raiola died on February 16, 2016, from pneumonia and other complications.
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