Netflix’s new hit crime drama Outlaw is capturing global attention with its shocking portrayal of Brazil’s notorious Raquel de Oliveira. This gripping film tells the true story of Oliveira's journey from a poverty-stricken childhood in Rio de Janeiro to becoming one of the most feared drug lords in Brazil.
Directed by Joao Wainer, Outlaw is based on Oliveira's 2015 book Bandida: A Numero Um, which details her life in the crime world. The film’s realistic depiction of her rise to power offers an intense look into her life and the circumstances that led her to the top of the drug trade.
Who is Racquel de Oliveira in Outlaw?
Racquel is a crime lord, but she didn't step into the world of crime because she wanted to. Raquel’s entry into the world of crime was marked by violence. At just 15 years old, she committed her first murder. It happened during a drug deal gone wrong, where a man attempted to assault her. Without hesitation, Raquel shot him, marking the start of her ruthless reputation.
In her mid-20s, Raquel became involved with Ednaldo de Souza, a notorious drug lord known as Naldo. Naldo ran the drug trade in Rocinha, the favela where Raquel grew up. Their relationship not only gave Raquel a direct connection to the drug trade, but also cemented her position within it. When Naldo was killed in a gunfight with police, Raquel took over his empire.
The violent death of her husband, Naldo, was a pivotal moment for Raquel. In the chaotic world of Rio’s drug trade, his death left a power vacuum that Raquel quickly filled. With her reputation for violence and cruelty, she soon became as feared as Naldo had been.
Raquel didn’t just maintain her power, rather, she thrived in it. Known for her cruelty, she reportedly buried enemies alive or shot them in cold blood. Her reign over the Rocinha favela was brutal, and she gained a reputation that struck fear into the hearts of many. No one dared to challenge her authority knowing the severe consequences.
However, her life of crime came with a heavy price. Raquel developed a severe cocaine addiction, which only worsened as her power grew. Her drug habit began to take over her life, affecting both her health and her decision-making. Despite her success in the criminal world, it was clear that she was fighting a losing battle with addiction.
2005 turned out to be a major turning point for Raquel. A rival gang attempted to kill Raquel in a Rio bar and this made her realise how close she had come to death and that's when Raquel decided to leave her life of crime behind. She checked herself into a rehabilitation centre, marking the beginning of her journey toward recovery.
Outlaw ends on a sombre note, with Raquel reflecting on her life. In the film, she records her story on a tape recorder, symbolizing that her tale has come to an end. There’s speculation about whether she survived the final gunfight or not, but the film leaves this question unanswered, adding to the mystery of her life.
What is Racquel de Oliveira's story?
Raquel de Oliveira was born in 1961 in Rio’s Rocinha favela. In the film, it has been portrayed that she has been through a lot of hardship in her life from the beginning. The Rocinha favela is one of the largest and most infamous slums in Brazil, where violence, drugs, and poverty are rampant.
Raquel’s early years were a harsh reflection of the struggles that many face in Brazil’s poorest neighbourhoods. Her family lived in a makeshift shack with a dirt floor and a roof made of corrugated metal. It wasn’t a life of comfort or safety, and from an early age, she was exposed to the harsh realities of her environment.
When Raquel was just six years old, her father abandoned the family, leaving them behind with no warning. His departure not only left a deep emotional scar, but also plunged the family deeper into poverty. Raquel’s life quickly spiralled into darker places because she had no father figure in her life. She first experimented with drugs at a young age, using substances like glue to deal with the pain of hunger and hardship.
At the tender age of nine, Raquel’s life took an even darker turn. Her grandmother, desperate for money, sold her into the sex trade. From then on, Raquel grew up in Rio’s brothels, an environment that exposed her to unimaginable horrors. By the age of 11, she had already been given her first gun by a local crime boss, setting her on the path that would eventually lead her to power.
Where is Racquel de Oliveira now?
As of the most recent reports, Raquel de Oliveira continues to live in the Rocinha neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, where she is well-respected and recognized as an important community member. She has three children, all of whom are aware of her past, and she has become a grandmother in the last decade.
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Occasionally, Oliveira shares happy moments with her family on her social media. Fans of her work can follow her updates on Instagram, where she regularly posts and stays active online.
Now 63 years old, Raquel de Oliveira has been sober for nearly 20 years. She has distanced herself from the world of drugs and crime and has found a sense of peace through her writing. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the possibility of redemption, no matter how dark one’s past may be.
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