"Mob Wives" star Angela Raiola, who was popular as Big Ang owing to her six-foot tall figure, was announced dead early in the morning of Feb. 18, Thursday. She was 55.
Raiola was battling with stage IV brain and lung cancer. The news of her death was confirmed by her close friend Vinnie Medugno who took to the star's Twitter account to address her fans.
"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.
As soon as the news of Raiola's death came out, fellow "Mob Wives" co-stars rallied around to express their grief. Carla Facciolo, who was one the main characters in the VH1's show's first three seasons, posted a pic on Instagram along side the departed personality to pay her respect.
Other fellow stars to pay respects to late Raiola were Drita D'Avanzo, Natalie Guercio, Birttany Fogarty, Ramona Rizzo, Natalie Guercio, Marissa Jade and Karen Gravano among others.
Raiola first received TV exposure when "Mob Wives" featured her in the second season. The series, which focus on a group of Staten Island women whose family member are related to crime and often spend time behind bars, decided to include the late TV personality owing to her connections with Salvatore "Sally Dogs" Lombardi, a deceased captain of the Genovese crime family.
Raiola was a niece of Lomardi and managed and owned several Mafia hangouts throughout the years. In collaboration with her cousin Sallyann Lombardi, she owned the bar Monkey Island.
Although Raiola herself was never married to a Mafia man, but she had said she admittedly dated crime-connected men in the past. Raiola's uncle was also close friends with fellow "Mob Wives" cast member Karen's father Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, New York Daily News reported.
Raiola was one of the most popular characters of "Mob Wives," which is now in its sixth season. She was known as a peacemaker when other cast members clashed and easily proved to be a standout.
Raiola will be seen in the remaining upcoming episodes of "Mob Wives," season 6 Yahoo News reported. Check out the trailer of the same below: