Pablo Escobar was the head of the notorious Medellín Cartel. He is known as the wealthiest criminal in history. During his life, Escobar had almost $30 billion to his name by the early 1990s (around 64 billion in 2021). This was the money gathered through meticulously-planned, nefarious, and often murderous means.
Known as the King of Cocaine, he still had a private life that he liked to keep hidden. Like all of us, he needed the company of those he loved. The rare photos of Pablo Escobar reveal more of the soft side of the notorious gangster.
A Colombian Special Operations team killed Pablo Escobar at the age of 44. However, he lived one of the fullest, most fascinating, and most eventful lives of any figure in history.
Rare Photos Of Pablo Escobar And His Wife
This is Pablo Escobar's rare photo with his then-girlfriend, future wife, Maria Victoria. Pablo was 24, and she was 13. At the time, her family didn't approve of their relationship.
However, the pair would remain together until Escobar's death.
In March 1976, Pablo Escobar married Maria Victoria after dating for two years.
She was only 15 on their wedding day. This rare photo of Pablo Escobar and his wife shows the softer side of the notorious figure.
Escobar's Beginings
While still a teenager, Escobar began a life of crime. His early illegal activities included selling fake diplomas, smuggling stereo equipment, and stealing tombstones to resell.
Pablo Escobar's criminal career began with petty street scams.
He spent his early years counterfeiting lottery tickets, selling contraband cigarettes, and stealing cars. It was later that he decided to set his sights a little higher.
Private Life Through Pablo Escobar's Rare Photos
Even though his life had taken a turn for busy, Pablo Escobar still had time to enjoy the little things. He was often seen doing everything things, like playing a local soccer game.
In one of Pablo Escobar's rare photos, he can be seen at a soccer game.
He was a rabid fan of soccer and invested millions into the local team.
Rare Photos Of Pablo Escobar With His Son Juan
Soon after his marriage, Pablo Escobar had his first child, Juan Pablo, born in 1977. He looked like a model father.
This is one of Pablo Escobar's rare photos taken in the 70s when Pablo's family expanded.
This is a photo of Pablo in his newly constructed house. It was made on Escobar's estate 100 miles east of Medellin, Colombia. Escobar and his son watched television in the early 1980s.
The eight square mile estate included a Spanish colonial house, a sculpture park, a private airport, and a zoo.
During the early 1980s, Pablo Escobar frequently visited the United States with his family. At some point, he took a photo with his son in front of the White House.
Juan Pablo would come to denounce the actions of his father. He also released a documentary entitled Sins Of My Father, which chronicles his attempts at reconciliation with the sons of Colombian politicians that Pablo Escobar assassinated.
Rare Photos Of Pablo Escobar And His Daughter
In 1984 the Escobars had welcomed their second child, Manuela, into the world.
Manuela quickly became Escobar's princess. When she asked for a unicorn for her birthday, Escobar bought her a horse and stapled a cone to its head and wings to its back.
Escobar Spoiled His Children
Quite a few rare photos of Pablo Escobar capture him as he is tending to his children. Even though a notorious gangster, he was a family man.
Pablo Escobar was so committed to the safety of his children that when he was on the run from the authorities and his daughter began suffering from hypothermia. The drug lord burned over $2 million to keep her warm.
The family life of Pablo Escobar was never in danger. He always gave enough time to his family.
The Associates Of Pablo Escobar
Each day, the Medellín Cartel smuggled 15 tonnes of cocaine into the United States.
This was worth $60 million. That is $1.8 billion a month, or $22 billion a year.
Over $4,000 a month of the takings was spent on rubber bands to keep their money together.
Rare Photos Of Pablo Escobar Running For Congress
In 1982, Escobar successfully ran for Congress in Colombia. This was a part of a larger strategy to prevent extradition to the United States.
But the election victory turned out to be Pyrrhic: the heightened scrutiny brought to light Escobar's criminal activities and his history of murdering police, judges, and politicians.
A few of Pablo Escobar's rare photos were taken with his associates during his congressional campaign. This was quite a change from his gangster life.
Many Nicknames Of Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar had many different nicknames during his life.
Many referred to him as Don Pablo, but other monikers ranged from El Padrino (The Godfather), El Patrón (The Boss) and El Señor (The Lord) to El Mágico (The Magician), El Pablito (little Pablo) and El Zar de la Cocaína (The Tsar of Cocaine).
His Wealth Was Limitless
One of Pablo Escobar's rare photos shows him on his jeep, drinking a beer. Talk about a good life!
With his vast fortune, Pablo Escobar bought his way into the Colombian Congress. It granted him immediate judicial immunity.
The position also entitled him to a diplomatic visa, allowing the drug lord to travel to Miami, where he bought several mansions.
Pablo Escobar created and lived in a luxurious estate called Hacienda Nápoles. He had planned to construct a Greek-style citadel near it.
However, the construction of the citadel was started but never finished.
Escobars had a private zoo, with hippos among other animals.
Even The Prison He Was Kept In Was Luxurious
During the threat of extradition, Escobar made a deal with the Colombian Government to serve five years in his native country.
He got to choose his guards and also design and build his very own personal prison. The result was La Catedral (The Cathedral), which included a football field, jacuzzi bar, and waterfalls on its premises.
Pablo Escobar's Death
Colombian police and military forces stormed the rooftop where drug lord Pablo Escobar was shot dead.
Just moments earlier, there was an exchange of gunfire between security forces and Escobar and his bodyguard. This happened on December 2, 1993.
After Pablo's death, the ranch, the zoo, and the citadel were confiscated and given to low-income families in the 1990s.
