Reality TV star Angela "Big Ang" Raiola died early Thursday morning after battling stage 4 brain and lung cancer. She was 55.
On Thursday night, her friend Vincent "Vinnie" Medugno posted news of her death through a statement on Raiola's Twitter account.
She died surrounded by friends and family around 3 a.m. Thursday, he said.
"Thank you for your love, prayers and unconditional support of Angela right to the very end," Medugno said. "She truly went out richer than any monetary value could ever amount to."
He thanked Raiola's fans on behalf of her family.
"In typical Big Ang fashion, we know she would say 'Love you my babies!'" he said.
Raiola, whose uncle was a captain of the Genovese crime family, joined the cast of "Mob Wives" in its second season. The first episode of the season aired in 2012.
On Wednesday, rumors swelled that Raiola was near death. The news was staunchly denied by Raiola's camp, which sent a statement through her Twitter account Wednesday night.
"The news that has been reported is totally inaccurate," the statement said. "Please respect her family and their privacy at this time … Angela is still in the hospital surrounded by her loved ones, and is fighting."
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.