Introduction

When people think of an infamous couple who were also partners in crime, they most likely think of Bonnie and Clyde. However, there were other equally intriguing couples who committed crimes together, and this is the case with George Jung and his first wife, Mirtha Jung. While much is known about George, we wonder what brought him and his ex-wife together? And what kind of life does she have today?

Early life and education

Mirtha Jung was born Mirtha Calderon in Cuba.

There are a few speculations about her date of birth as several sources state that she was born on 3^ed December, while others say the day was 3^ed August – Jung himself has yet to confirm the exact date. What is known is that the year of her birth was 1952. Despite being born in Cuba, she moved to Columbia sometime during her childhood. She now has both Cuban and American nationality. During her teenage years, she became addicted to various drugs, including cocaine.

Married to George Jung

Mirtha met drug dealer George Jung sometime in the 1970s when he communicated with the snippet of his cartel set up in Columbia.

Despite the 10-year age difference, the couple fell in love and started dating soon after.

Jung was a drug smuggler who was a key part of the Medellin Cartel founded by Pablo Escobar and quickly became one of the biggest players in the major cocaine trade that was going on in the US in the 1970s and 1980s, and the The Medellin Cartel was responsible for about 85% of the cocaine smuggled into the US at that time. Jungs nickname with the gang was Al Americano, and he mainly worked with his contacts in Colombia, where he met Mirtha.

After several years of dating, the couple got married in 1977.

Their only child, a daughter named Kristina Sunshine Jung, was born on August 1, 1978. The duo continued their drug-related activities even after the baby was born.

George put Mirtha in touch with the Medellin Cartel after their meeting and the duo began working together. During the decade, they smuggled several tons of drugs from Colombia to the US and made millions. Mirtha was an equal partner with George, so they shared their winnings equally. However, their illegal activities began to bring inconvenience to the couple’s life due to the dangers of the drug trade. After George ended up in prison in the mid-80s, Mirtha filed for divorce, ending this Bonny-and-Clyde-esque romance. Their marriage ended in 1984.

Struggles with drugs

Mirtha was a drug user from her teens. The addiction was so severe that she continued to use cocaine even while pregnant, despite numerous doctors advising her to stop, and continued after the birth of her daughter. A few months after she gave birth, she was arrested for drug possession and sentenced to three years in prison. While in prison, she made huge efforts to stop using cocaine, wanting to be a better mother to her child. She managed to kick her addiction before being released in 1981, and she cut ties with all things drug related several years later when she divorced her husband.

George was arrested several times, but the longest sentence came in 1994 in Topeka, Kansas, USA, when he was apprehended with 796 kg of cocaine. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 years in prison, initially at Otisville Federal Prison in Mount Hope, New York, USA, but was soon transferred to Federal Correction Institution La Tuna, in Anthony, Texas, USA. After testifying against his former partner in crime, Carlos Lehder, his sentence was reduced to 20 years. He was paroled on November 27, 2014, but was re-arrested on December 6, 2016 for parole violation, released again to a halfway house on July 3, 2017, and has not been arrested since April 2020.

Private life

After her divorce, Mirtha raised her daughter as a single mother. A few years after the divorce, she remarried Romain Karan, and the couple had two children of their own. Like her, George Jung also married a second time, to Ronda Clay Spinello, and they have a daughter together named Clara. Both couples now live in the US, albeit separately and far from each other.

While Mirtha was in prison, her daughter was given to George’s parents, Fredrick Jung and Ermine Jung, who had full custody of the girl for many years. Kristina Sunshine Jung became a writer and poet, and she is rumours having started writing her mother’s biography.

Mirtha’s marriage to George was portrayed in the 2001 movie “Blow” directed by Ted Demme. The film was inspired by George’s connection to the Medellin Cartel and focused on his relationship with his wife and daughter. The pair was played by one of the most famous names in Hollywood as Mirtha was played by Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp George. The film even won an MTV Movie Award in 2002.

Mirtha’s last public appearance was some time after the film’s premiere in 2001, when she gave an interview to a Texas newspaper.

Net value

Nothing is known about Mirtha’s current career or business path. Since she lost all the money she made from smuggling drugs, nothing is known about her earnings today. Some sources estimation her net worth of about $150,000 in movie royalties but the exact amount is not disclosed. It is also unknown if she has any real estate or cars to her name.

Physical Characteristics

Mirtha is a slender woman who is 1.67 m tall and weighs about 55 kg. She has blue eyes and had blond hair in her last public appearance, although her curls were black during her time with George Jung.

, Wikipedia