Who Is Osiel Cárdenas Guillén? Age, Biography and Wiki
Osiel Cárdenas Guillén was born on May 18, 1967. As of 2025, he is 57 years old. Cárdenas is notoriously known for his role as a prominent figure in the Gulf Cartel and his leadership over the group during a tumultuous time in Mexican drug history. His reign in the drug trade was marked by extreme violence and a series of power struggles, leading to his arrest in 2003 and subsequent extradition to the United States in 2007. Throughout his life, he has been a subject of fascination and a point of discussion regarding the complexities of the drug trade in Mexico.
| Occupation | King |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 18, 1967 |
| Age | 58 Years |
| Birth Place | Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Mexico |
Popularity
Osiel Cárdenas Guillén's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén's exact height and weight are not publicly documented given his long-time status as a fugitive and subsequent imprisonment. However, based on historical records, he is estimated to be around 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm) and weighed approximately 170 pounds (77 kg) during his active years in the drug trade. His physical statistics may have changed over years due to the various conditions of his incarcerations.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Information regarding Osiel Cárdenas Guillén’s family is limited, as is typical for individuals in his position. He has been associated with various women in his life; however, specific details about a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife are not publicly known. It’s reported that his tumultuous lifestyle affects personal relationships, which often remain cloaked in secrecy.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimating Osiel Cárdenas Guillén’s net worth is complex due to the illicit nature of his activities. At the peak of his drug trafficking career, his net worth was speculated to be in the hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars. However, following his arrests and confiscation of assets, his liquid assets have significantly diminished. In 2025, his exact financial standing remains unclear, but he likely faces substantial legal challenges and restitution obligations that impact any residual wealth.
Career, Business and Investments
Cárdenas's career began in the late 1990s, where he initially served as a lieutenant before rising to lead the Gulf Cartel. Under his leadership, the cartel expanded its operations significantly, establishing networks for drug trafficking across borders. Despite his notoriety, he was arrested and received a prison sentence of 25 years, and his criminal enterprises have largely diminished since.
Following his incarceration, there have been various rumors and reports about businesses involved in legal fronts; however, these haven’t been substantiated with verifiable evidence and remain largely speculative until further information emerges.
Following Juan García Abrego's 1996 arrest by Mexican authorities and subsequent extradition to the United States, his brother Humberto García Abrego tried to take over the leadership of the Gulf Cartel but ultimately failed, having neither the leadership skills nor the support of the Colombian drug-provisioners.
In addition, he was widely known and under surveillance; his surname alone guaranteed this. He was to be replaced by Óscar Malherbe de León and Raúl Valladares del Ángel, until their arrest a short time later. This led several cartel lieutenants to fight for the leadership.
Malherbe tried to bribe officials with $2 million to obtain his release, but it was denied. Hugo Baldomero Medina Garza, known as El Señor de los Tráilers, is considered one of the most important members of the Gulf Cartel.
He was one of the top cartel officials for more than 40 years, trafficking about 20 LT of cocaine to the United States each month. His luck ended in November 2000 when he was captured in Tampico, Tamaulipas and imprisoned in La Palma.
After Medina Garza's arrest, his cousin Adalberto Garza Dragustinovis was investigated for allegedly forming part of the Gulf Cartel and for laundering money; this case is still open. The next in line was Sergio Gómez alias El Checo, however, his leadership was short-lived when he was assassinated in April 1996 in Valle Hermoso.
After this, Cárdenas took control of the cartel in July 1999 after assassinating Salvador Gómez Herrera alias El Chava, co-leader of the Gulf Cartel and his close friend, earning his nickname Mata Amigos (Friend Killer).
Social Network
While Cárdenas might not be active on conventional social media platforms, his life and activities have been heavily documented and discussed in various online forums, documentaries, and articles. His story continues to attract attention on platforms focusing on crime and historical events, showcasing the social implications of his actions during his reign in the drug world.
Education
Osiel Cárdenas Guillén’s educational background is largely unknown. Reports suggest he had limited formal education, which is often common in the environment he grew up in. His tactical and strategic skills in the drug trade were likely informed more by personal experience and street-smart instincts rather than formal schooling.
As we look into 2025, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén remains an enigmatic figure, whose life story poses critical questions about crime, power, and the complex reality of drug trafficking in Mexico and beyond.
