The Mob Wives star sat down with Dr. Oz and told him about her reaction to having stage 4 lung and brain cancer after previously being told she was cancer free.
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Unfortunately, Big Ang wasn’t home, and instead she was in a NY hospital, but she was among family and friends.
“It is with sad regret that we inform you that at 3:01 a.m. Angela Raiola peacefully ended her battle with cancer, and was called home”, read the message.
“YOU (Her fans) were some of the most special people in her world, and she loved you immensely”, said the statement.
Medugno went on to thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support and said that the family asks for privacy and peace during this hard time. When she revealed the news to her fans via Facebook, she encouraged them to take charge of their own personal health.
“This page will remain open as a celebration of who she was and will always be”.
Despite incorrect reports of her death earlier in the week, Big Ang’s passing was confirmed by her friend Vinnie Medugno. In typical Big Ang fashion, we know she would say “Love you my babies!” Her struggles with the disease have also been documented on the current season of “Mob Wives”.
“I think that’s the number one thing that needs to get out about her legacy”.
As per US Magazine, Raiola was also earlier suffering from throat cancer, an illness which started in March a year ago.
In addition to her sister, Raiola is survived by her son, Anthony Donofrio; her daughter, Raquel Donofrio; and two grandchildren.
“Mob Wives” star Angela “Big Ang” Raiola passed away on Thursday, Feb. 18 after battling throat, lung and brain cancer. The series, which focus on a group of Staten Island women whose family member are related to crime and often spend time behind bars, chose to include the late TV personality owing to her connections with Salvatore “Sally Dogs” Lombardi, a deceased captain of the Genovese crime family.
Known for her raspy voice, large stature and love of plastic surgery, she very quickly became a popular member of the “Mob Wives” cast. She starred in the spin-off “Big Ang” and its retooled version, “Miami Monkey“, although both were short-lived.
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The New York Daily News reported that in 2001, Raiola served four months under house arrest after pleading guilty to selling cocaine.
