Mirtha Jung age has been a topic of curiosity for fans following the dramatic life story of George Jung’s ex-wife.

Born on December 3, 1952, in Cuba, Mirtha Jung is currently 73 years old as of 2026. She gained international recognition after the 2001 biographical crime film “Blow” portrayed her tumultuous relationship with infamous drug trafficker George Jung.

Portrayed by Academy Award winner Penelope Cruz, Mirtha’s story captured audiences worldwide as a tale of love, addiction, crime, and ultimately redemption.

Beyond her notorious past, Mirtha Jung transformed herself into a poet, entrepreneur, and writer. Her journey from the dangerous world of the Medellin Cartel to a peaceful life focused on family represents one of the most compelling redemption stories in recent history.

Quick Facts About Mirtha Jung

Category	Details
Birth Name	Mirtha Calderon
Date of Birth	December 3, 1952
Age (2026)	73 years old
Birthplace	Cuba
Nationality	Cuban-American
Zodiac Sign	Sagittarius
Profession	Poet, Entrepreneur, Writer
Famous For	Ex-wife of George Jung, “Blow” movie
Net Worth (2026)	$1 million (estimated)
Height	5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Ex-Husband	George Jung (m. 1977-1984)
Children	Kristina Sunshine Jung (born August 1, 1978)
Marital Status	Divorced (No remarriage confirmed)
Years Active in Drug Trade	1970s-1981
Prison Sentence	3 years (1978-1981)
Movie Portrayal	Penelope Cruz in “Blow” (2001)
Current Status	Living privately, focusing on family
Book	Co-authored “Recovery from Blow” (2018)

Mirtha Jung Age and Early Life in Cuba

Mirtha Jung age starts counting from December 3, 1952, when she was born as Mirtha Calderon in Cuba. Her birth occurred during a turbulent period in Cuban history marked by political upheaval and economic challenges.

Growing up in an impoverished and dangerous neighborhood in Cuba, young Mirtha experienced hardships that would shape her future decisions. The environment around her was filled with crime and limited opportunities for advancement.

Her parents raised her in Cuba, where she attended a local high school and completed her basic education. Despite the challenging circumstances, Mirtha’s family maintained traditional values and hoped for better opportunities.

The Cuban Revolution of the 1950s had lasting impacts on Mirtha’s formative years. Political instability and economic difficulties created an atmosphere where many Cubans sought escape through any means available.

After completing high school, Mirtha worked as a waitress to support herself. This humble job represented her only legal means of income during her late teenage years and early twenties.

Like many young Cubans during this era, Mirtha dreamed of escaping to better opportunities abroad. The United States represented freedom and prosperity that seemed impossible to achieve in revolutionary Cuba.

During her teenage years, Mirtha became exposed to the emerging drug trade that connected Cuba, Colombia, and the United States. This dangerous world promised quick wealth and excitement that appealed to struggling youth.

The difficult circumstances of her upbringing in Cuba would later be cited as contributing factors to her involvement in drug trafficking. Poverty and lack of opportunities created vulnerability to criminal enterprises.

At approximately 22-24 years old, Mirtha’s life trajectory changed forever when she moved between Cuba and Colombia. This geographic shift brought her into contact with international drug smugglers and cartel members.

Meeting George Jung: A Dangerous Romance

Mirtha Jung met George Jung in Colombia during the mid-1970s through one of his Colombian cocaine contacts. She was just 24 years old at the time, while George was 34 years old—a full decade older.

George Jung, known by his aliases “Boston George” and “El Americano,” was already deeply embedded in the Medellin Cartel’s operations. He had established himself as a key figure smuggling massive cocaine quantities into the United States.

According to Mirtha’s daughter Kristina’s 2018 book “Recovery from Blow,” Mirtha was actually engaged to Cesar, heir to a coffee plantation, when she met George. Their meeting occurred at Derek Foreal’s wedding ceremony in Colombia.

The instant connection between Mirtha and George was electric and undeniable. Despite being engaged to another man, Mirtha called off her engagement to pursue a relationship with the charismatic American drug smuggler.

