Charles Cosby, a former drug dealer and the man behind the book Hustling with the Godmother: My Life and Times with Griselda Blanco, is known for his ties to one of the most notorious drug lords in history—Griselda Blanco.
Born into a troubled family and caught in the world of crime, Cosby’s life story is a blend of danger, romance, and betrayal.
In this article, we will explore Charles Cosby’s net worth, early life, career, and personal experiences that shaped his path.
- Biography Table: Charles Cosby
- What is Charles Cosby’s Net Worth?
- Early Life of Charles Cosby
- The Connection with Griselda Blanco
- Falling Out with Griselda Blanco
- Personal Life: A Complex Relationship with Griselda Blanco
- Charles Cosby’s Book and Legacy
- Conclusion
- People May Ask
- 1. What is Charles Cosby’s current net worth?
- 2. Who was Griselda Blanco?
- 3. How did Charles Cosby get involved with Griselda Blanco?
- 4. What happened to Charles Cosby after leaving Griselda Blanco?
Biography Table: Charles Cosby
| Full Name | Charles Cosby |
|---|---|
| Born | December 22, 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Fresno, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Former drug dealer, author |
| Net Worth | $100,000 |
| Occupation | Author, former drug dealer |
| Notable Relationships | Griselda Blanco (former drug lord) |
| Books | Hustling with the Godmother: My Life and Times with Griselda Blanco (2021) |
| Years Active | 1990s-2000s |
| Spouse | Single (formerly involved with Griselda Blanco) |
| Children | Not publicly known |
What is Charles Cosby’s Net Worth?
Charles Cosby has an estimated net worth of $100,000. This figure is modest compared to the vast wealth he amassed during his involvement in the drug trade, particularly with Griselda Blanco, the infamous “Cocaine Godmother.”
Despite his rise to wealth through illegal activities, Cosby’s financial situation has since stabilized, but his past has left a mark on his legacy.
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Early Life of Charles Cosby
Born on December 22, 1967, in Fresno, California, Charles Cosby grew up in Oakland with three older siblings. His family life, initially described as idyllic, took a turn when his father’s drug use and homosexual affairs caused the marriage to break down.
This turbulent home environment shaped Cosby’s early years.
Cosby was an above-average student, attending schools like Brookfield Elementary and James Madison Middle School. In his teenage years, he aspired to become a lawyer, but by the time he reached high school at John C.
Fremont High, he found himself drawn into the world of drugs. His early involvement in selling drugs led him down a much darker path, one that would intersect with the notorious Griselda Blanco.
The Connection with Griselda Blanco
In 1991, Charles Cosby initiated a correspondence with Griselda Blanco, who was incarcerated at the time. The two started exchanging letters and phone calls, which eventually led to in-person meetings.
Cosby entered into Blanco’s drug smuggling operation, marking the beginning of a significant shift in his life. As Cosby put it in the documentary Cocaine Cowboys 2, “I was a millionaire 45 days after meeting her.”
Griselda Blanco was a Colombian drug lord who played a central role in the Medellín Cartel, responsible for smuggling large amounts of cocaine into the U.S. and creating an empire of violence and wealth. Under Blanco’s mentorship, Cosby’s drug dealings expanded, and his fortune grew significantly.
Falling Out with Griselda Blanco
However, Cosby’s relationship with Blanco was not without its issues. In 1995, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office subpoenaed him, and he was forced to lie about the extent of Blanco’s operations, downplaying her wealth from a few million to just $2 million.
Eventually, Cosby severed ties with Blanco after becoming uncomfortable with her increasingly violent behavior and criminal activities, including a plan to kidnap John F. Kennedy Jr. in an attempt to secure her release from prison.
After Blanco’s release from prison in 2004 and her subsequent deportation to Colombia, Cosby distanced himself even further from the drug world. Blanco’s life ended in 2012 when she was assassinated in Colombia, but Cosby’s involvement with her continued to haunt him.
Personal Life: A Complex Relationship with Griselda Blanco
Charles Cosby’s relationship with Griselda Blanco was both professional and personal. In interviews, Cosby described Blanco as a highly attractive woman with hazel eyes, a beautiful smile, and dimples that left an unforgettable impression on him.
Despite their age difference—Blanco being nearly 20 years older than Cosby—the two developed a romantic relationship.
However, things took a dark turn when Cosby began seeing another woman. Blanco, enraged by this betrayal, ordered a hit on him. Cosby narrowly survived an assassination attempt in California, where two gunmen shot at him while he was driving his Corvette.
Thanks to a bulletproof vest, he survived the attack, but it marked the end of his direct ties to Blanco and the dangerous world of drug trafficking.
Charles Cosby’s Book and Legacy
In 2021, Charles Cosby published a memoir, Hustling with the Godmother: My Life and Times with Griselda Blanco. The book offers an insider’s view of his tumultuous time in the drug trade and his relationship with Blanco.
The foreword by New York Times bestselling author Mark Ebner paints Cosby as someone who survived the dangerous underworld of drug cartels and lived to tell the tale. His story continues to captivate audiences and shines a light on the personal consequences of the drug trade.
Conclusion
Charles Cosby’s life is a cautionary tale of ambition, betrayal, and survival. From his humble beginnings in Oakland to his rise in the cocaine trade alongside Griselda Blanco, Cosby’s story intertwines with one of the most dangerous criminal operations in history.
His net worth of $100,000 today stands in stark contrast to the millions he made during his illicit dealings, yet his experiences have led him to a life of reflection and storytelling.
Through his book and public appearances, Charles Cosby has shared his unique perspective on the world of drug trafficking, offering insight into the life of a man who once played a central role in one of the most notorious drug operations of the 20th century.
People May Ask
1. What is Charles Cosby’s current net worth?
Charles Cosby’s estimated net worth is around $100,000. Although he made millions during his time in the drug trade, his net worth has significantly decreased over time.
2. Who was Griselda Blanco?
Griselda Blanco, also known as the “Cocaine Godmother,” was a Colombian drug lord who played a major role in the Medellín Cartel. She is known for her brutal tactics and massive cocaine smuggling operations into the United States.
3. How did Charles Cosby get involved with Griselda Blanco?
Cosby began writing to Blanco while she was in prison in 1991. Their relationship evolved, and Blanco eventually brought Cosby into her drug operation, which skyrocketed his earnings.
4. What happened to Charles Cosby after leaving Griselda Blanco?
After severing ties with Blanco, Cosby distanced himself from the drug trade. He later became an author and published his memoir, Hustling with the Godmother, about his experiences with Blanco and the drug world.
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