When Angela "Big Ang" Raiola passed away in 2016, it felt like the heart of Staten Island stopped beating for a second. She was larger than life, literally. But behind the raspy voice and the "Mob Wives" glamour, she was a mother who worried about her kids just like anyone else. Specifically, her son, Anthony "AJ" D'Onofrio.
You might remember him from the show—the tall, quiet guy who seemed to be constantly navigating the shadow of his mother’s fame and the weight of a family history that wasn't exactly "white-picket fence" material. People still ask what happened to Big Ang son because, honestly, the headlines back then were a mess. One minute he was getting married in a lavish ceremony, and the next, he was facing serious legal heat.
The story isn't just about a "mob kid" getting into trouble. It's about a guy trying to find his footing after losing his biggest protector.
The Legal Rollercoaster and the "No-Jail" Deal
If we’re being real, AJ’s track record in the early 2010s was shaky. In 2012, he was slapped with some heavy charges. We’re talking about a narcotics ring bust in Brooklyn where he was accused of selling prescription pills—specifically Oxycodone—along with cocaine and marijuana. It looked bad. Like, "25 years in prison" bad.
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But then something happened that had the tabloids buzzing.
Instead of a cold cell, AJ was handed a lifeline. In August 2012, a judge allowed him to enter a no-jail plea deal. The condition? He had to complete an intensive in-patient drug treatment program that lasted between 18 and 24 months. The defense argued that AJ wasn't some kingpin; he was a guy selling to feed his own addiction.
Prosecutors weren't thrilled. They argued that someone with his resources shouldn't get a "get out of jail free" card while others rot in a cell for less. But the judge saw a young man struggling with a legitimate substance abuse problem. He took the chance. He went to rehab. And for a while, it seemed like he was actually turning things around.
Life After Big Ang: Marriage and Loss
By the summer of 2015, things looked up. AJ got married to his longtime girlfriend, Gabriella. It was a classic Staten Island affair—big, loud, and full of love. Big Ang was there, beaming, finally seeing her son stable. It was one of the last big happy moments for the family before the storm hit.
Then came February 2016.
Losing Big Ang to stage 4 cancer was a gut punch for AJ. He wasn't just losing a mom; he was losing his mentor. At the wake and funeral, cameras caught a glimpse of him—devastated, holding his wife's hand, looking like he’d aged ten years in a week.
Since her death, AJ has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. He’s not chasing reality TV fame. You won't see him trying to reboot "Mob Wives" or selling supplements on Instagram. He’s been focused on being a father and a husband. He has kids now—Big Ang’s grandkids—who he’s reportedly very private about.
Where is AJ D'Onofrio in 2026?
So, what happened to Big Ang son in the long run? He chose a quiet life. While there have been occasional rumors of minor legal scuffles over the years, he hasn't returned to the major headlines that defined his youth.
He lives on Staten Island, staying close to his sister, Raquel, and his extended family. The "mob" associations that once plagued his reputation have largely faded as he’s moved into his 30s. He’s essentially a private citizen now.
Common Misconceptions
- Is he in prison? No. Despite the 2012 scare, he avoided a long-term sentence by completing his court-ordered rehab.
- Did he inherit the bar? No, "The Drunken Monkey" closed down years ago due to licensing issues related to Big Ang's own past convictions.
- Is he on social media? He keeps a very low profile. Most updates come from his sister Raquel's posts or family reunions.
Moving Forward: Lessons from the Raiola Legacy
Looking at AJ's journey, it's clear that the "Mob Wives" era was a double-edged sword. It gave the family financial security, but it put a target on his back and magnified his mistakes.
If you're following the family or just curious about how things ended up, the best way to keep up is through verified family social media accounts. Avoid the gossip blogs that still try to link him to old 2012 headlines. Most of that info is over a decade old and doesn't reflect the man he is today.
Support the legacy of Big Ang by focusing on the charity work the family still participates in, especially around cancer awareness. AJ might have been the "troubled son" in the scripts of reality TV, but in real life, he’s just a guy who survived a very public storm and chose peace over the cameras.
What to do next:
If you want to stay updated on the rest of the family, check out Raquel D'Onofrio's public updates, as she often shares photos of the grandkids and family milestones that Big Ang would have loved to see. Keep an eye on local Staten Island news for any charity events held in Angela's honor, which the family still occasionally attends.