Before even meeting George, Mirtha was already involved in Colombia’s cocaine market. She had established her own connections with the infamous Medellin Cartel, making her far from an innocent bystander.

Their whirlwind romance began in February 1975 and moved at breakneck speed. The combination of mutual attraction, shared involvement in drug trafficking, and the thrill of dangerous living created intense chemistry.

George was captivated by Mirtha’s beauty, youth, and fearlessness. She represented everything exciting about his lifestyle—beautiful, adventurous, and completely willing to embrace the drug world’s dangers.

Mirtha, in turn, was attracted to George’s charm, confidence, and the lavish lifestyle his drug money afforded. He showed her a world of luxury, travel, and excitement beyond her Cuban upbringing.

Their relationship was built on more than romance—it was a partnership in crime. Both were deeply committed to the drug trade and shared the addictive rush of wealth and danger.

After dating for approximately two years, Mirtha and George married in 1977. Their wedding marked the official beginning of a partnership that would make them wealthy and infamous.

Life in the Medellin Cartel

Mirtha Jung became an integral part of George Jung’s drug smuggling operations with the Medellin Cartel. She wasn’t just a drug lord’s wife—she was an active participant in trafficking cocaine from Colombia to America.

The Medellin Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar, was the most powerful and dangerous drug organization of the 1970s and 1980s. It controlled the majority of cocaine entering the United States during this period.

George Jung’s role involved transporting massive quantities of cocaine from Colombia to California using various creative smuggling methods. At the operation’s peak, he reportedly moved 85% of America’s cocaine supply.

Mirtha helped George coordinate shipments, manage contacts, and maintain relationships with Colombian suppliers. Her Cuban background and Spanish language skills made her valuable to the operation’s smooth functioning.

The couple lived an extraordinarily lavish lifestyle funded by drug money. They traveled to exotic destinations, stayed in luxury hotels, wore designer clothes, and spent money without concern for budgets.

Their homes were filled with expensive furnishings and the latest luxuries. Money flowed so freely that they reportedly made approximately $30 million monthly at the operation’s height.

However, this wealth came with constant danger and paranoia. Every day brought risk of arrest, betrayal by associates, or violence from rival cartels or dissatisfied partners.

Mirtha and George’s relationship was further complicated by their shared cocaine addiction. Both became heavily dependent on the very drug they smuggled, consuming large quantities themselves.

The lifestyle’s excitement masked its inherent instability and danger. Living outside the law meant constant movement, fake identities, and inability to trust anyone completely—even each other at times.

Motherhood and Addiction Crisis

On August 1, 1978, Mirtha gave birth to their daughter, Kristina Sunshine Jung. This should have been a joyful milestone, but Mirtha’s drug addiction severely complicated the pregnancy and early motherhood.

Despite doctors strongly advising her to quit cocaine during pregnancy, Mirtha was unable to stop using. Her addiction was so severe that she continued consuming drugs throughout her pregnancy.

She even continued using cocaine after Kristina’s birth, unable to break free from addiction’s grip. The drug that funded their lifestyle had completely enslaved both parents mentally and physically.

This period represented the darkest chapter of Mirtha’s life. She loved her daughter but couldn’t prioritize Kristina’s wellbeing over her addiction’s demands.

Shortly after Kristina’s birth, authorities arrested Mirtha for drug possession. She was caught with a dangerous amount of cocaine, leading to serious criminal charges.

In 1978, Mirtha was sentenced to three years in prison for drug-related crimes. This incarceration occurred when her daughter was just an infant, separating mother and child during critical bonding years.

During her imprisonment, Kristina was placed in the care of her maternal grandfather. This arrangement ensured the baby had stable, loving care while both parents faced legal consequences.

Prison became a turning point for Mirtha Jung. Separated from drugs, her daughter, and her husband, she faced the full reality of her choices and their devastating consequences.

The three years behind bars forced Mirtha into sobriety and self-reflection. She realized that her revolving life around drugs and crime was destroying any chance of being a proper mother.

