The history of female criminality in the United States is a complex and multifaceted one, shaped by various social, economic, and cultural factors. While women have always been involved in criminal activities to some extent, their roles and the types of crimes they committed have evolved over time. For the sake of historical documentation, we shall be discussing the top 10 most notorious female criminals in America’s history.

Prior to the 19th century, women in America were mostly accused of crimes such as witchcraft, and their involvement in criminal activities was relatively limited. However as the United States underwent significant social and economic changes in the 19th century, women’s societal roles began to shift. Some women found themselves often working and living in harsh conditions and gave in to criminality. This period saw an increase in female criminality, particularly in cases of theft, prostitution, and other forms of petty crime.

The Prohibition era of the 1920s and early 1930s worsened the entire scenario and brought about a rise in organized crime, and the rise of women in illegal activities, World War II saw a return to traditional gender roles, however, the women’s liberation movement gained momentum not much later. The movement was accompanied by an increase in female involvement in various types of crimes, including white-collar crimes, drug offenses, and violent crimes.

Since then, American women have continued to be involved in a wide range of criminal activities. While they are still underrepresented compared to men in most types of crime, they have made notable appearances as leaders in organized crime, drug trafficking, and cybercrime. So without further ado, here are the 10 most notorious Female criminals in America’s history. These women represent a range of criminal activities and have left a lasting impact on American criminal history and popular culture.

Table of Contents

1. Bonnie Parker (1910-1934)

Bonnie Parker, was one half of the infamous criminal couple known as “Bonnie and Clyde.” She is no doubt the most notorious female criminal in America’s history, best known for her involvement in a crime spree during the Great Depression era in the 1930s.

Bonnie alongside Clyde were notorious criminals who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression. They were involved in a string of bank robberies, burglaries, and murders across several states in the central United States. The pair gained notoriety not only for their criminal activities but also for their ability to elude law enforcement.

Their criminal activities often escalated into violent confrontations with law enforcement. According to verified reports, the couple killed twelve people, including nine law enforcement officers during their two years of criminal activity. Their criminal spree came to a violent end on May 23, 1934, when law enforcement officers ambushed and killed them in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

2. Aileen Wuornos (1956-2002 )

Aileen Wuornos was a serial killer who gained notoriety for her crimes in the late 1980s and early 1990s. while engaging in street prostitution along highways in Florida, She shot dead and robbed seven of her male clients. With such a criminal profile, Aillen is doubt as one of the most notorious female criminals in America’s history

Wuornos claimed that her clients had either raped or attempted to rape her and that the homicides of the men were committed in self-defense. Her case garnered significant media attention and sparked discussions about her background, mental health, and the nature of her crimes.

Wuornos was sentenced to death for six of the murders. She was executed on October 9, 2002, by lethal injection after spending more than 10 years on Florida’s death row. Her story was the basis for the 2003 film “Monster,” starring Charlize Theron as Wuornos, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the serial killer.

3. Ma Barker (1873 -1935)

Ma Barker, whose real name was Arizona Donnie Barker, was an American criminal who gained notoriety as the mother and a ruthless crime matriarch of the Barker-Karpis Gang, a notorious group of criminals active during the early 1930s. J. Edgar Hoover described her as “the most vicious, dangerous, and resourceful criminal brain of the last decade”.

Ma Barker’s life of crime revolved around her association with her four criminal sons: Herman, Lloyd, Arthur, and Fred Barker. The Barker-Karpis Gang, also known as the Barker Gang, was involved in a variety of criminal activities, including bank robberies, kidnappings, and other violent crimes during the Great Depression.

Ma Barker’s role within the gang is a subject of debate among historians. While some believe she actively participated in criminal activities, others suggest that she played a more passive role. She was however killed in a violent shootout with law enforcement on January 16, 1935, which occurred at their hideout in Ocklawaha, Florida.

4. Grieslda Blanco (1943-2012)

Griselda Blanco, also known as the “Black Widow” or “La Madrina,” was a notorious Colombian drug lord and one of the most no notorious female criminals in America’s history. She was a central figure in the Miami drug trade during the 1970s and 1980s and a key player in the infamous Medellín Cartel, one of the most powerful and dangerous drug trafficking organizations in the world.

Griselda was involved in various criminal activities, including drug smuggling, violence, and organized crime. She is best known for her role in smuggling large quantities of cocaine into the United States during the height of the drug epidemic in the 1980s. Her ruthless methods and involvement in numerous murders contributed to her fearsome reputation.

In 1985, Griselda Blanco was arrested and subsequently sentenced to prison in the United States on drug trafficking charges. She served time in various federal penitentiaries and was eventually deported to Colombia in the early 2000s after serving her sentence. Upon her return to Colombia, she continued to be involved in illegal activities and was killed in 2012 in a drive-by shooting.

5. Lizzie Borden (1860 -1927)

Lizzie Borden is a murder suspect and potential serial killer. She became infamous for her alleged involvement in a gruesome double murder of her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, on August 4, 1892. The said murders took place in the family home in Fall River. Lizzie Borden was arrested and charged with the murders, as she was in the house at the time of the killings.

