When people hear the name Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, they often think of one thing — a powerful drug lord from Mexico. He was known as El Padrino, which means The Godfather. He helped build the Guadalajara Cartel, one of the biggest drug groups in history.
But behind this dangerous man was a quiet woman named María Elvira Murillo. Many people know Gallardo’s name because of TV shows like Narcos: Mexico, but very few know about María. She was his wife, and her life was full of secrets, struggles, and silence.
In this article, we’ll learn about who María Elvira Murillo really is. We’ll explore her life, her role in Gallardo’s world, and where she might be today. Let’s begin.
María Elvira Murillo Quick Bio
| Full Name | María Elvira Murillo |
| Known As | Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s Wife |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Birthplace | Mexico |
| Age | Unknown |
| Marital Status | Divorced from Gallardo |
| Children | 2 known (Miguel Jr. & Abril) |
| Total Children (Claimed) | Up to 17 (not confirmed) |
| Profession | Businesswoman |
| Company Co-Owned | Delia Real Estate |
| Famous For | Being Gallardo’s wife |
| Media Portrayal | Character in Narcos: Mexico |
| Social Media | Not active anywhere |
| Net Worth | Unknown (Most assets were seized) |
| Current Status | Living privately in Mexico |
Early Life of María Elvira Murillo
María Elvira Murillo was born in Mexico, but very little is known about her early years. There are no public details about where she grew up, her school life, or even her exact age. She never shared much, and no one close to her has ever spoken out.
This mystery is part of what makes her story so interesting. She lived a quiet life before meeting Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, and even after becoming his wife, she stayed out of the spotlight. While Gallardo became famous (or infamous), María remained in the shadows.
Some people think she stayed silent on purpose. She never gave interviews, never used social media, and never wanted to be in the news. This quiet nature stayed with her all through her life.
How María Elvira Murillo Met Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo
María met Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo sometime in the 1970s or early 1980s. Gallardo was already rising in power by then. He had strong political connections, and his drug business was growing fast.
Gallardo had lost his first wife to a sickness called leukemia. After her death, he later married María. This made María his second wife, and she became part of his powerful and risky world.
No one knows exactly how they met. But during that time, Gallardo had a lot of influence. He lived in Guadalajara and was building the Guadalajara Cartel. It’s likely they met through social or family circles in Sinaloa or Jalisco. Whatever the case, María entered his life during a time of growing power and danger.
Marriage to Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo
At first, María and Gallardo seemed like a strong couple. They were surrounded by wealth, power, and high-class lifestyles. Gallardo was in charge of one of the largest drug networks in Mexico, and María was by his side.
But things started to change. Gallardo became more focused on his empire and less focused on family. He spent more time with his cartel and less time at home. He also had affairs with other women, which made things harder for María.
Even though María stayed strong, the relationship became cold. Gallardo’s lifestyle brought fear, stress, and betrayal into the marriage. Eventually, María decided to leave, taking her children with her. It wasn’t an easy decision, but she chose peace over power.
Was María Elvira Murillo Part of the Cartel?
Many people wonder — was María just a wife, or did she help with cartel business?
Some reports say María was more involved than people thought. She wasn’t out there with guns or drugs, but she may have worked behind the scenes. A few sources even said she helped with money or handled business tasks. Some even called her the “Queen of the Pacific,” although that title is more often linked to another woman in the drug world.
María co-owned a company called Delia Real Estate with her husband. Later, this company was linked to money laundering, which means hiding money made from crime. After Gallardo’s arrest, the government took the company and froze the money.
Still, no one knows for sure how much María was involved. She was never arrested or charged with any crime. And, like always, she never spoke about it.
María Elvira Murillo’s Children with Gallardo
María and Gallardo had at least two children together — a son named Miguel Félix Murillo Jr. and a daughter named Abril Félix Murillo. These are the two names that show up in most reports.
However, one writer, David F. Marley, claimed they might have had up to 17 children. That number has not been confirmed, but it has been shared in books and online stories.
After Gallardo was arrested in 1989, María became a single mother. She took care of the children by herself. In 2011, María and her children even wrote a public letter asking for better treatment for Gallardo in prison. This showed that, even after the divorce, she still cared about his health and well-being.
Her Life as a Businesswoman
Before Gallardo’s arrest, María wasn’t just sitting at home. She was helping run Delia Real Estate, a company she co-owned with her husband. This company had offices, properties, and money flowing through it.
Later, the truth came out — the company was being used to hide cartel money. It wasn’t just a business; it was a tool for money laundering. After Gallardo’s arrest, the government seized the company, taking away its assets and freezing the bank accounts.