Mirtha made a conscious decision to change her life completely. She committed to getting clean, staying clean, and becoming the mother Kristina deserved upon her release.

Prison Transformation and Release

Mirtha Jung’s time in prison from 1978 to 1981 represented the catalyst for her complete life transformation. The experience forced her to confront addiction’s reality and her choices’ consequences.

Being separated from her infant daughter became Mirtha’s primary motivation for change. She realized Kristina needed a sober, stable mother rather than a drug-addicted criminal constantly at risk of imprisonment.

During her three-year sentence, Mirtha worked intensively on overcoming cocaine addiction. Without access to drugs and with time for reflection, she began the difficult recovery process.

She participated in available rehabilitation programs and counseling sessions. These interventions helped her understand addiction’s psychological aspects and develop coping strategies for maintaining sobriety.

Mirtha also used prison time to envision a different future. She recognized that returning to George and the drug world would lead only to more arrests, addiction, or death.

The physical withdrawal from cocaine was difficult, but the psychological work proved even more challenging. Mirtha had to rebuild her identity beyond the drug world’s excitement and wealth.

In 1981, after serving her full three-year sentence, Mirtha was released from prison. She emerged as a fundamentally changed woman committed to sobriety and rebuilding her relationship with daughter Kristina.

Upon release, Mirtha remained completely abstinent from drugs—a commitment she has maintained for over 45 years as of 2026. This represents one of the most remarkable aspects of her transformation.

She immediately focused on reuniting with Kristina, who had been living with her grandfather. Rebuilding this mother-daughter bond became Mirtha’s primary purpose and motivation.

However, Mirtha’s commitment to sobriety and legitimate life created fundamental incompatibility with George, who continued his drug trafficking operations despite her imprisonment and transformation.

Divorce from George Jung

Mirtha Jung’s decision to divorce George Jung in 1984 represented the final step in her complete separation from her criminal past. Their seven-year marriage officially ended as their life paths diverged completely.

According to reports, Mirtha had decided to divorce George while still in prison. Watching him continue drug trafficking despite her arrest and their daughter’s needs made reconciliation impossible.

George’s refusal to quit the drug business became the final straw. While Mirtha worked toward sobriety and stability, George remained committed to the lifestyle that had destroyed their family.

The divorce proceedings occurred while George was deeply involved in trafficking operations. He continued working with the Medellin Cartel, making millions while facing constant arrest risk.

Mirtha filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences fundamentally rooted in their opposed life directions. She chose sobriety, stability, and motherhood; he chose drugs, crime, and wealth.

The divorce was finalized in 1984, legally ending their partnership. Mirtha retained primary custody of Kristina, determined to provide her daughter with a stable, drug-free upbringing.

Following the divorce, George eventually married Ronda Clay Spinelli. He lived with Ronda in San Diego during periods between his multiple incarcerations for drug trafficking.

In 1994, George was arrested and sentenced to 60 years in prison. However, his sentence was reduced to 20 years after testifying against his former partner Carlos Lehder.

George Jung was released from prison on June 2, 2014, after serving over two decades behind bars. He died on May 5, 2021, at age 78 from liver and kidney failure.

It remains unclear whether Mirtha ever remarried after divorcing George. She has maintained extraordinary privacy about her personal life, with no confirmed reports of subsequent marriages or long-term relationships.

Career as Poet, Entrepreneur, and Writer

Following her divorce and commitment to legitimate life, Mirtha Jung reinvented herself professionally. She pursued careers as a poet, entrepreneur, and writer—using creative expression for healing and growth.

Her poetry became an outlet for processing the trauma, addiction, and transformation she experienced. Writing allowed her to articulate complex emotions about her past while building new identity.

Mirtha also ventured into entrepreneurship, though specific details about her business endeavors remain private. Her entrepreneurial spirit suggests she applied the determination that once fueled criminal activity toward legitimate ventures.

After the 2001 release of “Blow,” Mirtha gained renewed public attention. The film starring Johnny Depp as George and Penelope Cruz as Mirtha brought their story to international audiences.

