Update: Early Thursday morning, Vinnie Medugno, a representative of Angela Raiola's Twitter account, confirmed that the VH1 star passed away after a battle with cancer. The statement reads:
It is with sad regret that we inform you that at 3:01AM Angela Raiola peacefully ended her battle with cancer, and was called home. She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family, and closest friends. YOU, (Her fans) were some of the most special people in her world, and she loved you immensely. Thank you for your love, prayers, and unconditional support of Angela right to the very end. She truly went out richer than any monetary value could ever amount to. The family asks for privacy, and peace during this most difficult time. In typical Big Ang fashion, we know she would say "Love you my babies!" This page will remain open as a celebration of who she was and will always be. It has been my esteemed privilege, and honor to represent her in the highest regard via social media.
Earlier: On Wednesday evening, a representative of Angela Raiola's Twitter account shared a statement claiming that reports of Raiola's death were false.
This is a representative of Angela's personal social media. The news that has been reported is TOTALLY INACCURATE. Please respect her family, and their privacy at this time. All of the media outlets currently reporting this are reporting false information. No direct information has been given, and will not be given any time soon. Angela is still in the hospital surrounded by her loved ones, and is fighting. Thank you.
Earlier: This is devastating news: According to Entertainment Tonight, Mob Wives star Angela "Big Ang" Raiola has passed away following a lengthy battle with stage four cancer. Raiola, who was best known for her appearances in Mob Wives and Big Ang on VH1, was 55.
Though not many details are known, ET reports that Raiola's family has confirmed the reality star's passing. This news comes after Raiola's public battle with the disease: After she first underwent surgery in mid-2015 to remove a tumors from her throat, as well as her lymph nodes, Raiola was briefly cancer-free — until, in December 2015, reports surfaced that the cancer had spread to Raiola's brain and right lung, and was stage four. Though Raiola underwent chemotherapy treatments, they were sadly unsuccessful. According to PEOPLE, Raiola had just began immunotherapy treatments.
On Tuesday, Raiola's recent appearance on The Dr. Oz Show aired, in which she discussed her battle with cancer and her decision to split from her husband, Neil Murphy, following her diagnosis. "First I thought I was cancer-free. I was gonna have a big celebration … and then a month later I was stage four," she said. "I was completely devastated. I couldn't hear what they were saying. … I feel like I went deaf."
Raiola is survived by her two children, Raquel and Anthony Donfrio, six grandchildren, and her sister, Janine Detore
