'Mob Wives' star Angela 'Big Ang' Raiola dead at 55, following fight with cancer

Angela "Big Ang" Raiola, best known as one of the most colorful personalities on VH1's reality series Mob Wives, has died following a battle with lung and brain cancer that began under a year ago. Raiola was 55.

The reality star's spokesperson confirmed the news on Twitter, posting a statement to Raiola's account early Thursday morning. "At 3:01 a.m. Angela Raiola peacefully ended her battle with cancer," he wrote. "She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family, and closest friends."

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This is @vinniemedugno on behalf of the family of Angela Raiola, please see below: pic.twitter.com/wiuPApr9Lw— Angela Raiola (@biggangVH1) February 18, 2016

Though Raiola was first hospitalized in April 2015, her death may come as a shock to fans -- especially since Big Ang appeared on The Dr. Oz Show just two days before her death, where she did admit that she'd been told her cancer gave her only a 30% chance of survival.

I watched Ang on Dr. Oz and it just breaks my heart to see her going through this... Me Carla Renee and Jen went to visit her the other day and although I wish I can tell you she's doing great I can't but I will say this Angela is a fighter there were a lot of tears a lot of laughter and a lot of real bonding moments it was great for us to just let our guards down and enjoy each others company without cameras in ours faces... That visit made me realize how strong this woman really is and no matter what she's going through she always puts her love for her family before anything!!! she puts on a brave face and a little makeup of course her eyelashes and she fights The battle for her life with dignity and grace and for that I will always admire her & value our Friendship.... #fuckcancer #prayersforbigang tomorrow is never promised for anyone so live each day Surrounded with people that love & support you and enjoy Gods plan @biggangvh1 love you ❤️ you got this A photo posted by Karen Gravano (@karengravano) on Feb 16, 2016 at 5:52pm PST

Initial reports that she had died on Wednesday night were deemed as "totally inaccurate" by her spokesperson.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE... pic.twitter.com/xxd2p7Ftqb— Angela Raiola (@biggangVH1) February 18, 2016

Raiola joined the cast of Mob Wives in its second season, which premiered in early 2012. She proved so popular that VH1 gave the breakout star her own spinoff, Big Ang, which debuted in the summer of that same year. It was later retooled into a second spinoff series, Miami Monkey, which lasted one season in 2013.