Director Ted Demme reportedly told Mirtha that his film portrayal was “a personal time machine” built for her. She attended the movie’s first screening and publicly expressed positive reactions.

However, significant differences existed between Mirtha’s reality and the film’s dramatized version. The movie took creative liberties, particularly regarding timeline and some events’ attribution to different characters.

Notably, the film shows Mirtha suggesting George take custody of Kristina—something that never occurred in reality. The real Mirtha fought to maintain custody and provide proper maternal care.

The movie’s massive success brought intense media speculation and scrutiny. This prompted Mirtha to tell her own story through her memoir “Recovery from Blow.”

Co-authored with daughter Kristina Sunshine Jung, “Recovery from Blow” was published on November 16, 2018. The book provided behind-the-scenes details about the movie’s production and Mirtha’s lived experiences.

The memoir began by recounting director Ted Demme’s death on January 13, 2002. After the movie’s completion, Demme and Mirtha had become close friends, and his passing prompted her reflection.

The book featured a fragmented narrative structure reflecting Mirtha’s memories and processing of past events. It fleshed out details from the film while presenting Mirtha’s own perspective.

Through her writing, Mirtha has contributed to conversations about addiction recovery, redemption, and the human capacity for transformation. Her story inspires those struggling with similar challenges.

Relationship with Daughter Kristina Sunshine Jung

Kristina Sunshine Jung was born on August 1, 1978, during the height of her parents’ involvement in drug trafficking. Her early childhood was marked by instability as both parents faced addiction and legal troubles.

After Mirtha’s 1978 arrest and imprisonment, infant Kristina was raised primarily by her maternal grandfather. This arrangement provided stability during her mother’s three-year incarceration and early recovery period.

The separation during Kristina’s infancy created challenges in their mother-daughter relationship. Mirtha had missed critical bonding years and needed to rebuild connection after her release.

Kristina experienced the trauma of having both parents involved in crime and addiction. Growing up without consistent parental presence left emotional scars requiring years of healing.

Despite these challenges, Mirtha remained committed to rebuilding their relationship. Upon her release from prison in 1981, she focused intensely on being the mother Kristina deserved.

Mirtha raised Kristina as a single mother following her 1984 divorce from George. She worked to provide stability and normalcy, completely removed from the drug world.

As Kristina grew older, she struggled with her parents’ notorious reputation. The 2001 release of “Blow” brought renewed attention to the family’s dark past when Kristina was in her early twenties.

Initially, the film’s release complicated Kristina’s relationship with both parents. She had to process her childhood trauma publicly while the world learned intimate family details.

However, Kristina eventually reconnected with both parents in meaningful ways. She spoke with George multiple times during and after his imprisonment, working toward forgiveness and understanding.

Her relationship with Mirtha has remained steady and strengthened over time. Their partnership in creating the 2018 book “Recovery from Blow” demonstrated their healed bond.

Kristina has publicly spoken about forgiveness, healing, and growth. She acknowledges the pain of growing up without parents but also recognizes their struggles and transformation.

As of 2026, Kristina Sunshine Jung is a successful businesswoman, motivational speaker, and actress. She runs a clothing brand called BG Apparel and Merchandise honoring her family’s complex history.

Kristina was previously married to Romain Kara, and the couple had a daughter named Athena Romina Karan. Tragically, Athena died in a car accident on January 16, 2021, at just 19 years old.

This devastating loss brought the family closer together. Mirtha supported Kristina through the unimaginable grief of losing a child, demonstrating their strengthened relationship.

The “Blow” Movie and Public Perception

The 2001 biographical crime film “Blow” brought Mirtha Jung’s story to international audiences. Directed by Ted Demme, the film focused primarily on George Jung’s life while prominently featuring their relationship.

Johnny Depp portrayed George Jung with characteristic intensity and depth. His performance captured George’s charisma, ambition, and eventual downfall through addiction and imprisonment.

Academy Award winner Penelope Cruz portrayed Mirtha Jung in a memorable performance. Cruz brought complexity to the role, showing Mirtha as beautiful, dangerous, addicted, and ultimately destructive.

