Angela “Big Ang” Raiola died on February 18, 2016, from complications of cancer, including lung cancer, after also developing pneumonia, at the age of 55.

Quick Scoop

  • Angela Raiola, known as Big Ang from VH1’s “Mob Wives,” was first diagnosed with throat cancer in March 2015, which later spread to her lungs and brain.
  • She had a long history of heavy cigarette smoking, and doctors linked her cancer directly to smoking, which she publicly discussed while urging others to quit.
  • In her final months, she battled stage 4 lung and brain cancer and was hospitalized in New York, where she died surrounded by friends and family after complications from lung cancer and pneumonia.

What exactly caused her death?

  • Reports from major outlets state she died from complications of lung cancer and pneumonia, following an almost year‑long fight that began as throat cancer.
  • By early 2016, she revealed on “Dr. Oz” that her cancer had progressed to stage 4 lung and brain cancer and that treatments were no longer working.

Health journey and smoking link

  • Big Ang said she had smoked for about 40 years and quit only when doctors discovered a large tumor in her throat blocking her airway.
  • She repeatedly warned fans about the dangers of smoking, saying her doctors were “positive” it caused her illness and urging people not to start or to quit as soon as possible.

Timeline before her passing

  • March 2015: Diagnosed with a cancerous throat tumor and underwent long, intensive surgeries to remove it.
  • Later in 2015: She was told the cancer had come back and spread to her lung, eventually being described as stage 4 lung and brain cancer.
  • February 18, 2016: She died in a Manhattan hospital after her condition worsened due to lung cancer and pneumonia complications.

Legacy and ongoing discussion

  • Fans and celebrities remembered her as a warm, larger‑than‑life reality star whose personality defined “Mob Wives” and inspired ongoing tributes each anniversary of her death.
  • Her story is still a frequent topic in pop culture and forum discussion, often cited in conversations about the health risks of long‑term smoking and the emotional impact of losing a reality‑TV favorite.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.