Queens of the Underworld: How Italian Mafia Women Rose to Power
When we think of the Italian Mafia, we picture ruthless men calling the shots—powerful dons, stone-faced enforcers, and shadowy figures orchestrating crime from the top. But lurking in the background, there have always been women—wives, mothers, sisters—who are far more than silent bystanders. These women have whispered in ears, pulled strings, and, in some cases, taken the throne of crime empires themselves.
For decades, the role of women in the mafia was underestimated. They were seen as caretakers, secret-keepers, and loyal supporters. But as history unfolded, these women proved they were just as capable of betrayal, brutality, and power plays as their male counterparts. Some committed murder in cold blood. Others orchestrated entire criminal operations while the men took the fall. And, in some cases, they ruled as the undisputed leaders of their clans.
The Deadly Rise of Mafia Queens
American investigative journalist Barbie Latza Nadeau, author of The Godmother: Murder, Vengeance, and the Bloody Struggle of Mafia Women, has spent years uncovering the truth about these hidden figures. Among them, one name stands out: Assunta ‘Pupetta’ Maresca. A convicted murderer and mafia boss, Maresca defied every expectation of a woman in the mob.
She was a cold-blooded killer and a cunning liar,” Nadeau recalls. “But if you looked past that, she was grandmotherly.
In 1955, after her husband was gunned down, a pregnant Maresca walked into a Naples shop and shot his killer in broad daylight. She served time, but her notoriety only grew. Pupetta became a symbol of female defiance in the mafia, proving that women could handle vendettas just as ruthlessly as men.
The Women Who Took Over
Maresca was not alone. Nadeau’s research uncovered numerous women who stepped into the mafia’s bloodstained hierarchy—often out of necessity.
Many women began by simply keeping secrets, standing by their husbands, or defending their families in court. But in the 1990s, as Italian authorities cracked down on organized crime, a power vacuum formed. With many male bosses behind bars, their wives, daughters, and sisters found themselves at the helm. And they didn’t just hold the fort—they expanded the empire.
Nadeau recalls embedding with three Camorra women who had just been released from prison. “I thought they wanted to be rehabilitated,” she says. “But they wanted back in the game. They all ended up back in prison.”
The Ruthless Mentality of Mafia Women
Unlike Hollywood’s version of mob wives—glamorous and pampered—real mafia women are raised with a strict code. Their job isn’t just to support their men, but to raise the next generation of criminals.
“From childhood, they are taught that revenge is honorable,” Nadeau explains. “They tell their kids that their fathers are in prison not because they are criminals, but because they were protecting the family.”
These women operate within an oppressive double standard. They can order hits, traffic drugs, and launder money, but if they betray their husbands, they are marked for death.
“They accept it because society demands it of them,” Nadeau says. “In the mafia, there’s no divorce. You either end up in a police car or a coffin.”
The Ugly Reality Behind the Glamour
Despite their power, these women aren’t symbols of female empowerment. Nadeau’s book isn’t about glamorizing them—it’s about exposing the corruption that continues to rot Italian society.
Mafia-run businesses cut corners, leading to crumbling infrastructure. Toxic waste gets buried illegally. Corruption seeps into politics. The mafia doesn’t just steal and kill—it poisons communities from the inside out.
I wanted to tell the story of the damage organized crime does to Italy, Nadeau says. “These women may be smart, cunning, and powerful—but they are also part of a machine that destroys lives.
The Legacy of Mafia Women
Even in death, figures like Pupetta Maresca cast a long shadow. When asked what Maresca would think of The Godmother, Nadeau doesn’t hesitate.
She would have loved it. She definitely would have loved being on the cover. But I am so glad she’s dead. This woman is going to haunt me forever, but at least she can’t come get me.
One thing is clear: The underworld has never been a man’s game alone. And as long as the mafia exists, there will always be women willing to take the throne.