The film depicted their meeting in Colombia, whirlwind romance, marriage, involvement in drug trafficking, shared addiction, and eventual divorce. It captured the lifestyle’s glamour and ultimate devastation.

However, the movie took significant creative liberties with actual events. Some timeline details were altered, certain events were dramatized, and some character actions were attributed to different people.

One major deviation involved the portrayal of Mirtha’s prison transformation and rehabilitation. The film attributed a similar redemption arc to George rather than accurately showing Mirtha’s actual journey.

The scene suggesting Mirtha offered George custody of Kristina has no real-life basis. In reality, Mirtha fought to maintain custody and provide maternal care after her release.

Despite these inaccuracies, the film effectively conveyed the drug trade’s allure and danger. It showed how love, wealth, and addiction can intertwine with devastating consequences.

Mirtha attended the movie’s premiere and various promotional events. She maintained positive public statements about the film despite its dramatizations and creative interpretations.

Director Ted Demme became close friends with Mirtha during production. He told her the film was like “a personal time machine” allowing her to revisit and process past experiences.

After the film’s release, Mirtha gave interviews to select publications including a Texas newspaper. However, she quickly retreated from public spotlight, preferring privacy over celebrity.

The movie significantly impacted public perception of Mirtha Jung. Many viewed her sympathetically as a woman caught in addiction and dangerous circumstances, while others criticized her choices.

“Blow” became a cultural phenomenon, earning over $83 million worldwide. It introduced George and Mirtha Jung’s story to millions who had never heard of the notorious couple.

The film’s success also renewed interest in the real people behind the characters. This eventually led to Mirtha’s decision to publish her memoir “Recovery from Blow” in 2018.

Net Worth and Financial Status

As of 2026, Mirtha Jung’s estimated net worth is approximately $1 million according to various sources. This represents a dramatic decrease from the wealth she accumulated during her years in drug trafficking.

At the height of George Jung’s drug smuggling operations in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the couple reportedly earned approximately $30 million monthly. Their combined net worth reached an estimated $100 million.

This extraordinary wealth funded an incredibly lavish lifestyle. They purchased luxury homes, expensive cars, designer clothes, jewelry, and traveled extensively to exotic destinations worldwide.

However, all of this ill-gotten wealth eventually disappeared. The combination of arrests, legal fees, seized assets, imprisonment, and lifestyle excess depleted their fortune.

During her divorce from George in 1984, Mirtha reportedly lost significant wealth. Asset division, legal costs, and the illegitimate nature of much wealth made financial recovery challenging.

Following her release from prison and divorce, Mirtha focused on legitimate income sources. Her work as a poet, entrepreneur, and writer provided modest but honest earnings.

The 2001 release of “Blow” likely provided some financial compensation. Though details remain undisclosed, Mirtha probably received payments for her story’s film rights and consultancy during production.

Her 2018 memoir “Recovery from Blow” represents another income source. Book sales, potential speaking engagements, and related opportunities contribute to her current financial status.

Despite her reduced wealth compared to drug trafficking days, Mirtha appears financially comfortable. Her estimated $1 million net worth suggests successful management of legitimate income and careful financial planning.

Mirtha has demonstrated that she values peace, sobriety, and family relationships over material wealth. Her choice to live privately and modestly reflects transformed priorities.

In stark contrast, George Jung died in 2021 with an estimated net worth of only $10,000 according to Celebrity Net Worth. Despite once being worth $100 million, he died essentially broke.

Current Life in 2026

As of 2026, Mirtha Jung is 73 years old and living a very private life. She has deliberately chosen to stay away from public spotlight, social media, and media interviews.

Most details about her current daily life remain unknown. Mirtha prefers this privacy and has successfully maintained boundaries despite public curiosity about her whereabouts and activities.

She reportedly lives quietly somewhere in the United States, though her exact location is undisclosed. This geographic privacy protects her from unwanted attention and allows peaceful living.

Mirtha is still alive and appears to be in good health for her age. She has successfully maintained her sobriety for over 45 years since her 1981 prison release.

