When the 2007 film American Gangster hit theaters, audiences were riveted by the rise and fall of notorious heroin dealer Frank Lucas. Played by Denzel Washington, Lucas is portrayed as a criminal mastermind who smuggles drugs out of Vietnam in the caskets of dead soldiers. By cutting out the middlemen, he’s able to sell higher quality “Blue Magic” heroin at lower prices, becoming one of the most powerful drug kingpins in New York City. IN this article we talk about Secrets of a Mob Wife- The Untold Story of Frank Lucas’s Partner.
While the film focuses mainly on Frank, his wife Julianna Farrait played an equally integral part in the criminal empire. Yet her side of the story often goes untold. Who was this beauty queen from Puerto Rico who stood dutifully by her husband’s side as they amassed enormous wealth and power in the 1970s drug trade?
Destined to Be a Queen
Julianna Farrait was born in Puerto Rico around 1941. Though the film American Gangster shows her winning the Miss Puerto Rico pageant, she was actually a hometown beauty queen and homecoming queen. Even so, she carried herself like royalty from a young age.
She first met Frank Lucas on an airplane from Puerto Rico to New York in 1967. He was immediately smitten by her beauty and confidence. Though she came from a humble background, he saw the spark of someone destined to be treated like a queen. After a whirlwind courtship, they married that same year.
According to Frank’s biography Original Gangster, Julianna took well to the lavish lifestyle he provided. As his heroin business exploded in the early 1970s, money was no object. He showered her with furs, diamonds, cars and clothes by famous designers. She loved dressing to the nines and enjoying the high life alongside her husband.
Ride or Die Partner
As Frank’s empire grew, so did Julianna’s role in the day-to-day operations. She wasn’t just there for companionship and moral support – she became his trusted business partner.
Julianna handled money, helped coordinate deals, and acted as a go-between for Frank and other traffickers. Her grace, charm and beauty enabled her to travel more freely without drawing suspicion. She also took charge of payroll for all of Frank’s employees and allies.
When Frank went to prison in the mid 1970s, Julianna kept running the business for him on the outside. Money continued flowing into offshore bank accounts in her name. In this way, she kept the empire afloat despite Frank’s absence, ensuring they’d still live like royalty when he returned.
Caught in the Crosshairs
However, Julianna soon landed in the crosshairs of law enforcement. Her high fashion looks brought unwanted attention when Frank wore a chinchilla coat she bought for him to a Muhammad Ali fight in 1971. Officers recognized that for someone like Frank to afford such splendor, illegal activity had to be at play.
Julianna was by Frank’s side as investigators started snooping around their New Jersey home. When police finally raided the mansion in 1975, she frantically threw bags of cash out the window in a panic. This incident landed both her and Frank in court and eventually behind bars.
Though Julianna tried to carry on Frank’s empire while he was incarcerated, the heat surrounding them eventually became too much. With Frank snitching on former associates for early release, going into witness protection in the early 1980s was inevitable.
Bonnie and Clyde Reunited
Once out from witness protection, Julianna and Frank picked up their lavish lifestyle where they left off. Throughout all the legal turmoil, her devotion to Frank persisted. In a 2007 interview, she reflected “I have always loved Frank. Some call us the black Bonnie and Clyde because we have always stuck by one another.”
In the late 1980s, Julianna even coordinated international drug deals with their daughter Francine to help Frank rebuild his trafficking network. But after another sting operation and prison sentence, she realized it was no longer prudent to keep breaking the law.
Julianna tried going straight for good once she finished her second prison term in the early 1990s. However, the lure of quick money and the high life proved too hard to resist. In 2010 at age 70, she attempted to deal cocaine to an undercover officer at a Puerto Rican hotel and earned another 5 year sentence.
A Partner Till the End
Very little is known about Julianna’s later years. Despite separating from Frank for a period after her second incarceration, they reunited again sometime after 2010 once she was free and Frank’s health deteriorated.
Frank Lucas died peacefully in New Jersey in 2019 at the age of 88 with Julianna by his side. Though the exact date of her death is unclear, she passed away before Frank according to his New York Times obituary. Until the very end, she remained loyal to the man who first saw her as his queen.
Julianna Farrait lived in the shadow of her infamous husband for over 50 years. While his rise and fall made headlines, her critical role went largely unnoticed by the public. She was more than just a devoted wife – she was Frank’s fearless partner as they built and battled to maintain their ruthless drug empire. Hers is a story of luxury and loss, obedience and ostracism, worthy of its own cinematic treatment. For behind every great kingpin stands a mighty queen, and Julianna Farrait filled that role in defiant, daring style. I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this “Secrets of a Mob Wife- The Untold Story of Frank Lucas’s Partner” article.