This loss changed María’s life. She lost a business, a lifestyle, and her wealth. But even after everything fell apart, she stayed strong, focused on her kids, and disappeared from public view.
Why María Elvira Murillo Left Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo
As time went on, María Elvira Murillo started to feel more and more unhappy in her marriage. Her husband, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, had changed. He no longer showed the same care or love. Instead, he focused only on power, money, and control.
Gallardo also had many affairs with other women. He gave them expensive gifts and spent time with them while ignoring his own family. This deeply hurt María. She tried to fix things and even gave him advice — some reports say she told him to move the cartel to Sinaloa to start fresh. But Gallardo didn’t listen.
In the end, María made a brave choice. She walked away from the empire. She took her children and left Gallardo for good. It was not an easy step, but she chose peace for herself and her kids.
Life After the Divorce
After leaving Gallardo, María went back to Sinaloa, a place that felt more like home. Life was no longer full of luxury, but it was calmer. She didn’t try to chase fame or rebuild the lost fortune. She simply wanted to live in peace with her children.
Even though they were no longer together, María still showed some care for Gallardo. In 2011, she and her children wrote a letter saying that Gallardo was not being treated well in prison. They asked for better medical care. This showed that despite the pain and betrayal, María still had some compassion.
Since then, she has stayed quiet. No interviews. No public appearances. Just a quiet life, far away from the world of crime and news.
How Narcos: Mexico Portrayed María Elvira Murillo
If you watched the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico, you may remember María Elvira Murillo’s character. She was played by Fernanda Urrejola, a talented actress from Chile.
In the show, María is shown as a loving and smart wife at first. But as Gallardo becomes colder and more obsessed with power, she grows frustrated. There’s even a dramatic scene where she finds out Gallardo caused a woman and her children to die — and she stabs him with a knife out of rage.
That scene is fictional, but it shows the emotional pain she might have felt in real life. Like many parts of the show, it mixes real events with drama to make the story more powerful.
The show made more people curious about Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s wife, but in truth, María Elvira Murillo’s real story is still a mystery.
Where Is María Elvira Murillo Today?
Many people ask, “Where is María Elvira Murillo now?” The honest answer is — we don’t know for sure. She has not appeared in public for many years.
Most reports say she is still living somewhere in Mexico, most likely in Sinaloa. But there is no proof of her exact location. She has chosen to stay hidden from the spotlight.
Even when she was married to one of the most powerful drug lords in history, María didn’t enjoy being famous. She lived a quiet life then, and she continues to do the same now.
Is María Elvira Murillo on Social Media?
People often search for María Elvira Murillo’s Instagram or Facebook pages. But there are no verified accounts. She is not active on any social media.
Some pages may use her name, but they are usually fake or made by fans. They do not belong to the real María Elvira.
This makes sense, though. María has always stayed silent. She never tried to explain her side or talk to the media. She values privacy more than anything else.
What We Know About Her Net Worth
In the past, María lived a life full of money, power, and business. She helped run Delia Real Estate and was part of a very rich family.
But after Gallardo’s arrest in 1989, things changed fast. The government took almost everything. The company, the homes, the cars — all were gone. Gallardo once had a net worth of around $55 billion, but most of that was lost.
Today, we don’t know how much María Elvira Murillo is worth. There are no public records. But her simple and quiet lifestyle shows that she is no longer rich or chasing wealth.
Final Thoughts
The story of María Elvira Murillo is not about crime or fame. It’s about a woman who made a hard choice. She married a man who became one of the most feared drug lords in the world. But when that life turned dark, she walked away.
She didn’t write a book. She didn’t do interviews. She didn’t sell her story. She simply chose silence.
Even now, in 2026, people still ask about her. But she stays hidden. Maybe that’s her greatest strength — the ability to live quietly and protect herself and her children from the past.
María Elvira Murillo, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s wife, will always be part of a powerful story — but she chose not to be its star. And that’s what makes her unforgettable.
(FAQs)
Is María Elvira Murillo real in real life?
María Elvira Murillo is a real person. She was the real wife of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo. She is not just a TV character. Her real life is very quiet and full of mystery.
How old is María Elvira Murillo? What is her birthday?
No one knows her exact age or birthday. She never shared these details with the public. She has always kept her personal life private.
Is María Elvira Murillo an actress?
María Elvira Murillo is not an actress. In Narcos: Mexico, her role was played by actress Fernanda Urrejola. The real María never acted in movies or TV shows.
Who is María Elvira Murillo’s father?
There is no public information about her father or family. She never talked about her parents, and no records are available.
How many children does María Elvira Murillo have?
Most trusted sources say she has two children. Some stories claim she had many more, even up to 17, but this is not confirmed.
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