Colombian drug lord and narcoterrorist who founded the Medellín Cartel in 1976 and became its sole leader. Dubbed “The King of Cocaine”, Escobar is the wealthiest criminal in history, having amassed an estimated net worth of US$30 billion by the time of his death (equivalent to $58 billion as of 2018), while his cartel monopolized the cocaine trade into the United States in the 1980s and 1990s. He consistently battled rival cartels domestically and abroad, which led to massacres and the murders of police officers, judges, locals, and prominent politicians, making Colombia the murder capital of the world.
In 1991, Escobar surrendered to authorities, and was sentenced to five years imprisonment on a host of charges, but struck a deal of no extradition with Colombian President Cesar Gaviria, with the ability of being housed in his own, self-built prison. In 1992, Escobar escaped and went into hiding when authorities attempted to move him to a more standard holding facility, leading to a nation-wide manhunt. As a result, the Medellín Cartel crumbled, and Escobar was killed in his hometown in a shootout with Colombian National Police on 2 December 1993, a day after his 44th birthday. Around 3:30pm that day, Escobar suffered gunshots to the leg and torso, and a fatal gunshot through the ear.
His legacy remains controversial; while many denounce the heinous nature of his crimes, Escobar was seen as a “Robin Hood-like” figure for many in Colombia, as he provided many amenities to the poor; his funeral attended by over 25,000 people. His private estate, Hacienda Nápoles, has been transformed into a theme park. His life has also served as inspiration for or has been dramatized in film, television, and in music.
Link to Wikipedia biography