Odessa Madre (above with her lawyer) was a Washington, D.C. black mob queen from the 1940's to the mid 1980's.
Madre was involved in bookmaking, drug trafficking, numbers running and prostitution (Madam). She was often seen around town in a Cadillac or being chauffeured in an expensive car, decked out in one of her mink coats and she was the proprietor of five thriving brothels.
Her career spanned nearly 50 years. This woman was so powerful, when two white policemen refused her payoffs, they were demoted and reassigned.
In the 40's, Madre earned a staggering $100,000 per year. She was also very generous and colorful.
She was so regarded for her wealth, that she was the only African-American allowed to shop in major segregated department stores.
She also owned a club (Club Madre) where Nat King Cole, Count Basie and Moms Mabley performed.
Madre was also known for her high end parties, where bowls of cocaine and other drugs were on open display.
Madre would become a major figure in organized crime and rumors continue to persist that Madre was also a lesbian.
Odessa Madre would die of kidney failure in 1990.
Sources: Courtland Milloy & Steve Gibson
1 comment:
The original Queen Bee... I've actually never heard of her until now
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