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Mob Wives Season 2 - Ramona Rizzo Credit:  Piotr Sikora for Vh1 Networks

Ramona Rizzo

Ramona Rizzo is no stranger to the mob lifestyle. She is the granddaughter of the infamous Benjamin Ruggiero aka Lefty Guns who was played by Al Pacino in the movie Donnie Brasco. 

Ramona grew up with Karen Gravano and Renee Graziano as they all shared a similar mafia upbringing in Staten Island. Ramona and Karen grew up very close. They have been together since the age of two, made their first communions together and even refer to themselves as "cousins." Although not blood related, some would say they are closer than some cousins who are. What was different for Ramona was that although her family was connected, they tried to keep it very secret, even amongst their own community. 

They especially tried to keep it from their children. Ramona, who had a very close bond with her grandfather, longed for a different life as she was very turned off by the fact that he had to spend so many years in prison. 

Enamored by the finer things in life, she didn't turn too far away from her upbringing, even though she married a man of Arab descent. His business dealings were also connected to "the lifestyle." Ramona's family was not happy with her choice as they wanted so much more for their daughter - a doctor, a lawyer, a legitimate man. Ramona ran off with her soon to be husband and father of her four kids. They lived the high life until Ramona discovered that her husband's business was still built on lies and deception. They moved from mansion to mansion in the United States to palaces in the Middle East. When Ramona tried to divorce him, he refused to let her leave his country. Stuck in Jordan for two years, she fought tooth and nail to get herself and her kids back to the United States, even though her husband told her that if she leaves, she leaves with nothing. But this master manipulator could not stop Ramona, and she has returned to the US so that she can give her kids a "normal" lifestyle. 

Upon returning to the States, she was faced with the repercussions of her husband's business misdeeds and had two criminal cases against her. She is now on her own raising four kids without the means she was accustomed to her entire life. Tough as nails, Ramona is determined to get her life back on track, make amends with her parents, trust a man again, and give her kids the lifestyle she had growing up. Nothing can stand in her way....cause she will knock it down. - VH1

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Mob Wives executive producer Jenn Graziano told the NYPost  “Karen and Ramona grew up together, did their First Communion together and slept over each other’s houses. They’re really close and call each other ‘cousins.’ They’re probably tighter than real blood cousins, but they’re not related.”
Follow Ramona Rizzo on Twitter @RamonaRizzoVH1 and follow Karen Gravano on Twitter: @KarenGravanoVH1.

Karen, Jenn Graziano, Ramona Credit: Ramona Rizzo Twitter

About Mob Wives 2
The second season of "Mob Wives" picks up where the first left off -- with each cast member dealing with major personal life issues. The rift between Karen and Drita is far from over -- will they ever be able to 'bury the hatchet'? Renee goes under the knife for major plastic surgery that may have some unexpected consequences, while also contemplating her future with her ex-husband Junior. Drita is considering her options when it comes to leaving her husband Lee -- while Carla's relationship with her estranged husband Joe may take an unexpected twist. And, of course, everyone wants to know what's in Karen's soon-to-be-released book -- the one she moved back to New York to write!

Last season, "Mob Wives" gave viewers an unfiltered look into the closed-door society of Renee, Karen, Carla and Drita, four struggling "allegedly" associated women who have to pick up the pieces and carry on while their husbands or fathers do time for Mob-related activities. United by a bond which few understand, the women are all struggling with their identities and their futures as they raise their kids as single parents in the New York City area. - VH1