'Love You My Babies': Mob Wives Star 'Big Ang' Angela Raiola Loses Battle With Cancer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Angela "Big Ang" Raiola from the reality TV series "Mob Wives" has died following a nearly yearlong battle with cancer.

Series producer Jennifer Graziano says Raiola, 55, died early Thursday morning at around 3 a.m. at a New York City hospital while surrounded by family and friends.

She had been diagnosed in March 2015 with throat cancer that spread to her brain and lungs.

Even as she fought the disease, the native New Yorker remained the candid, colorful figure that viewers came to know on VH1's "Mob Wives" and Raiola's two sequels.

Vinnie Medugno released a statement on behalf of Raiola's family on her Twitter page Thursday morning.

"She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family and closest friends. YOU, (her fans) were some of the most special people in the world, and she loved you immensely," the statement read.

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"In typical Big Ang fashion, we know she would say 'Love you my babies!'" the statement continued.

According to the statement, Raiola's family has asked for privacy in wake of Raiola's death.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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