Pablo Escobar stands as the most notorious drug lord in history. He accumulated immense wealth and power that rivaled national governments. Furthermore, his life combined ruthless violence with bizarre acts of extravagance. Consequently, his legacy continues to influence Colombia decades after his death. Explore these fascinating details about the King of Cocaine.
Pablo Escobar
Rats ate nearly ten percent of his cash annually. Because Pablo Escobar stored so much paper currency in damp basements, rodents destroyed billions of dollars every year. Therefore, he simply wrote off this massive loss as a standard business expense.
Historically, Pablo Escobar imported four hippos for his private zoo. Currently, the government struggles to control the massive population of “cocaine hippos” that roam the Magdalena River. These animals have no natural predators in South America and have multiplied significantly.
Financially, the cartel spent 2,500 dollars a month just on rubber bands. Pablo Escobar needed these elastic bands simply to hold his massive stacks of cash together. This small detail illustrates the sheer volume of physical money he handled daily.
Desperately, he burned two million dollars to prevent his daughter from freezing. While the family hid in a mountainside hideout, Pablo Escobar sacrificed the cash to generate heat for Manuela. He valued her comfort far more than the currency.
Unbelievably, Pablo Escobar designed his own private prison called “La Catedral.” Inside, he enjoyed a soccer field, a bar, and a jacuzzi while guards protected him from his enemies. Technically, he served time, but he lived in absolute luxury the entire time.
Boldly, he took a tourist photo in front of the White House. Although the US government wanted him, Pablo Escobar visited Washington D.C. with his son without anyone noticing his identity. This image remains one of the most ironic photos in criminal history.
Impressively, Forbes magazine listed him as the seventh richest man in the world. Consistently, Pablo Escobar appeared on the billionaire list for seven years in a row. At his peak, he earned roughly 420 million dollars every single week.
Audaciously, he offered to pay off Colombia’s entire national debt. Pablo Escobar proposed this deal to the government effectively to avoid extradition to the United States. However, the Colombian government rejected the offer to maintain their integrity.
Allegedly, he started his criminal career by stealing tombstones. Reportedly, Pablo Escobar sanded off the names and resold them to smugglers in Panama before he moved into the drug trade. This early hustle showed his willingness to do anything for profit.
Logistically, he bought a Learjet specifically to fly his cash home. Pablo Escobar earned so much money that he needed private aircraft just to transport the physical bills. Sometimes, the pilots earned millions just for a single flight.
Locally, the poor people of Medellin called him “Robin Hood.” Generously, Pablo Escobar built houses, soccer fields, and schools for the community to gain their loyalty. Consequently, many residents protected him and hid him from the police.
Ultimately, police found his body on a rooftop without shoes. Likely, Pablo Escobar was talking on the phone when the raid began, so he had no time to put them on. The image of the barefoot kingpin signaled the end of an era.
Ruthlessly, he enforced a policy known as “Plata o Plomo.” Essentially, Pablo Escobar gave police and politicians a choice between taking a silver bribe or receiving a lead bullet. This strategy corrupted the Colombian justice system for years.
Tragically, he ordered the bombing of Avianca Flight 203. Mistakenly, Pablo Escobar believed a presidential candidate was on board, but he ended up killing 110 innocent people instead. This act turned public opinion heavily against him.
Cruelly, he stapled a cone to a horse’s head for his daughter. Because Manuela wanted a unicorn, Pablo Escobar ordered his men to alter the animal. Sadly, the horse died from an infection shortly after the procedure.
