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How did George Jung die? Cocaine smuggler behind Johnny Depp-starrer 'Blow' dies with girlfriend by his side

'The man himself was far more magic than the myth,' wrote actor Denis Leary

Prominent drug smuggler George Jung aka Boston George, who was a major name in the cocaine trade in US in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 78. According to TMZ, Jung died on Wednesday, May 5, at his home in Boston. His death was announced on his Twitter account with a quote from the film 'Blow', which was inspired by his life. "May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face, and the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars. 1942-2021," read the tweet. 

With connections to the Medellin cartel and Pablo Escobar, in his youth George Jung helped smuggle enormous amounts of cocaine into the US. At one point, nearly 15 tons of the drug reportedly entered USA per day with Jung's help and a weekly haul earned him over $420 million. He was later arrested and served 20 years of prison sentence, before being released in 2014. However, two years later, he was sent back to jail for violating parole and eventually released in 2017.

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How did George Jung die? 

Nicknamed Boston George and El Americano, George Jung was born on August 6, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Weymouth. After his time in prison, he returned to Weymouth again in 2017 and stayed there till his death. 

He had been at home hospice care since the past weekend, according to TMZ. Though the exact cause of his death is not known, it has been found that he was lately suffering from liver and kidney failure. 

George Jung breathed his last surrounded by his girlfriend Rhonda and friend Roger by his side. His loved ones have announced that he will be cremated.

Jung is survived by his estranged daughter Kristina Sunshine Jung, with whom he had reconciled in the last few years. His life and criminal legacy was portrayed in the 2001 biopic, 'Blow', based on the book, 'Blow: How a Small-Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellin Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All'. Johnny Depp essayed the role of Boston George in the movie, which also starred Penelope Cruz. 

'The man himself was far more magic than the myth'

George Jung's death was mourned by social media users who recalled his colorful past. "The man himself was far more magic than the myth. Truly one of a kind. RIP George Jung. AKA Boston George #ForeverJung," tweeted actor Denis Leary.

"@JenniferGimenez and @AManInRecovery are crushed at the loss of our Brother #BostonGeorgeJung Fly free #TimJenn #Blow #Outlaw #Friend #BostonGeorge #GodSpeed," tweeted recovery advocate and TEDx speaker Tim Ryan.

Actress and TV personality Jennifer Gimenez wrote, "The man who changed my life 20 Yrs ago & in recent Yrs became a father like figure to me passed away today Boston George. George Jung was truly 1 of the most prolific human beings I’ve ever met. You will be missed Georgie."