Curiosidades

Her uncle, Salvatore Lombardi, was the leader of the Genovese crime family.

After Raiola began experiencing pain in her throat in March 2015, doctors diagnosed her with strep throat and placed her on antibiotics. When the pain continued, she went to an ear, nose and throat specialist, who detected a tumor and scheduled her for immediate surgery. In April 2015, the tumor and lymph nodes on the left side of her neck were removed during an eight-hour operation. In May 2015, the lymph nodes on the right side of her neck were also removed. Though she was thought to be cancer-free following the surgeries, a throat scan in December revealed that the cancer had returned. It was later revealed that the cancer had spread to her lungs and brain. By January 2016, the tumors no longer responded to the chemotherapy and continued to grow. The family was advised that they would need to start immunotherapy the following week. Raiola died with her family in attendance on February 18, 2016, in New York City, at the age of 55. She was honored with a public viewing and was laid to rest on February 22.

Had two children, Raquel and Anthony (AJ) Donofrio, and six grandchildren.