The case garnered significant media attention and became a sensation in the United States. The trial, which took place in June 1893, was one of the most high-profile legal proceedings of the era. The prosecution argued that she had a motive and opportunity to commit the murders, while the defense claimed that there was insufficient evidence to convict her.

Historical reports noted that Lizzie’s testimony was inconsistent and there was an overwhelming amount of evidence against her, including the maid’s testimony. Despite this, She was ultimately acquitted of the charges, and the case remains one of the most enduring mysteries in American criminal history.

6. Nannie Doss (1905-1965)

Nannie Doss, whose real name was Nancy Hazle, was an American serial killer who gained notoriety in the mid-20th century. She was often referred to as the “Giggling Granny” or the “Jolly Black Widow” due to her seemingly cheerful demeanor, which masked her dark and murderous tendencies. She is no doubt one of the most notorious Female criminals in America’s history

Nannie Doss was responsible for the deaths of multiple family members, including husbands, children, and other relatives, over several decades. She used various methods to kill her victims, such as poisoning them with arsenic and other toxic substances. Doss’s motive for the killings was typically financial gain, as she would often collect life insurance payouts after the deaths of her husbands.

Nannie was eventually apprehended by law enforcement, and in 1955, she was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her fifth husband, Samuel Doss. Her case garnered significant media attention at the time. She died in prison in 1965. She was known to have killed at least 11 people, though some reports suggest the actual number may have been higher.

7. Jane Toppan (1857-1938)

Jane Toppan, also known as Honora Kelley, was a serial killer who operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is known to have committed twelve murders in Massachusetts between 1895 and 1901. She became popular after confessing that her ambition is to kill more helpless people than any man or woman who has ever lived.

Toppan worked as a nurse and used her position to administer lethal doses of drugs to her patients. Her motive for the murders seemed to be a combination of a desire for control and a fascination with death. She also confessed she derives pleasure from being present when her victims died and also felt a sexual thrill from the act of killing.

Jane’s crimes went undetected for years, she was arrested in 1901, and eventually confessed to the murders of at least 31 people, though the actual number of her victims remains a subject of debate. She was committed to a mental institution and spent the rest of her life there until her death in 1938.

8. Belle Gunness (1859-1908)

Belle Gunnes was a Norwegian-American serial killer who was active in Illinois and Indiana between 1884 and 1908. She is believed to have been responsible for the murders of over 40 people, including her own husbands, children, and a significant number of suitors who responded to her personal ads seeking romantic partners.

Belle operated on a farm in La Porte, Indiana, where she lured her victims with the promise of love, marriage, or financial security. Once they arrived, she would murder them, often through poisoning or other violent means, and then dispose of their bodies. She became infamous for her attempts to collect life insurance and other financial benefits after her victims’ deaths.

In April 1908, Belle’s farmhouse mysteriously burned down, and the remains of her and her children were found in the debris. Police investigations uncovered evidence of her gruesome crimes, including the remains of numerous other victims buried on her property. Ray Lamphere, Gunness’ hired hand was arrested for arson and later confessed that the body they uncovered was not that of Gunness and that she planned the whole thing to make her escape. She was never found again.

9. Sandra Ávila Beltrán

Sandra Ávila Beltrán is a Mexican drug lord, dubbed “La Reina del Pacífico” (The Queen of the Pacific) by the media. She was the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, and partner and lover of Colombian drug trafficker Juan Diego Espinos. She reportedly once controlled a big share of the drug trafficking between Colombia, Mexico, and the United States.

Sandra Ávila Beltrán’s notoriety stems from her family’s involvement in the drug trade and her relationships with prominent drug traffickers. She was arrested on September 28, 2007, and was charged with organized crime and conspiracy to drug trafficking. She was accused of helping to coordinate the transportation of large quantities of cocaine from Mexico to the United States.

In 2013, Ávila Beltrán pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of being an accessory after the fact in a drug trafficking conspiracy. She was sentenced to 70 months in prison but had already spent several years in custody, so her sentence resulted in her immediate release. Since then, she has largely stayed out of the public eye.

10. Patty Hearst

Patricia Campbell Hearst, popularly known as Patty Hearst, is an American heiress and media figure who became widely known for her involvement in a high-profile kidnapping case and subsequent criminal activities.

Patty was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974. She was however found and arrested 19 months after being abducted, by which time she was a fugitive wanted for serious crimes committed with members of the group.

At her trial, the prosecution suggested that Hearst had joined the Symbionese Liberation Army of her own volition. However, she testified that she had been raped and threatened with death while held captive.

In 1976, she was convicted of the crime of bank robbery and sentenced to 35 years in prison, later reduced to seven years. Her sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter, and she was later pardoned by President Bill Clinton. After her release, Patty Hearst returned to a more conventional life. Over the years, she has become a media personality, author, and actress.

Top 10 Most Notorious Female Criminals In America’s History