When people think of drug lords in Mexico, one name always comes up — Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo. He was one of the most powerful men in the drug world and led the Guadalajara Cartel in the 1980s. But behind this famous and feared man was a quiet woman — María Elvira Murillo.
Many people don’t know much about her. She was his wife during his rise to power, but she later walked away from that dangerous life. Who is she really? What happened to her? And where is she now?
In this article, we’ll look at the full story of María Elvira Murillo, the real woman behind the legend of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s wife. We’ll talk about her life, their marriage, the secrets, and her quiet disappearance from the public eye.
María Elvira Murillo Quick Bio
| Full Name | María Elvira Murillo |
| Known As | Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s wife |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Birthplace | Mexico |
| Age | Unknown |
| Birthday | Not public |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex‑Husband | Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo |
| Children | 2 confirmed (Miguel Jr., Abril) |
| Total Children | Up to 17 (unconfirmed) |
| Profession | Businesswoman |
| Company | Delia Real Estate |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
| Current Location | Mexico (likely Sinaloa) |
| Social Media | Not active |
| Famous For | Being a drug lord’s wife |
Who Is María Elvira Murillo?
María Elvira Murillo is known as the second wife of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, the drug lord also called El Padrino (The Godfather). But she’s more than just a name linked to a powerful man.
She was a Mexican businesswoman who once lived in great wealth. But today, she lives far from the public, keeping her life completely private. There are no interviews, no photos, and no social media.
Many people are curious about her because she lived through one of the most dangerous times in Mexico’s history — yet she stayed silent. Her story is full of mystery, strength, and quiet courage.
Early Life and Background
There’s not much known about María Elvira’s early life. She was born and raised in Mexico, but the details about her family, childhood, or education are not public.
Some reports say she may have come from a Catholic, traditional family. But nothing has been confirmed. She has always chosen to stay out of the spotlight, even during her marriage.
While her husband was gaining fame and fear, María stayed quiet. She never chased attention or power. That’s one of the reasons people find her so interesting — because she never tried to be famous.
How She Became Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s Wife
María Elvira Murillo became the second wife of Félix Gallardo after his first wife passed away from leukemia. Their marriage happened around the time when Gallardo was building his drug empire.
At first, their life seemed full of success and power. Gallardo was growing stronger in the drug world, and María stood beside him. They lived in Guadalajara, the heart of the cartel’s activity.
She wasn’t just a wife at home — she was part of that world. People say she understood what her husband was doing, and for a while, she supported him.
Life With a Drug Lord
Living as Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s wife came with luxury, but also with risk. María Elvira Murillo lived in a world filled with money, power, and fear.
They had everything — fancy homes, powerful friends, and a strong social circle. They were even godparents at a wedding connected to a Mexican governor. That shows how connected they were to powerful people.
But behind the nice clothes and big houses, there was danger. Gallardo was running one of the most dangerous drug cartels in the world. And María was right there with him.
María Elvira Murillo and the Real Estate Business
María Elvira wasn’t just a housewife. She also helped run a business called Delia Real Estate, which she co-owned with her husband.
This company looked like a normal real estate business on the outside. But many believe it was also used to hide drug money. It was part of how the cartel kept its money clean and hidden.
In 1989, after Gallardo was arrested, the Mexican government seized the company’s money and property. María lost her business and most of her wealth. It was a big turning point in her life.
Why María Elvira Murillo Left Miguel Félix Gallardo
Even before Gallardo’s arrest, things had already started to fall apart between them. Their marriage was full of pain, distance, and betrayal.
Gallardo spent all his time running the cartel. He also had affairs with other women and gave them expensive gifts. María felt ignored, unloved, and hurt. She was no longer the center of his world.
She tried to stay strong for a while. But after years of coldness and lies, she made a hard decision — she left him. She took their children and went back to Sinaloa, away from the chaos and fear.
Did María Elvira Murillo Help Run the Cartel?
Many people wonder if María Elvira Murillo was just a quiet wife or something more. Some reports suggest she may have helped behind the scenes, especially with business and money.
A few even called her the “Queen of the Pacific,” though this name is often used for another woman linked to the drug world. Still, the rumors stayed because she was so close to Gallardo during his rise to power.
Even with these stories, María was never arrested or officially accused of running the cartel. She stayed silent. She never defended herself or spoke out, which only made the mystery grow.
María Elvira Murillo’s Children and Family Life
María Elvira Murillo and Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo had two known children — Miguel Jr. and Abril. Some sources say they may have had more, possibly up to 17 children, but this has never been confirmed.
After the divorce, María took full care of the kids. She raised them alone while staying far away from the media and the spotlight. It couldn’t have been easy, but she chose peace over power.
In 2011, María and her children wrote a public letter. They said Gallardo was not being treated well in prison. This showed that even after their split, she still cared about his well-being, at least as the father of her children.
What Happened After the Divorce?
After leaving Gallardo, María returned to Sinaloa. This was a big change. She had gone from a life of money and luxury to a quiet, hidden life.
She stayed completely away from the media. There are no interviews, no recent photos, and no news about her in public. She never tried to tell her side of the story.
Even after all the drama — the arrests, the trials, the news coverage — María Elvira Murillo disappeared from the public world. And she has stayed that way ever since.
Where Is María Elvira Murillo Now?
So where is Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s wife today? That’s the big question. The truth is — no one really knows.
Most people believe she’s still living somewhere in Mexico, possibly still in Sinaloa. But her exact location is private. She has done a good job staying out of sight for decades.
She doesn’t use Instagram, Facebook, or any social media. If you see profiles under her name, they’re not real. María has chosen to live quietly, far from the past.
María Elvira Murillo in Narcos, Mexico
If you’ve seen Narcos: Mexico on Netflix, then you’ve seen a version of María’s life. She was played by Chilean actress Fernanda Urrejola.
In the show, María starts as a loving wife who supports Gallardo’s work. But over time, she becomes unhappy. Gallardo grows distant, cold, and unfaithful. She tries to save the marriage, but he pushes her away.
There’s even a dramatic scene where she stabs him with a knife after learning about a murder. That part is fictional. But it shows how much pain she might have felt during that time.
María Elvira Murillo’s Net Worth and Life Today
Back in the 1980s, María lived in great wealth. But all of that changed after Gallardo’s arrest. The government took most of their assets, including her real estate company.
Now, María Elvira Murillo’s net worth is unknown. She may have lost nearly everything. But from what we know, she’s not chasing money or fame anymore.
Instead, she seems to be living a simple, quiet life, away from public eyes. For someone who lived through so much, maybe that’s exactly what she wants.
Final Thoughts
The story of María Elvira Murillo is not about crime or violence. It’s about a woman who saw the dark side of power and chose to walk away.
She could have stayed in the spotlight. She could have spoken out. But instead, she chose silence and peace. That takes strength. That takes courage.
Today, she’s still one of the most mysterious women in cartel history. And even though she never told her story, the world still remembers her — the woman who was once Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s wife, and then simply disappeared.
(FAQs)
How old is María Elvira Murillo?
No one knows her exact age or birthday — she has completely hidden her personal details for decades.
What did María Elvira Murillo do for work?
She was a real businesswoman who co-owned a real estate company — but some say it helped hide cartel money.
What is María Elvira Murillo’s net worth now?
Her current net worth is unknown, but almost everything was taken by the government after her husband’s arrest.
Who is María Elvira Murillo’s father?
There is zero public information about her father — her entire family background is a mystery.
How many children does María Elvira Murillo have?
Two children are confirmed, but some reports say she may have had up to 17 kids with Félix Gallardo.
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