Marie Cartagena is a Puerto Rican woman who is best known for being the mother of Joseph Antonio Cartagena, aka Fat Joe, a famous American rapper and record label executive. Marie Cartagena raised her son in the Bronx, New York, along with his father Ernesto Delgado, who is Cuban, and his two siblings Andre and Lisa. Marie Cartagena faced many challenges and hardships as a single mother living in poverty, but she always supported her son’s passion for music and encouraged him to pursue his dreams.
Marie Cartagena’s Early Life and Family Background
Not much is known about Marie Cartagena’s early life and family background, as she has kept a low profile and rarely appears in the media. However, according to Wealthy Gorilla, she was born in Puerto Rico and later immigrated to the United States with her husband Ernesto Delgado. They settled in the Bronx, New York, where they had three children: Joseph, Andre, and Lisa. Marie Cartagena worked as a housekeeper to provide for her family, while Ernesto Delgado worked as a taxi driver. The family lived in a small apartment in the Forest Houses public housing project.
Marie Cartagena’s Relationship with Her Son Fat Joe
Marie Cartagena has always been close with her son Fat Joe, who was born on August 19, 1970. She introduced him to music at a young age, exposing him to different genres such as salsa, merengue, hip-hop, and soul. She also bought him his first turntable when he was 12 years old, which sparked his interest in DJing and rapping. Marie Cartagena supported her son’s musical aspirations, even though he dropped out of school at 14 and got involved in the street life. She often attended his shows and cheered him on.
Marie Cartagena also helped her son cope with the loss of his close friend and protégé Christopher Rios, aka Big Pun, who died of a heart attack in 2000. She comforted him and encouraged him to keep making music in honor of Big Pun’s legacy. She also welcomed Big Pun’s widow Liza Rios and their children into her home and treated them like family.
Marie Cartagena’s Personal Tragedies and Struggles
Marie Cartagena has faced several personal tragedies and struggles in her life. In 2002, she lost her daughter Lisa to medical negligence and complications arising from childbirth. Lisa was only 27 years old and left behind a son named Ryan. Marie Cartagena was devastated by the death of her daughter and filed a lawsuit against the hospital that failed to provide proper care for her. She also took care of her grandson Ryan and helped him grow up.
In 2013, Marie Cartagena had to deal with another painful situation when her son Fat Joe was sentenced to four months in prison for tax evasion. He had failed to pay taxes on more than $3 million of income from 2007 to 2010. Marie Cartagena visited him regularly in jail and prayed for his release. She also defended him from the critics who accused him of being irresponsible and dishonest.
Marie Cartagena’s Current Life and Legacy
Marie Cartagena is currently living a quiet and peaceful life away from the spotlight. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She has three grandchildren from Fat Joe: Joey, Azariah, and Ryan Jr. She also has two grandchildren from Lisa: Ryan and Mya. She is proud of her son’s achievements and legacy as one of the most influential rappers and record label executives in the hip-hop industry. She is also happy that he has overcome his legal troubles and health issues.
Marie Cartagena is a strong and resilient woman who has overcome many obstacles and challenges in her life. She is an inspiration to many people who have faced similar situations or who aspire to follow their dreams despite the difficulties. She is also a loving and supportive mother who has always been there for her son Fat Joe through thick and thin. She is one of the unsung heroes behind his success and fame.
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