Her focus remains on personal well-being, family relationships, and peaceful living. The excitement and danger of her youth have been replaced with calm, stable routines.

She does not maintain any known social media accounts. No verified Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or other social media profiles exist for Mirtha Jung as of 2026.

Several accounts claiming to be Mirtha exist online, but none are authenticated. She has chosen not to participate in the social media culture that dominates modern life.

Her relationship with daughter Kristina Sunshine Jung remains strong and steady. They maintain regular contact and support each other through life’s challenges, particularly after Athena’s tragic death.

Mirtha occasionally sees or communicates with extended family members. She maintains these important connections while avoiding public exposure or media attention.

She has not been involved in any criminal activities since her 1984 divorce and has completely distanced herself from the drug world. This represents over 42 years of clean, law-abiding living.

Mirtha reportedly spends her time on creative pursuits including poetry and writing. These activities provide fulfillment and continue her personal growth journey.

She may also be involved in quiet advocacy or support for addiction recovery, though no public statements confirm this. Her story naturally inspires others struggling with similar challenges.

Unlike George Jung, who gave interviews and maintained some public presence after his release, Mirtha chose complete privacy. This decision reflects her desire to move beyond her notorious past.

There are no confirmed reports of Mirtha remarrying or having other children. She appears content with her current life focused on daughter Kristina and grandchildren.

Lessons and Legacy

Mirtha Jung’s life story offers profound lessons about consequences, redemption, and human transformation capacity. Her journey from drug cartel member to reformed poet and entrepreneur demonstrates that change is possible.

Her early life choices led to addiction, imprisonment, and family destruction. These consequences could have defined her permanently, but she chose differently during her critical prison transformation.

The decision to get sober and stay sober for over 45 years represents extraordinary willpower and commitment. Overcoming cocaine addiction—especially after years of heavy use—requires tremendous strength.

Mirtha’s prioritization of her daughter’s wellbeing over drug lifestyle glamour shows genuine love and sacrifice. Choosing to be a proper mother meant giving up wealth, excitement, and her marriage.

Her story demonstrates that people involved in crime are not beyond redemption. With proper motivation, support, and personal commitment, even those deep in criminal life can transform completely.

The contrast between Mirtha’s transformation and George’s continued criminal involvement proves that change requires personal choice. Despite loving each other, their different choices led to completely different outcomes.

Mirtha’s decision to maintain privacy after “Blow” shows wisdom and self-protection. She recognized that constantly reliving past traumas serves no beneficial purpose for healing and growth.

Her collaboration with Kristina on “Recovery from Blow” models healthy family reconciliation. Despite the pain caused by Mirtha’s choices, they rebuilt their relationship through honesty and forgiveness.

The tragedy of granddaughter Athena’s death reminds us that even transformed lives face continuing challenges. Mirtha’s support for Kristina during this loss demonstrates her growth into a present, supportive mother.

Her estimated $1 million net worth versus the $100 million she once possessed illustrates that true wealth is measured differently. Peace, sobriety, and family relationships prove more valuable than illegal riches.

Mirtha Jung’s legacy is one of both caution and hope. Her early life warns about drugs and crime’s devastating consequences, while her transformation offers hope that change is always possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mirtha Jung age of 73 years in 2026 represents more than just the passage of time—it symbolizes a remarkable journey of transformation spanning over four decades.

From her birth in Cuba on December 3, 1952, through her dangerous years in the Medellin Cartel, to her current peaceful private life, Mirtha’s story captures the extremes of human experience.

Her estimated net worth of $1 million, while modest compared to the $100 million she once possessed, reflects a life rebuilt on legitimate foundations rather than criminal enterprise.

Her seven-year marriage to George Jung from 1977 to 1984 defined her public image, yet her subsequent 42 years of sobriety and legitimate living truly define her character.

The decision to divorce George and commit completely to motherhood and recovery required courage that matched the recklessness of her earlier criminal life.

Her relationship with daughter Kristina Sunshine Jung has healed and strengthened, evidenced by their collaboration on “Recovery from Blow” in 2018.