Frank Lucas is a name synonymous with the Harlem drug trade of the 1970s. His empire was built on an infamous heroin operation, earning him both fortune and infamy. But behind this powerful figure stood a woman who played an equally intriguing role in his life—his wife, Julianna Farrait. Often referred to as the “Black Bonnie and Clyde,” their relationship was filled with love, loyalty, luxury, and law enforcement pursuits.
But who was Frank Lucas’ wife, Eva Kendo? Despite the confusion over her name, her real identity is Julianna Farrait, a former Puerto Rican beauty queen who became deeply involved in Frank Lucas’ empire.
Early Life of Julianna Farrait
Julianna Farrait was born in Puerto Rico around 1941 and was raised in an affluent household. Her background was starkly different from that of Frank Lucas, who grew up in the rough neighborhoods of North Carolina and Harlem. As a young woman, she was known for her beauty and grace, even earning the title of homecoming queen.
Her early life was one of comfort and privilege, which makes her eventual transition into the dangerous world of drug trafficking all the more fascinating. Before she met Frank Lucas, her aspirations were likely far from a life of crime, yet love and loyalty led her down an unexpected path.
Meeting Frank Lucas
Julianna and Frank’s story began in the 1960s on a flight from Puerto Rico to New York. It was on this journey that their fates became intertwined. Frank was already rising in the criminal underworld, and Julianna found herself drawn to his confidence and charisma.
The two struck up a conversation—one that would change their lives forever. Frank later recalled in his autobiography, Original Gangster: The Real Life Story of One of America’s Most Notorious Drug Lords, that he knew Julianna was interested when she kept smiling at him. In 1967, they married and welcomed a daughter, Francine, in 1985.
“The first time I met Frank, I was completely taken back by his confidence and coolness,” Julianna shared in a 2007 interview with Village Voice. “He was a very self-assured man, which I found very attractive. And I still do.”
Though they fell in love quickly, they came from entirely different worlds. Julianna’s background was simple, but Frank believed she needed a more lavish appearance to match his rising status. “There was nothing fabulous about her,” he wrote. “Her clothes were boring and basic and not good quality. I had to get her fixed up so she could look the part of Frank Lucas’s wife.”
Life as the Wife of a Drug Lord
Marrying Frank Lucas meant stepping into a world of opulence and danger. With his drug empire thriving, money was no object. Julianna Farrait quickly adapted to this newfound wealth, indulging in expensive gifts and an extravagant lifestyle.
One of the most infamous symbols of their wealth was the $125,000 chinchilla coat and $40,000 matching hat that Frank wore to the 1971 Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier fight at Madison Square Garden. This purchase, a gift from Julianna, unintentionally put them in the spotlight, catching the attention of law enforcement. Their penchant for luxury was a double-edged sword—while it brought them status, it also contributed to their downfall.
Julianna fondly recalled another extravagant gift from Frank—a cream-colored Mercedes with a pure leather interior, a token of his deep affection.
The Downfall Triggered by Extravagance
The Ali-Frazier fight was a turning point. Frank had been operating in the shadows, but his courtside presence in an extravagant fur coat made him a prime target for law enforcement. His visibility raised questions about his wealth, leading investigators to dig deeper into his activities.
There were several detectives in the audience that night who noticed Frank Lucas. Not only was he wearing an expensive coat, but he had better seats than Frank Sinatra and even Vice President Spiro Agnew. This added fuel to law enforcement’s suspicions, increasing their scrutiny of his activities.
Even prosecutor Richie Roberts, the man responsible for taking Frank down, later admitted, “Law enforcement knew of him, but certainly it brought a lot more attention onto him, that coat.”
Julianna herself later acknowledged that their flashy lifestyle played a role in their demise. “I often think back to that particular gift many times. I don’t believe it helped the police notice who he was, because, by then, they were already suspicious, but I do believe it brought attention from others—both positive and negative.”
Legal Troubles and Incarceration
In 1975, a raid on their Teaneck, New Jersey home led to the couple’s arrest. As authorities stormed the house, Julianna panicked and threw suitcases full of $584,000 out the window, screaming, “Take it all, take it all!” according to New York Magazine.
Frank was sentenced to 70 years in prison, while Julianna received six months behind bars. With Frank in prison, Julianna was placed in the witness protection program along with their children.
However, when Frank was released early in 1982, Julianna became more involved in his crimes than ever before. In 1983, she took their daughter Francine to Las Vegas under the guise of a mother-daughter trip—when, in reality, she was conducting a drug deal. But the FBI caught on, and she was arrested once again.
Life After Prison and Continued Crime
Julianna and Frank’s love endured despite multiple arrests and separations. However, she found herself in legal trouble again in 2010 when she was arrested in Puerto Rico for attempting to sell cocaine to an informant. At 69 years old, she was sentenced to five years in prison.
During her trial, she asked for “mercy and compassion”, explaining that she wanted to take care of her 81-year-old husband in his final years.
Final Years and Legacy
Julianna largely stayed out of the public eye after Frank Lucas’ death in 2019. According to The New York Times, she had already passed away before him, though details surrounding her death remain scarce.
Unlike Frank, who was eager to share his life story, Julianna preferred to stay in the shadows. Though she lived a life filled with wealth, crime, and consequences, she remained deeply loyal to Frank Lucas until the very end.
Their story, often romanticized as the “Black Bonnie and Clyde,” is a complex tale of love, crime, and unwavering loyalty—one that will forever remain part of American history.